From "Come and See" to "Go and Tell"

Photo by Jonnica Hill on Unsplash

Imagine a scenario where a loved one was sick and possibly dying, and you call 911. You hear these words from the dispatcher: “911, what’s your emergency? I am so sorry to hear your loved one is sick and in desperate need of assistance. If you can find the firehouse at 111 Main Street, we have all the equipment they need in our ambulances. See you soon!” I can only imagine the shock I would feel if the dispatcher told me I have to find their building in a moment of my greatest need. Praise God, that’s not how first responders operate. When they are told of a dire need, they pack up their gear and find the patient who needs them.

Similarly, Christians are called to be “first responders” to a sick and dying world, taking to the lost and wounded the saving news of Jesus Christ. While Jesus’ first word to his followers was “come and see” (John 1:39), that is, an invitation to discipleship, his final word to his disciples was a clear invitation to “go and tell.” “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20, NRSV)

As we focus on Jesus’ Great Commission, all of his followers are invited into the very first word, “Go.” This is a straightforward invitation for evangelism. It is an invitation to imitate the example of God himself, who did not stand afar off and hope that we would make our way to him, but who came to us right in the midst of our mess, offering us the gifts of reconciliation and redemption. That is why the Christmas season is so beloved in the church; we remember Jesus coming as Immanuel, God with us! 

Strangely, most of the American Church has been taught a whole different dynamic; instead of “go and tell,” we have been raised with a “come and see” mentality. The church building is ground zero, and if non-Christians find their way into the building, then they will receive the saving news of Jesus from our professionally trained pastors and staff. While there is no doubt that pastors can be influential evangelists, telling people of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, it’s still the opposite of what Jesus told His people to do. In 2018, the Barna Group found that only 64% of Christians believe it is their duty to share their faith in Jesus Christ with those around them. This is a staggering drop from 89% in 1993. That number has no doubt fallen even further now in 2025, meaning that nearly half of the church believes that evangelism isn’t needed. Yet the world is in desperate need of the saving grace found only in Jesus Christ. Paul tells us in Romans 10:14, “But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?” (Romans 10:14, NRSV) For people to believe, they must hear, and to hear, we must proclaim Him! This isn’t a call for more pastors in pulpits but more of Jesus’ followers talking about his saving grace! 

However, here’s the excellent news! We can reverse this trend. All it takes is some courage and faith. As a presiding elder in the Global Methodist Church, I have the privilege of mentoring and encouraging 34 congregations in Northwest Ohio. Our local focus in 2026 will be for each congregation to take one step of faith in evangelism. We are asking what would be one way each of our local churches can move from “Come and See” to “Go and Tell.” Some churches will dream off-the-charts big, training their people and sending them all around their counties! Some churches will take a much smaller step, as simple as phone calls and cards in the local mail. I anticipate that some have the gift of evangelism in their bones and will run with this challenge, talking to dozens of people. Some will balk at this and may speak to only one person all year. Great! No matter the size or attempt, any way we can be obedient to Jesus’ commission is a massive win for the Christian Church!

One way Christians can grow in the discipline of evangelism is to see it through the lenses of trust and relationship. First, a Christian is obedient to Jesus and trusts in the promise that Jesus walks with us always to the end of this present age. When you share the good news of the saving grace of Christ, you are trusting in Christ to be with you and to guide you. Think of evangelism like a spiritual trust fall. No matter how awkward you perceive a conversation about Jesus to be, God will be there, and He will walk you through it. “How do you know He will?” Jesus is trustworthy, and He said that He would be with you as you “GO!” Evangelism is one way to prove that Jesus is with us. 

Secondly, and more importantly, we talk about the people we love. If you spend any time with me, you will hear about my wife Laura, who is the forever love of my life. I can tell someone is a grandparent in milliseconds because, without provocation, they will begin to overflow with the love they have for their grandbabies. You're not getting out of that conversation without seeing at least one picture. Friends, the heart of evangelism is communicating to others the God you love, who has loved you enough to give you the gift of eternal life. When I think of the grace that has saved me through Christ, I can’t help but tell people about Him. 

A few years ago, a gentleman from our community was diagnosed with terminal cancer in his mid-fifties. Some of his dear friends who attend the church that I serve called me up and asked me to meet with them. They knew the most important conversation they could have with their friend was about the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and I was invited to be the “get out of odd theological questions card” if someone said something incorrectly. They were nervous, but I watched as God used these men, who through tears and laughter became spiritual first responders who shared the saving grace of Jesus Christ with their dying friend. This gentleman accepted Christ and had peace with Jesus in his final days on this side of eternity, and these men were sure of it. Thank goodness they didn’t wait for their friend to darken the door of a church. They saw the need and went and told their friend about Jesus. I was so proud of these brothers who knew it was their role to go and tell.

How about you? Have you been given the gift of eternal life by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Has Jesus written your name in His book of life? Jesus has lavished you with His saving love! I am praying that you also love Him! So may I challenge you, “What’s one step of faith you can take in sharing the good news of Jesus in 2026?” Big or small, take those steps, because we aren’t going to wait for a dying world to come to us. We love Jesus, and we will GO to them! Amen. 

Richard Hiltibran is the Presiding Elder of the Findlay Flatlands Circuit of the Allegheny West Annual Conference (GMC) and the pastor of Good Shepherd Methodist Church in Benton Ridge, Ohio.