Door-to-Door Evangelism Success

As a follow-up to my post about some door-to-door evangelists that came to our house, Sam Riviera wrote this fantastic guest post. As with everything Sam writes, I think that this approach to door-to-door evangelism is loving and kind, and helps us represent Jesus to those who come to our door trying to convert us to their religion.

Visits from Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and others can be an opportunity to show them the love of Jesus.

Many years ago I was in the grocery store. A woman approached me.

“Remember me?” she asked.

“You look very familiar, but I haven’t seen you recently, have I?”

“No, you haven’t. I was one of the Jehovah’s Witnesses who came to your door several times. I remember you because you were the only Christian I met who was nice to me. I’m not a Jehovah’s Witness anymore and want nothing to do with religion, especially Christians. They were mean to me. I won’t even talk to them.”

“You’re talking to me.”

“Yes, I’ll talk to you. You were nice to me and talked to me about me and my family.”

We continued talking for about fifteen minutes, and then parted ways.

Showing the Love of Jesus

I grew up next door to a Kingdom Hall. I know that many people cycle through the JW movement, and many end up burned on religion, both the JW religion and especially the Christian religion (mostly because of the reception they received when they knocked on the door of people who said they were Christians). I view having these folks show up at my front door as an opportunity to show the love of Jesus to someone who is showing me that they are searching for answers.

There are techniques that usually work in dealing with these folks, both the “newbies” and the “dyed-in-the wool” fanatics, techniques which allow us to show them Jesus’ love. I usually find these folks easier to deal with than some “Christians” who are extremely certain of (their understanding of/their “version” of) Christianity and the Bible.

Talk to People

When “evangelists” for any religion show up unannounced at my door, I never invite them into my home. Having worked in law enforcement, I know that some people are not who they claim to be and are not associated with the group of which they claim they are a part. However, I have seating on my porch, and a table and chairs on the patio by my front door where I can talk to people I do not know.

Most door-to-door evangelists follow a “script.” They have been trained in exactly what to say and ask. They attempt to get the people with whom they talk to follow along with their script. I respond by showing interest in them rather than in their agenda.

When they say they’d like to talk with me about heaven or Jesus, or ask  if I want to go to heaven, I say “I don’t believe I know you. What’s your name?”

They usually tell me their name and then return to their preplanned presentation. I reply, “Glad to meet you, Jim. What group do you represent? The Mormons?” (Or whatever group I think they’re not really part of, so they’ll correct what I said.)

When they correct me and tell me the group they’re really part of, then ask me another question, I tell them that I grew up next door to a Kingdom Hall.  Then I ask them what attracted them to the JWs (or whatever group they represent).

They usually answer the question and I compliment them on what they said. I follow that by asking them if that means they follow Jesus and what that looks like for them.

Some will answer my questions. Some insist on sticking with their script and try to begin a discussion on a Bible passage, always a passage from the New Testament.

I ask them to wait a moment while I get something that is just around the corner. A few seconds later I return with a Greek New Testament and ask them again which passage they mentioned and I turn to that passage.

They ask me what kind of Bible I’m using and I say “Greek, the language in which the passage was written. There are hundreds of translations, and they don’t always say the same things, so I prefer to use the original language. Don’t you?”

JWs have very few Greek scholars. I have never met a JW (or any other door-to-door evangelist) who could use a Greek New Testament. I have offered to sit down with them on my front patio with lexicons and other translation tools and show them how to translate from the original language. So far no one has been interested.

The Greek New Testament is not part of their script, and its appearance usually stymies their presentation. Occasionally, they attempt to quote something from a book from their religion. I tell them that I’m not familiar with that writing, but as a follower of Jesus, I prefer to use the Bible. Once again I turn the conversation to Jesus.

Admittedly, the more experienced JWs (or Mormons or whatever) repeatedly attempt to return the conversation to their pre-planned presentation. I won’t follow the script, but try to be kind and loving and talk about them and Jesus.

Am I trying to convert anyone? Of course not. I try to love a searching soul with the love of Jesus and hope that they see and experience that love in me.

I love to meet someone who follows Jesus and shows me in what they do and say that they love Jesus and me. I don’t really want to know about their political opinions or what kind of building they sit in on Sunday. I don’t want to read their literature. I want to meet a genuine, loving, caring follower of Jesus. Don’t you? I try to be that kind of person to the people who show up at my front door.