Ep. 347 - Highlights From Our Pacific Rim Evangelism Adventure
E.Z., Mark, and Oscar set out on a journey to retrace Ray’s footsteps in evangelism, beginning in Tahiti. Though Tahiti is often viewed as an exotic getaway, the guys were reminded that it’s a land in spiritual need. On their first day, they encountered a group still out from the night before, and E.Z. boldly shared the gospel. Though one man started the conversation with a flamboyant demeanor, a visible change came over him as he listened. The guys emphasized the biblical principle of giving the law to the proud and grace to the humble. They stressed that salvation belongs to the Lord; their role is to remain faithful. From Tahiti, the journey continued to Fiji. Mark recalled starting to evangelize, only to be told by security guards they couldn’t evangelize there. The guys crossed the street and quickly found someone open to the message—Oscar shared the gospel with a man named Peeta who immediately began weeping and asked how to follow Jesus. Oscar encouraged him to start by sharing with his nearby family. Peeta, living near a local chief’s home, brought the guys there, leading to a touching moment where the chief’s wife teared up hearing the gospel. E.Z. was deeply moved by the humility and openness they encountered. Next, the team traveled to Australia, where they balanced fun—like visiting a zoo—with the challenges of open-air preaching. Mark used a heckler as an illustration, while Oscar encountered initial rejection from two women who eventually agreed to talk when he appealed to their values. By leveraging cultural touchpoints, they found ways to engage in meaningful gospel conversations. In New Zealand, the guys visited where Ray was saved and began evangelizing. For Mark, walking through Ray’s past was especially moving. They preached, connected with locals, and visited Ray’s childhood home. The trip concluded in Hawaii, where even more opportunities to share the gospel arose.During a final Q&A, the guys addressed topics like how The Way of the Master began, the importance of redeeming downtime, and practical evangelism tips. Ray encouraged solo open-air preaching if done safely, and the team emphasized using time wisely. They affirmed that women can and should share the gospel, citing biblical examples like the woman at the well and Mary Magdalene. For those sharing with atheist family members, they advised appealing to conscience and loving boldly, noting that prayer is vital in evangelism. They concluded by addressing feelings of unworthiness, reminding listeners that grace covers all, and it’s not about us—it’s about Christ. Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at
[email protected]. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro