As you well know, planting a church and leading a church is more than establishing a building, it’s about planting a community where lives are transformed by the Gospel. Engaging evangelistically with your community requires intentionality, relational connection, and sensitivity to where people are in their faith journey. Here are five keys to help church planters, pastors and leaders foster meaningful Gospel conversations.

1.Know Your Community Deeply

Before you can share the Gospel effectively, you need to understand the people around you, their struggles, hopes, and culture. Jesus modelled this by walking among the people, listening, and observing (Luke 19:1-10, the story of Zacchaeus). You can get some quick understanding of your community by going to the Australian Bureau of Statistics and then to the “all persons QuickStats” of the suburbs you are interested in, here is an example for you

Key Questions:

• Who are the key influencers or connectors in my community who can help open doors to conversations?
• What are the real-life challenges my neighbourhoods face that the Gospel can speak into? (use the example link above to see what the stats reveal in this instance – i.e. 9.8% of this community struggle with a mental health condition – how could your church help with this community challenge? 

2. Build Authentic Relationships

Evangelism isn’t just about presenting truth; it’s about embodying it in relationships. Paul emphasises this principle in 1 Thessalonians 2:8: “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives as well.” People are more open to hearing about Jesus when they feel genuinely cared for.

Key Questions:

• How can I/ my church invest time in the lives of people without an agenda of conversion?
• Which relationships in my community are opportunities for regular, meaningful engagement?

3. Be Present Where People Are

Jesus met people where they lived, worked, and socialised. He went to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-26), not expecting her to come to Him. Church planters and the congregation need to be visible and active in their communities, at schools, markets, workplaces, and local events.

Key Questions:

• In which community spaces can we / I consistently be present to build trust and familiarity?
• How can our/ my presence serve the community, showing love without demanding anything in return?

4. Share Stories, Not Just Doctrines

Storytelling connects with the heart in a way abstract doctrines cannot. Personally, I think this is even more so in the Australian culture we live in today. Use testimonies and Biblical narratives to illustrate hope, transformation, and God’s love. For instance, the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) resonates deeply with people experiencing brokenness if worded the right way.

Key Questions:

• What personal stories of transformation can I share that reflect God’s work in real life?
• How can I help others in my community see their own stories within God’s narrative of redemption?

5. Invite, Don’t Pressure

Evangelism should be relational, not coercive. As an example, ‘door knocking for Jesus’ in the Australian culture is often met with a negative response as it feels coercive in its approach. The imagery of Jesus’ in Revelation 3:20 demonstrates an invitation attitude rather than coercion: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.” Church planters should provide opportunities for engagement without forcing the issue. This is a better experience for the Christian and the non-Christian alike.

Key Questions:

• What creative and welcoming opportunities can I/ we provide for people to encounter Jesus?
• How can we/ I follow up with interest and care without creating pressure or discomfort?

Church plants, churches in general thrive when they intentionally engage with their communities. By knowing your community, building authentic relationships, being present, sharing stories, and inviting without pressuring, you create fertile ground for the Gospel to take root. Every conversation, prayer, and act of love is a step toward transforming your community for Christ.

My prayer is that the Australian church will know and love the local community well. Be willing to walk with people long-term, knowing that conversion is a process not an event.

Further Training from EIA for Churches on Evangelism – Read More