I thought I’d do something different and that may lead to a new blog post series. Just as there’s “Monday Morning Apologist” and “Commonly Misused Bible Verses,” I thought I’d begin a new series to spotlight others who’ve been a blessing to me or the body of Christ at large. There are so many “ministries” now that point out the false prophet or the heretic, I thought this could be a refreshing reverse of course, a series where I highlight goodness without all the negativity. With that said, I’d like to use this post to spotlight Ray Comfort and the Living Waters team.
Around 2008 or so, I was seeking ways to share the gospel more effectively. Back then, I found that most people identified as “Christian,” and that was usually a hindrance to my evangelism efforts. It was common to encounter someone publicly drunk, high, or actively engaged in some vice or sin and hear them proclaim they were a believer. I didn’t have the boldness to call them a liar openly (NOTE: While I don’t think these people were saved, as their fruit didn’t align with salvation, I am not the gatekeeper for salvation. Without learning more about them, I was in no position to make that declaration. I could only express that their behaviors didn’t match the biblical lifestyle.). This led to frustrations and evangelistic encounters that went nowhere or resulted in arguments with no clear way of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. I didn’t just want to check the box of “evangelism;” I was concerned that people didn’t have the gracious truth I’d found.
Frustrated, I did a Google search (it could have been Yahoo! back then) and stumbled upon Living Waters with Ray Comfort. I learned about evangelism using the Law first (the Ten Commandments) to bring a clear understanding of sin. This starting point allowed me to engage individuals in a way that bypassed arguments (for the most part). More than that, it allowed for a straightforward and understandable gospel presentation. It was so simple. I tried it with a stranger at a nearby 7-11, and I was astounded when it worked (by worked, I mean that I was able to have a solid conversation on a spiritual matter and gave the individual a clear message. Though people often ask how many people are saved by it, I don’t think that’s the right question. It presumes we fail if people don’t arrive at “decisions” for Jesus and it assumes we have some direct knowledge of the saving “increase” God provides. Rf. 1 Cor. 3:6-7). As I kept using this method, I was able to incorporate it organically into conversations not be as “cookie cutter” or robotic in my approach. The best part was being able to present the gospel of Jesus and seeing people get the picture in a way they probably hadn’t before.
To this day, I listen to their podcast, watch their YouTube channel, use their store for various tracts and evangelistic resources, and share the gospel with a “Way of the Master” approach (a biblical, Jesus-centered approach). Ray Comfort has been a consistent voice in Evangelism for longer than I’ve been alive, and I love that! There’s something incredibly helpful, winsome, and biblical about this sort of gospel consistency. We should all aspire to share the gospel with a lost and dying world.
I encourage you to check out their ministry, especially if you’re passionate about the lost (if you’re a believer, you should be). Their tracts have always been relatively low cost, and nothing about Ray Comfort screams extravagance. Instead, my perspective from afar is that he’s one (and the Living Waters team) who does ministry at personal and ministry cost for the sake of the gospel. They have a School of Biblical evangelism, which is self paced and an excellent way to build an evangelistic foundation. Whether you do that or not, whether you use their ministry resources or not, I encourage you to share the gospel of Jesus—we are running out of time.
I pray blessing upon Ray Comfort and the entire Living Waters ministry.
