David plans to reach out to the marginalised with the good news

Two weeks ago at Sheffield Cathedral the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill , Bishop of Lichfield, admitted David Evans to the office of evangelist within the Anglican Church and this week David (age 57), and originally from Somerset, was licensed by Bishop Andrew of Taunton to begin his work as Evangelist and Outreach worker in the Joint Benefice of Christ Church and Emmanuel, Western-super Mare.

David comments: “Both were very moving and important services and they brought home to me the awesome responsibilities that go with the role of an evangelist in today’s world. After what has happened in London recently, I have been reminded that I need to try to share the good news of the gospel and the love of God in a world reeling with chaos and bad news.”

Former detective David is excited rather than daunted by this prospect and adds, “I have been greatly challenged throughout my training, and on many occasions have needed to rely totally on the promises of God. He has not let me down”, comments David who looks forward to joining the Rev Geoff Hobden and team in Somerset . “I have been blessed with the opportunity to employ a flexible approach to my evangelism and my vision is to spend a large proportion of my time where God is not yet known, even though he’s at work. The Archbishop of Canterbury said recently that mission is about finding out what God is already doing and joining in.”

David says he is likely to spend most of his time outside of the church getting to know people through clubs, pubs, local shops and businesses, and even car boot sales. “You will be surprised at how much people are exploring their spirituality these days “, David adds “I know from personal experience that if God could reach the heart of a man like me at 50 years of age, then he can reach anybody if they open their hearts. A major focus of my work will be a ministry to men and to the marginalised whose needs are often overlooked and who probably find it more difficult to open up to spiritual issues.”

David and his wife Linda, together with some volunteers ran a faith enquiry point at a car boot sale in Eckington, near Sheffield and were amazed at the results, “After we had been going for about three weeks we turned up bright and early to set up our stall when we were welcomed by the organiser who collects the 'pitch money' from traders and sellers. She said that we were “The Church” and that as she had been receiving positive comments from other stallholders and customers about our offering prayer she would no longer be charging us for our pitch. “

David is looking forward to encouraging and enabling members of the ministry team to recognise and use their gifts and abilities as evangelists, a move welcomed by the Rev Geoff Hobden who adds; “David has a real gift of getting alongside ordinary people and sharing his faith in an open and positive way that engages with people where they are. I am delighted he is joining the team here and I am sure he will make a real difference to our approach to mission in the area.”

Church Army has chosen as it’s theme for this year’s Church Army Sunday held on 25th September and as well as getting the backing of a number of Bishops and clergy David thinks this sums up his approach to ministry; “'If we are to remain true to our calling, then we need to spend most of our time outside church buildings, engaging with those who, for whatever reason, will not enter those buildings, yet have openness to faith issues. “

“Evangelists need to be working outside church buildings and church culture, sitting loosely to it, working with those who have little or no meaningful relationship with the church, discovering ways of creating fresh, relevant expressions of Christian community with which they can engage.”