When I visit churches across the United States, I often hear WELS members saying things like, “I don’t think I can evangelize. I don’t know the Bible well enough. I might not know what to say, or I might say the wrong thing.”

I understand. I felt the same way when I began evangelizing in earnest many years ago. The funny thing is, when I began evangelizing, I had just graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. I had studied the original language of the Old Testament (Hebrew) for six years and the original language of the New Testament (Greek) for eight years. I had spent three years on the seminary campus translating and studying the Bible, plus taking courses in Christian doctrine and the history of the Christian church. I had experienced former pastors (professors) train me in how to evangelize unchurched people.

But I felt unprepared. I wondered if I knew the Bible well enough. I worried that I might not know what to say or might say the wrong thing.

Looking back, I’m not sure it was possible for me to have been more prepared. Still, I felt unsure, uncertain, and hesitant. I didn’t think I was prepared to be an evangelist.

Guess what? I was wrong. I met one person after another who did not know the Savior—people who had not been to church in years or had never been to church in their lives. And, before I knew it, there I was, evangelizing. Sure, I stumbled. Sure, I made mistakes. But the Holy Spirit overcame those gaffs and used me to connect spiritually parched souls to the living water found in God’s Word.

You may feel unqualified. You may feel unprepared. But don’t let that stop you.

He can use you too. You can evangelize! If you have ever shared good news with someone, you know how to do it. Think of a time you shared a piece of good news. Maybe it was announcing your engagement. Perhaps it was the birth of your child. It’s not intimidating. It’s exciting! That’s what evangelism is: the sharing of good news. And the good news you’re sharing isn’t just good for you (like your engagement or the birth of your baby). It’s good news for the person with whom you’re sharing it! It’s the promise of God’s forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus.

Still wondering whether you can do it? Think of a time you invited someone to join you to experience something wonderful. Perhaps it was a new restaurant you visited. You couldn’t wait to tell others about it, and, when you did, you eagerly invited them to join you there. Isn’t this a way you can introduce unchurched people to their Savior? Ask them to join you for a worship service. Invite them to attend a Bible study you believe they will enjoy. Or bring them along to a fellowship event at your church, where they can sense the joy and peace of God’s people.

You may feel unqualified. You may feel unprepared. But don’t let that stop you. With God at your side, you can evangelize!