Lausanne World Pulse – Themed Articles – People of Persuasion: Evangelism and the Pentecostal/Charismatic Revival

By Grant McClung
August 2006 Supernatural Evangelism
Pentecostal/Charismatic evangelism involves more than verbal proclamation. We believe and have experienced miraculous signs and wonders to be demonstrations of “the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following” (Mark 16:20). This was clearly the strategy of early Christians (Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

This is evangelism that proceeds from a worldview of power leading to “supernatural evangelism.” Divine healing, for example, has been an evangelistic door opener that leads to verbal proclamation (Acts 3). Every healing, miracle, truly spiritual manifestation, power encounter and exorcism becomes an earnest of the kingdom of God and the means whereby the message and dominion of this kingdom are actualized in the lives of people who are delivered.

This conviction and self-awareness that “God is among us and working with us” is a key factor in the persuasive attraction of Pentecostal/Charismatic worship. That Pentecostal worship is a key evangelistic factor has been agreed upon by both inside interpreters and outside observers to Pentecostal/Charismatic church growth. Central to Pentecostal/Charismatic worship is a unique style of preaching. It is, according to Ray Hughes, “Spirit endowed preaching which is pungent and penetrating.” Hughes claims that there is a “miracle element” present in Pentecostal preaching, making it a powerful evangelistic force.

Supernatural evangelism has also been called “power evangelism,” a concept first articulated in the Fuller Theological Seminary School of Intercultural Studies (California, USA) and popularized by John Wimber in his book Power Evangelism. According to Wimber,

By power evangelism I mean a presentation of the gospel that is rational but that also transcends the rational. The explanation of the gospel comes with a demonstration of God’s power through signs and wonders. Power evangelism is a spontaneous, Spirit-inspired, empowered presentation of the gospel. Power evangelism is evangelism that is preceded and undergirded by supernatural demonstrations of God’s presence.

It is that manifest presence of God that is continually needed in our fellowships and in the entire worldwide Christian communion. It is God’s promise and provision to provide revival that renews the saints and reaches the lost.

Dr. Grant McClung, president of Missions Resource Group, is a member of the U.S. Lausanne Advisory Committee and missiological advisor to the World Mission Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship.