Grace Community Church’s Evangelism Approach: A Biblical Model for Faith Officiants

Grace Community Church in Sarasota, Florida, under the leadership of Dr. Chip Bennett, has developed a comprehensive approach to evangelism centered on the mission of "reaching the unchurched by being intentional neighbors that reflect Christ." This strategy emphasizes:
✔ Relational Outreach – Engaging in genuine relationships to reflect Christ’s love.
✔ Cultural Relevance – Communicating the gospel in ways that resonate with today’s world.
✔ Equipping Believers – Training Christians to confidently share their faith.

📖 Key Scripture for Evangelism Approach:
📖 2 Corinthians 5:20 – “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

This verse reminds us that evangelism is not optional—it is the calling of every believer to serve as Christ’s representative, inviting others into a relationship with Him.

Key Components of Grace Community Church's Evangelism Approach

1. Intentional Neighboring: Loving Others Through Relationships

The church encourages members to build genuine relationships within their communities, reflecting Christ’s love in everyday interactions. This involves:
✔ Being present – Taking time to engage with neighbors, coworkers, and those in need.
✔ Showing compassion – Meeting practical and emotional needs with kindness.
✔ Creating opportunities – Allowing natural, Spirit-led conversations about the gospel.

📖 Biblical Foundation:
📖 Mark 12:31 – “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Jesus emphasized that loving our neighbors is essential to living out our faith. Evangelism begins with genuine care for those around us.

📖 Colossians 4:5-6 – “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Intentional neighboring is about wisely and graciously engaging with non-believers, allowing natural opportunities to share Christ’s love and truth.

2. Cultural Relevance: Communicating the Gospel Effectively

Grace Community Church strives to connect with contemporary culture while remaining faithful to biblical truth. This approach ensures that the gospel remains accessible, understandable, and compelling to those unfamiliar with Christianity.

✔ Addressing real-life struggles – Speaking to issues such as purpose, identity, and hope.
✔ Using relatable language – Avoiding Christian jargon and making biblical truth clear.
✔ Engaging media and technology – Reaching people where they are (online and in-person).

📖 Biblical Foundation:
📖 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 – “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

The Apostle Paul modeled cultural relevance—he adapted his approach to reach different audiences without compromising the gospel.

📖 Acts 17:22-23 – Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an unknown god.’ So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.”

Paul used the culture of Athens to introduce people to Christ. In the same way, today’s church should speak to the issues and concerns of modern society while pointing people to Jesus.

3. Equipping Believers: Training Christians to Share Their Faith

Grace Community Church places a strong emphasis on discipleship and evangelism training, equipping believers with confidence and biblical knowledge to share their faith effectively. This is done through:
✔ Grace University and Discover Classes – Teaching foundational biblical truths.
✔ Practical evangelism training – Helping members share their testimony and engage in gospel conversations.
✔ Encouraging a personal calling – Recognizing that every believer is an evangelist in their sphere of influence.

📖 Biblical Foundation:
📖 1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

Christians must be ready to share their faith with clarity, gentleness, and confidence.

📖 Ephesians 4:12 – “To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

The role of church leadership is to equip believers to serve and evangelize effectively.

4. Community Engagement: Demonstrating Christ’s Love in Action

Grace Community Church actively engages in service projects, outreach events, and missions that reflect Christ’s love in tangible ways.

✔ Serving the local community – Meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
✔ Hosting evangelistic events – Providing welcoming spaces for non-believers.
✔ Partnering with ministries – Collaborating with local and global outreach initiatives.

📖 Biblical Foundation:
📖 Matthew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Faith should be visible and impactful. By serving others, the church makes Christ known through action.

📖 James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Evangelism is not just words—it must be backed by love in action.

5. Supportive Small Groups: Fostering Spiritual Growth

Recognizing the power of Christian community, Grace Community Church offers small groups where believers can:
✔ Find support and accountability – Encouraging one another in faith.
✔ Grow spiritually – Learning and applying Scripture in daily life.
✔ Invite non-believers – Offering a welcoming environment for seekers.

📖 Biblical Foundation:
📖 Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Community is essential for spiritual growth. Small groups provide a space for fellowship, encouragement, and outreach.

📖 Acts 2:46-47 – “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

The early church thrived through small gatherings that strengthened believers and drew new people to faith.

Conclusion: A Model for Faith Officiants

By implementing this multifaceted evangelism approach, Grace Community Church effectively reaches the unchurched and equips believers to share the gospel.

📖 Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go 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 I have commanded you.”

Faith officiants can draw inspiration from this model to develop evangelism strategies that are:
✔ Relational – Building trust and love with non-believers.
✔ Relevant – Speaking the gospel into today’s culture.
✔ Rooted in Scripture – Grounded in God’s eternal truth.


Last modified: Monday, February 3, 2025, 9:16 AM