I am re-reading “The Master Plan of Evangelism”. This is my favorite book I have ever read (outside of the Bible). It is an incredible book that really changed my view of ministry. I encourage you, please read this book! The author examine’s the life of Jesus and His “master plan” for winning the world to Himself. One thing that is very clear is that God uses His people to get the message of the Gospel to every person. Does God need people? Not at all. God is all powerful and could easily get this message to every soul by angels, by writing in the sky, or by even speaking audibly to every person in the world in their own language. Even though God does not need people in order to advance His Gospel, that is the method that He has chosen to use. Here is an excerpt from the book, I hope you enjoy it. You can buy the book by clicking this link.

“It all started by Jesus calling a few men to follow him. This revealed immediately the direction his evangelistic strategy would take. His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes, but with men whom the multitudes would follow. Remarkable as it may seem, Jesus started to gather these men before he ever organized an evangelistic campaign or even preached a sermon in public. Men were to be his method of winning the world to God.

The initial objective of Jesus’ plan was to enlist men who could bear witness to his life and carry on his work after he returned to the Father. John and Andrew were the first to be invited as Jesus left the scene of the great revival of the Baptist at Bethany beyond the Jordan (John 1:35–40). Andrew in turn brought his brother Peter (John 1:41–42). The next day Jesus found Philip on his way to Galilee, and Philip found Nathanael (John 1:43–51). There is no evidence of haste in the selection of these disciples, just determination. James, the brother of John, is not mentioned as one of the group until the four fishermen are recalled several months later by the Sea of Galilee (Mark 1:19; Matt. 4:21). Shortly afterward Matthew is called to follow the Master as Jesus passed through Capernaum (Mark 2:13–14; Matt. 9:9; Luke 5:27–28). The particulars surrounding the call of the other disciples are not recorded in the Gospels, but it is believed that they all occurred in the first year of the Lord’s ministry.

As one might expect, these early efforts of soul winning had little or no immediate effect upon the religious life of his day, but that did not matter greatly. For as it turned out, these few early converts of the Lord were destined to become the leaders of his church that was to go with the gospel to the whole world, and from the standpoint of his ultimate purpose, the significance of their lives would be felt throughout eternity. That’s the only thing that counts.”

 Coleman, R. E. (2006). The master plan of evangelism (pp. 21–22). Grand Rapids, MI: Revell.