Hello, welcome to Now, Disciple...

This is the launch of a weekly newsletter with the goal of encouraging Christian believers to share the Gospel – where they are, as they can.

One of the most challenging situations for many believers today is following the Great Commission and sharing the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ to others. People get tied up in knots inside worrying about “what if” when considering sharing with someone.

The newsletter will be sent weekly and be a short read – a burst of inspiration – that believers can digest and apply as they see fit in their lives.

The goal of Now, Disciple is to help simplify the process so that sharing with someone is, well, not a process. Sharing the Gospel is simply caring about another person enough to offer them what you have experienced.

From there, it is the Holy Spirit who works in their hearts to convict and bring about salvation through the only path possible – Jesus.

Now, Disciple is not a perfect answer on sharing the Gospel. The Holy Spirit ultimately guides each person when opportunities arise for sharing. While there are many methods of sharing the Gospel, there is no one “definitive” process.

The goal is to encourage and inspire believers – however far along they are in their spiritual maturity – to love others and convey the Good News.

Often, we all need a little extra insight or burst of courage to step out of our comfort zone and let someone know, “I care. And here’s what I’ve found that is wonderful.”

The name of the newsletter has a dual meaning in the word “now.”

One could read it as, “Now, disciple, you need to do this,” or it could be read, “Do this now, disciple.” Either way, the intention is to prompt believers to take action and not wait any longer.

Now is the time for all believers to act on the commands of Jesus and share His salvation with the people of this world.

Jesus shared His salvation at a well, beside a wading pool, in a church, sitting in the grass, on a boat, and through the many miracles he performed. I personally am not a miracle worker, but there will be opportunities when talking with a neighbor, chatting at a coffee shop, riding on a bus, or working out in a gym where a conversation leads to the miracle of salvation.

Where will you be next when that soft whisper of the Holy Spirit says, “Love this one,” and the opportunity to share salvation is upon you?

I hope it’s soon, and that you are willing … now.

Shawn Ankrom

P.S. If this newsletter finds you and you are not interested, feel free to unsubscribe. No hard feelings, and I wish you continued growth in your faith.

 Does the Gospel die with me?

There are times in our spiritual journeys when a Bible verse or a simple question from a mentor hits so hard that it changes the course of our lives.

For me this happened not long ago when I attended a Bible study at my local church that was designed to show us how to love others and share Jesus’ salvation. I felt the need to learn more as I’m not a prolific preacher who has reached thousands of people with the Gospel through the course of my life.

Things didn’t go as expected when one of the first questions in the study hit me like a brick to the forehead.

“If everybody was as faithful as you in sharing the Gospel, how far would the Gospel go?”

I could barely hold back the tears. That question tore through the core of my being like a burning flame.

All I could think about was, “Does the Gospel die with me?”

I couldn’t shake the thought. The tears flowed later that night before bed. I woke up the next day wondering what I’ve done over decades as a Christian, and how I should go forward. This one question prompted me to begin studying the Bible more, learning more about how to love others, and ultimately start sharing stages of my journey through my writing (and in person).

To set forth on a journey, one needs a map or in Christian terminology … a commission. The Bible gives us all we need to get started on being faithful in sharing the Gospel, and multiple verses to help us pursue our commission.

Matthew 28:19-20 –

19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always to the very end of the age.”

Those are the words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He laid out a simple, yet eternally powerful, commission for all of us.

The Gospel doesn’t die with my lack of action, it grows with every act of obedience in sharing Jesus’ salvation with one more person.

The key is to start now … and go. The hours, days, months, years and even decades ahead will provide the connections to hurting people where we can deliver eternal comfort through Jesus.

Acts 1:8 –

“But you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Now, disciple …