This year, our church is focusing on Going Beyond in evangelism. For many believers, this is an area that naturally makes us anxious. We worry about what people might think, whether they’ll reject us, or if we’ll even know what to say. In a world overflowing with information, it’s easy to feel like we need to be experts in Bible knowledge or seasoned apologists before we can share our faith.
But the truth is much simpler: while some knowledge is necessary, you don’t need to be a scholar to share the gospel. Most evangelism is simply a willingness to obey the Lord and tell His story of redemption. Anyone—no matter their background—can do that.
This is exactly how William Carey began. Known today as the father of the modern missions movement, Carey started out not as a theologian or academic, but as a humble shoemaker in the 1770s in Northamptonshire, England. He had some education, but most of what shaped him he taught himself. Over time, God molded him into a faithful Christian, husband, father, and Baptist preacher.
While working in his shop and serving in his church, Carey hung a hand-drawn map of the world on the wall. He would study it often—tracing the coastlines, naming the islands and cities, and praying for the nations he saw. Later he said, “When I looked at the map, I saw nations without Christ. I could not help but believe God loved them as much as He loved me.” His heart broke for the unreached.
Driven by this burden, Carey urged his fellow ministers to take missions seriously. At first, he met resistance. As the famous story goes, one leader told him, “When it pleases God to convert the heathen, He will do it without your help or mine!” But Carey wasn’t discouraged. In 1792 he preached the message that would echo through centuries: “Expect great things from God—attempt great things for God.” Shortly afterward, he and a small group of friends, including Andrew Fuller, formed the Baptist Missionary Society.
In 1793, Carey and his family set sail for India, where he would serve for 41 years. During his time there, he translated the Bible into over 30 languages, founded a school for the poor, planted churches, and established patterns of missionary cooperation that are still used today. God used a simple shoemaker to change countless lives—and his influence continues even two centuries later.
What strikes me most about Carey’s story is that he truly was just an ordinary man. Nothing made him “special” except his desire to share God’s heart for the nations. He wanted to take part in the Great Commission and bring the life-changing truth of the gospel to the ends of the earth. His significance came from his obedience and passion. And those are things we can have too.
First, we can all strive to be faithful to God’s calling in our lives. Every Christian is called to share their faith. You don’t need to be an expert—just share the story of Jesus from scripture and share what Jesus has done for you. God handles the heart; you just have to be faithful.
Second, we should cultivate a passion for reaching the lost. Carey studied his map and prayed for the world, but you don’t have to cross an ocean to find lostness. Just look at a map of Evansville and the surrounding communities; there are thousands of people who need to hear about Jesus nearby. Start praying for the lost in your own city and watch how God leads you.
Faithfulness and passion aren’t out of reach. And if you still feel unsure, sign up for evangelism training or get involved in upcoming evangelistic opportunities. Who knows—this could be the year your faith explodes because you had the courage to follow God’s call to reach the lost.
