The Role of the Evangelist: Public Proclamation
Evangelism is not simply the responsibility of an isolated few; it is a calling for the entire church. However, the role of the evangelist is to publicly proclaim the gospel, as Paul charged Pastor Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5: “Do the work of an evangelist.” The church, broadly speaking, is called to witness in both personal and public ways, but evangelists hold a special responsibility for public declaration.
The Lausanne Movement has historically emphasized the importance of proclamation evangelism, starting with its original 1974 statement: “The Whole Church taking the Whole Gospel to the Whole World.” This call has always recognized the crucial role evangelists play in bringing the gospel to new audiences. Proclamation evangelism is about taking the message of Christ to those who might never encounter it in personal conversations or small group settings. Throughout Scripture, different Greek words distinguish between private dialogue and public proclamation. The verb kerusso (I proclaim) is consistently used to describe public proclamation, while euaggelitzo refers to a broader sense of evangelism, including sharing the Gospel in personal conversations.
In Mark 5:19-20, for example, Jesus instructed the demon-possessed man to tell his people what the Lord had done, and the man then proclaimed (kerusso) it in the Decapolis. This distinction is important because it emphasizes the unique task of public proclamation. The same distinction is present in Acts 8:4-5: The early Christians evangelized (euaggelizomenoi), sharing the good news wherever they went, while Philip proclaimed (kerusso) the Messiah.
Kumar Abraham’s book, “Reigniting Proclamation Evangelism,” is a helpful Global South contribution to this topic. Kumar reminds us that the English translations, which sometimes conflate preaching and proclaiming, obscure the unique role of the evangelist as one who publicly declares the good news.
Throughout history, evangelists have been instrumental in expanding the Kingdom of God. From Philip proclaiming Christ in Samaria (Acts 8:5) to modern-day figures like John Sung, Billy Graham, Luis Palau public proclamation has been key to bringing the Gospel to new audiences. This role remains vital, even as methods evolve. Evangelism is for all believers, but evangelists have a distinct role in publicly proclaiming Christ to larger audiences. The Seoul Statement’s use of the term “herald” in paragraph 45 reinforces this and opens the door to innovate around new ways of doing this in our digital age.
A Call To Reclaim Proclamation Evangelism
As the global church continues to engage in holistic mission—focused on justice, compassion, and cultural engagement—we must ensure that these efforts do not eclipse our primary task: proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. Evangelist Will Graham captured this urgency during the Lausanne Congress: “The necessity of proclamation evangelism is as great today as ever, even in a world that seeks to cancel Christ and the Bible.”
The question before us is simple: Where have all the evangelists gone? The truth is, they are still here—though perhaps in new and evolving forms. Now is the time for the church to empower evangelists, equip the next generation, and ensure that the Gospel is boldly proclaimed in every sphere of society. Without the public proclamation of the Gospel, the church risks losing its prophetic voice and its missional edge. The future of the church depends on reclaiming proclamation evangelism and reprioritizing the gift of the evangelist. Let us rise to this challenge, ensuring that the message of Christ is declared in every culture and context, for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom.
References
Abraham, Kumar. Reigniting Proclamation Evangelism. 2021.
Macdonald, Andrew. “Lausanne Daily Dispatch: Powerful Worship and a New Seoul Statement.” Wheaton Billy Graham Center, September 26, 2024.
Ministry Voice. “Exploring the Meaning of Kerux in Greek.” Ministry Voice, 20 September 2024. www.ministryvoice.com/kerux-in-greek.
Oh, Michael. “Introducing the Seoul Statement.” Lausanne Movement, September 22, 2024. Available at: https://lausanne.org.
Tennent, Timothy. “The Evangelistic Priority in Holistic Mission.” https://churchleaders.com/voices/exchange/497796-well-done-lausanne-reflections-on-the-full-week-of-lausanne-4.html
Graham, Will. “The Necessity of Proclamation Evangelism Today.” Lausanne Congress Video presentation.
