This blog is shared by one of our dream team members, Angie Otero. Here she is sharing with you her heart for evangelism. We hope Angie's story inspires you to share the love of Jesus.
Words From Angie:
Before the Easter outreach event where I was first introduced to CUHOW, I felt lost and blind to God's plan for my life. While I knew of Him, I lacked a personal relationship. I felt broken, without purpose or direction.The Easter event sparked something within me. I returned to church the following day and recommitted my life to Christ. Overjoyed to find a church home, I landed in my daughter's school auditorium, where they also had a children's ministry – something I had longed for for years living on Staten Island.
What resonated most deeply at CUHOW was the overwhelming presence of God's love flowing through the people of the church. I had finally found a place to belong.
My life took a complete turnaround. Attending CUHOW, I participated in growth track classes that helped me understand my purpose, gifts, and how to build a relationship with God. I learned about the church as a body in Christ and God's vision for it.
As soon as I finished my growth track classes, I began serving on the Love Team. I also joined community groups, where the saying "iron sharpens iron" truly came alive. Immediately, I started tithing because I trusted in God's vision for the church and wanted to be fully involved.
Through Matrix University, a program in collaboration with our sister church Ignite, I experienced healing and gained a deeper understanding of grace and forgiveness. God gave me a new heart, and as I learned to retrain and renew my thoughts, His thoughts became mine, aligning my heart with His. I no longer saw through broken lenses; I began to see through God's eyes. Everything changed.
For me, evangelism isn't just about sharing the gospel; it's about sharing the love, hope, and redemption I've experienced through faith.
The moment of transformation ignited a fire within me. I began sharing God's love and the gospel with everyone: friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers. I spread the word about how God sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins, letting His love be known to all I encountered.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20: "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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The love, wisdom, and gifts God bestowed upon me weren't meant to be kept inside. He wanted them to flow through me to others. My call to evangelize stems from a desire to serve and fulfill God's will. I believe that we are all called to share the good news, and I feel a sense of responsibility to use my gifts and talents to spread the message of love, hope, repentance, and salvation.
Jesus also said in John 14:12 (NIV): "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
These are the things that please the Lord: doing His will on earth as it is in heaven.
My involvement in the church has grown tremendously. I'm now a service captain (leader in training) for the Love/Host Team, a culture carrier, and a prayer counselor during events or whenever needed at church. I'm always ready to serve wherever help is needed.
In the past, I've collaborated with our sister church, New Hope, preparing food bags for families in need that I would then deliver. I'd casually talk to the families about God and invite them to CUHOW We've also done outreach events at CUHOW, including one at a single women's shelter where we fellowshipped with the ladies, prayed with them, and shared God's love. We provided them with encouragement and resources. Additionally, we've held outreach events in front of schools, handing out children's books, Bibles, and information about our church. We prayed for people and poured out God's love on them. We've also hosted park and neighborhood outreaches.
Church events like the Easter event (the one that brought me back) and the back-to-school event are truly powerful. God moves in a mighty way during these events. I get to share my testimony and pray with people, telling them all about God's love for them and CUHOW. I am a walking testimony.
I've led some people to baptism at my church and even baptized some friends myself. Everything God teaches me through my spiritual parents and leaders stays with me wherever I go. When I travel, I talk and pray with the homeless. This builds community connections and friendships, showing the love of God regardless of appearance or circumstance. On the ferry to work, I encounter people who might never make it to church, so I bring the church to them. Sometimes, we might be the only Bible someone will ever read. I've been blessed to feed, clothe, and minister to many homeless people.
At work, I share my faith naturally. It's like being in love; you can't help but talk about it! When God saves you and heals you in countless ways, it compels you to share it with everyone you meet, allowing them to encounter God through you. I've even started a community group at work.People often reach out to me for counsel or prayer. I strive to be a light in the darkness, as God has called me to be. My goal is to win as many souls for God's kingdom as possible until my last breath.
Leading by Faith
Through these actions, I've developed stronger leadership skills, guiding all types of people to the Lord and leading my team as a service captain. Challenges exist, like stepping outside my comfort zone, speaking publicly, and praying aloud in front of large groups. I've felt inadequate and compared myself to others, or let fear hold me back.
But then, I hear the Lord's voice telling me to do it with faith, not fear, because fear doesn't come from Him. He equips me when He sends me, and He's always with me.
The most rewarding experience is when someone accepts Jesus into their life. All the glory goes to God, and the angels rejoice. It brings me pure joy because God can use me, his imperfect daughter, as a vessel to lead people to Him.
During these times of conversion, I've witnessed two things: baptism and either a burning passion for the Lord, seeking a deeper relationship with Him, or the trials of life pursue them more diligently. Regardless, I continue to pray for them and preach Jesus, but the choice is theirs. I fulfill my duty to the Lord, and I trust the Holy Spirit to do the rest.
I deeply appreciate my pastors and leaders for seeing us the way God does, recognizing our potential and gifts, and drawing them out. They push the church to be greater, even when we doubt ourselves.
For anyone wanting to evangelize, always be prepared with the full armor of God. The devil seeks to devour. Stay prayed up. Rejection and even persecution will come, but remaining in God's love and spirit allows success in spreading the Gospel, winning souls, and glorifying Him. Ignore negative feedback – some are hurting and projecting, while others react negatively. Stand firm in speaking God's word and pray for them anyway.
Our transformed lives because of God's love can save someone else's life. It's not just talking about it; we must live it through our actions, words, and how we love others. God always wins, and love overcomes all sin. I'm about my Father's business. We are the Kingdom of God, we are the Church!
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