Evangelism Explosion is a Christian evangelism ministry and training program founded by D. James Kennedy in 1962. The program aims to equip Christians with the skills and tools they need to share their faith and lead others to Christ effectively and confidently. The name “Evangelism Explosion” comes from the idea that sharing one’s faith can have an explosive evangelistic impact as new believers go on to share their faith with others as well.
Evangelism Explosion follows a very specific and structured approach to evangelism and discipleship based on Kennedy’s distinctive theological views. At the heart of the program is the belief that the most effective evangelism happens through building relationships with nonbelievers and presenting the gospel message in an interpersonal, conversational way. Trainees are taught to take new believers through a series of Bible studies over 12 weeks using Evangelism Explosion’s materials. The goal is for new Christians to learn sound doctrine and become equipped to share their newfound faith with others right away.
There are several key components to Evangelism Explosion’s training and methodology:
- The Gospel Presentation – Trainees memorize a carefully crafted gospel presentation and are taught how to share it conversationally and relationally in about 5 minutes. The presentation emphasizes sin, grace, faith, and assurance of salvation.
- On-the-Job Training – After learning the gospel presentation, trainees immediately go out and practice sharing it through on-the-job training visits where they are observed by trainers.
- Establishing Relationships – Friendship evangelism is emphasized. Trainees are instructed to build genuine relationships with nonbelievers in their lives as a platform for sharing the gospel.
- Diagnostic Questions – Trainees use diagnostic questions to identify where someone may be struggling spiritually and zero in on their key obstacles to faith.
- Follow-Up Studies – Over 12 weeks, new believers go through a series of Bible studies focused on assurance of salvation, spiritual growth, Bible study skills, Scripture memory, fellowship, witnessing, and discipleship.
In terms of theological orientation, Evangelism Explosion has a number of distinctives:
- Evangelism Focused – The top priority is equipping all believers, clergy and laypeople alike, to actively share their faith regularly.
- Gospel-Centered – There is heavy emphasis on the grace and sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work on the cross.
- Reformed Theology – Evangelism Explosion aligns with Reformed/Calvinistic theology, including belief in predestination and the sovereignty of God in salvation.
- Baptist Convictions – Traditionally, Evangelism Explosion has been embraced primarily by theologically conservative Baptist churches.
- Verbal Inspiration of Scripture – The Bible is seen as the verbally inspired and inerrant Word of God, essential for evangelism and training believers.
- Eternal Security – There is emphasis on assurance of salvation based on grace rather than works.
- Cessationism – The miraculous spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy are believed to have ceased with the apostolic age.
Evangelism Explosion has also articulated some core convictions about the nature of evangelism itself within its philosophy and training:
- Every Believer’s Responsibility – Sharing the gospel is the duty of every follower of Christ, not just clergy.
- Prayer Essential – Prayer is absolutely crucial for the Holy Spirit to work through evangelistic efforts.
- Relationship Based – Building a genuine relationship comes before sharing the gospel message itself.
- Process Focused – Evangelism is depicted as a process over time rather than a one-time event.
- Church Based – While every believer witnesses, the local church is the primary vehicle for evangelism.
- Structured Approach – Evangelism Explosion provides a very ordered system of presentation and follow-up.
- Emphasis on Training – Extensive training is required to give believers confidence and equip them thoroughly.
In practice, Evangelism Explosion training starts with a 4-day intensive workshop where trainees are equipped with the skills to share their faith. They learn how to share the gospel presentation and use diagnostic questions. Much of the time is spent in real-world practice and roleplaying. After completing the initial workshop, trainees participate in accountability groups for continued development. The groups include reporting and on-the-job training where trainees are observed, counseled and held accountable for witnessing regularly.
For follow-up, Evangelism Explosion has developed a series of discipleship lessons to ground new believers in the faith. The Continuing Witness Training (CWT) series covers the following topics over 12 weeks:
- Assurance of Salvation
- Spiritual Growth and the Word of God
- Prayer and Overcoming Temptation
- Baptism and Fellowship
- How to Have a Quiet Time
- How to Study the Bible
- Bible Memory
- How to Witness
- How to Disciple a New Believer
- The Christian Attitude Toward Possessions
- How to Use Your Testimony
- How to Defend Your Faith
These lessons cover core doctrines and spiritual disciplines aimed at grounding and growing new believers. The emphasis quickly shifts to equipping them to share their newfound faith just as they were shown. This multiplication mindset is central to Evangelism Explosion’s strategy.
In summary, Evangelism Explosion can be defined as:
- A structured methodology and training program equipping Christians to share their faith relationally.
- Emphasizing the need for every believer to evangelize.
- With Reformed theological convictions.
- Based on building relationships, presenting the gospel message, and follow-up discipleship.
- Seeking to equip new believers to reproduce themselves through training others.
Since 1962, Evangelism Explosion has trained over 5 million people worldwide from all major theological traditions. As of 2012, the ministry reported evangelistic results of over 8.9 million professions of faith. While initially embraced primarily by conservative Baptists, Evangelism Explosion has expanded across many denominations while maintaining its core principles. It continues to emphasize systematic approaches to both evangelism and spiritual growth in the life of the new believer.
Key Bible Verses Related to Evangelism Explosion
Here are some key Bible verses relevant to the core principles and practices of Evangelism Explosion:
Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Romans 10:14 – “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”
2 Timothy 2:2 – “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
Ephesians 4:11-12 – “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
These verses emphasize the call to evangelize, to make disciples, to witness to Christ, to teach others, to share the gospel near and far, and to defend the faith – all central themes in Evangelism Explosion training.
History of Evangelism Explosion
Evangelism Explosion was founded by Presbyterian minister D. James Kennedy (1930-2007) in 1962. While serving as pastor of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Kennedy became burdened by how few members were actively sharing their faith. In 1962, he launched Evangelism Explosion to mobilize every believer to become an equipped evangelist.
Kennedy had studied techniques for instruction and motivation in the business world. He synthesized these with the ideas of evangelist Charles E. Fuller to create the Evangelism Explosion system of memorizing a gospel presentation, on-the-job training, and accountability groups. Kennedy conducted the first Evangelism Explosion clinic at Coral Ridge in 1963. Soon the training spread through his denomination and beyond.
From the start, D. James Kennedy pursued an ecumenical vision for Evangelism Explosion across denominations. By 1970, Evangelism Explosion was adopted by a wide range of Protestant churches as well as Roman Catholic communities. Kennedy also formed the International Evangelism Association to promote cooperation in evangelism worldwide.
Under Kennedy’s leadership at Coral Ridge, Evangelism Explosion underwent continual development. The youth oriented Youth Evangelism Explosion was launched in 1977. By 1980, Evangelism Explosion claimed to have trained over 300,000 people globally with 2 million professions of faith. Continuing Witness Training lessons were introduced in 1984 to ground new believers. Different courses were added over time for children, international contexts, and even workplace evangelism. Kennedy continued directing Evangelism Explosion until his death in 2007.
Evangelism Explosion was historically embraced primarily by theologically conservative evangelical and Baptist churches. But its nondenominational training has expanded its reach over time. While still centered at the Coral Ridge church in Florida, Evangelism Explosion today has more than 100 regional offices globally. Over 5 million people across almost every Christian tradition have now been trained in the Evangelism Explosion system according to the ministry.
Perspectives on Evangelism Explosion
Throughout its history, Evangelism Explosion has drawn both praise and criticism from Christian leaders and churches regarding various aspects of its training:
Praise for Evangelism Explosion
- Mobilizes laypeople – Equips every Christian, not just clergy, to share their faith regularly through solid training.
- Gospel-focused message – Keeps the gospel of Christ’s finished work central in the presentation.
- Emphasizes prayer – Encourages prayer as the foundation for all evangelism.
- Relationship oriented – Calls for building genuine friendships to earn a hearing versus impersonal evangelizing.
- Instills confidence – Provides extensive practice and mentoring that gives Christians confidence to witness.
- Reproducible training – Equips new believers to quickly learn and in turn train others themselves.
Criticisms of Evangelism Explosion
- Programmed feel – Overly regimented memorized presentation can seem impersonal, rehearsed, and inauthentic.
- Presumptive message – Diagnostic questions and presentation sometimes assume the person is ready to accept Christ.
- Statistics focused – Some question an overemphasis on reporting numbers of salvation decisions versus quality discipling.
- Calvinist leanings – Reformed theology woven through the training does not align with all denominations’ beliefs.
- Anti-charismatic – Cessationist stance marginalizes those with a charismatic theology.
- Superficial discipling – Critics argue 12 weeks of studies is inadequate to truly grow new believers.
In sum, Evangelism Explosion continues to make a significant impact worldwide after 60+ years by mobilizing millions of Christians to share their faith through relational, reproducible training. While drawing some critiques, it retains influence across most denominations for instilling evangelistic zeal and skills aligned with its Reformed theological values.
Conclusion
Evangelism Explosion has equipped millions of believers to fulfill Christ’s calling to share the gospel through a strategic system of evangelism training and discipleship. Its focus on mobilizing every Christian to witness, strong theological framework, relational process, and multiplication mindset continues to spread the faith far and wide decades after its launch. Evangelism Explosion provides a platform for believers to gain skills, confidence, and accountability to impact the world for Christ through the local church.