Background of the Research Evangelism is the preaching of the Christian Gospel or the practice of relaying information about a particular

set of beliefs to others with the object of conversion.[1] Christians who specialize in evangelism are known as evangelists whether they are in their home communities or living as missionaries in the field. Some Christian traditions consider evangelists to be in a leadership position; they may be found preaching to large meetings or in governance roles. Christian groups who actively encourage evangelism are sometimes known as evangelistic or evangelist. The scriptures do not use the word evangelism, but evangelist is used in (the translations of) Acts 21:8, Ephesians 4:11, and 2 Timothy 4:5. The communication of Christian faith to new geographical areas and cultures is often referred to as evangelization, or specifically, world evangelization. The word "evangelist" comes from the Koine Greek word (transliterated as "euangelion") via Latinised Evangelium, as used in the canonical titles of the four Gospels, authored by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (also known as the Four Evangelists). The Greek word originally meant a reward given to the messenger for good news ( = "good", = "I bring a message"; the word "angel" comes from the same root) and later "good news" itself. The verb form of euangelion, ehtoqualia (translated as "evangelism"), occurs rarely in older Greek literature outside the New Testament, making its meaning more difficult to ascertain. Parallel texts of the Gospels of Luke and Mark reveal a synonymous relationship between the verb euangelizo () and a Greek verb kerusso (), which means "to proclaim".[2] While evangelism is usually regarded as converting non-Christians to Christianity, this is not always the proper usage of the word. If converting to Christianity includes services or material benefits, evangelism is called proselytism. Different denominations follow different theological interpretations which reflect upon the point of who is doing the actual conversion, whether the evangelist or the Holy Spirit or both. Calvinists, for example, believe the soul is converted only if the Holy Spirit is effective in the act.[3] Catholic missionary work in Russia is commonly seen as evangelism, not proselytism. Archbishop Kondrusiewicz openly stated, "that proselytism is absolutely unacceptable and cannot constitute a strategy for the development of our structures either in Russia or in any other country in the world."[4] Especially regarding claims by the Orthodox church that spreading the faith and receiving converts amounts to proselytism,[5] the Catholic Church's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a document called "Doctrinal Note on some Aspects of Evangelization"[6] which states that evangelism is "an inalienable right and duty, an expression of religious liberty ...", and added, "The incorporation of new members into the Church is not the expansion of a power group, but rather entrance into the network of friendship with Christ which connects heaven and earth, different continents and age. It is entrance into the gift of communion with Christ...."

1.2 Statement of Problem Because the Pharisees were trying to incite competition between Jesus and John the Baptist according to John 3:25-30, Jesus left Judea and started north for Galilee. He could have taken one of three possible routes: along the coast, across the Jordan and up through Perea, or straight through Samaria. Orthodox Jews avoided Samaria because there was a longstanding, deep-seated hatred between them and the Samaritans. The Samaritans were a mixed race, part Jew and part Gentile, that grew out of the Assyrian captivity of the ten northern tribes in 727 B.C. Rejected by the Jews because they could not prove their genealogy, the Samaritans established their own temple and religious services on Mt. Gerizim. This only fanned the fires of prejudice. So intense was their dislike of the Samaritans that some of the Pharisees prayed that no Samaritan would be raised in the resurrection! When His enemies wanted to call Jesus an insulting name, they called Him a Samaritan (John 8:48). Because He was on a divinely appointed schedule, it was necessary that Jesus go through Samaria. Why? Because He would meet a woman there and lead her into saving faith, the land

of true faith that would affect an entire village. Our Lord was no respecter of persons. Earlier, He counseled a moral Jewish man (John 3), and now He would witness to an immoral Samaritan woman! He arrived at Jacob's well at 6 o'clock in the evening, the usual time for women to come for water. The disciples went to the nearby town for food while Jesus deliberately waited at the well. He was weary, hungry, and thirsty. John not only presents Jesus as the Son of God but also as true man. Our Lord entered into all the normal experiences of our lives and is able to identify with us in each of them. Of course, our Lord's request was simply a way to open the conversation and share with her the truth about "living water." Whenever He witnessed to people, Jesus did not use a "sales talk" that He adapted to meet every situation. To Nicodemus, He spoke about new birth; but to this woman, He spoke about living water. Jesus pointed out to her that she was ignorant of three important facts: Who He was, what He had to offer, and how she could receive it. Here was eternal God speaking to her, offering her eternal life! The Samaritans were as blind as the Jews (John 1:26). But our Lord's words had aroused her interest so she pursued the conversation. It is interesting to trace our Lord's movements that brought Him to Samaria. He was in Jerusalem (John 2:23) and then came into Judea (John 3:22). From Judea He went into Samaria (John 4:4), and the Samaritans declared Him to be "the Saviour of the world." This is a perfect parallel to Acts 1:9 - "And ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Our Lord has set the example. If we follow, He will give us the harvest. The woman left her water-pot--How exquisitely natural! The presence of strangers made her feel that it was time for her to withdraw, and He who knew what was in her heart, and what she was going to the city to do, let her go without exchanging a word with her in the hearing of others. Their interview was too sacred, and the effect on the woman too overpowering (not to speak of His own deep emotion) to allow of its being continued. But this one artless touch--that she "left her waterpot"--speaks volumes. The living water was already beginning to spring up within her; she found that man doth not live by bread nor by water only, and that there was a water of wondrous virtue that raised people above meat and drink, and the vessels that held them, and all human things. In short, she was transported, forgot everything but one, and her heart running over with the tale she had to tell, she hastens home and pours it out.

1.3 Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study is as follows: To include the idea of evangelism in the heart of men and women alike since evangelism is the heart bit of God, it must not be neglected. Evangelism today should be accomplished by discipleship if not there is danger in shallow rooted Christian To enlightens the Church on the needs to love all and stop discriminating one another. To challenge the present day church on the needs to obey fully the great commission

1.4 Significance of the Study In recent history, certain Bible passages have been used to promote evangelism. William Carey, in a book entitled, 'An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens' popularized a quotation, where, according to the Bible, during his last days on earth Jesus commanded his eleven disciples (the apostles) as follows: 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."(Matthew 28:19, 20 NIV). However, recent

scholarship by Chris Wright[7] and others has suggested that such activity is promoted by the entire Bible, or at least the wider term 'mission', although the meaning of the word 'mission' and its relationship to 'evangelism' is disputed amongst Christians. Evangelism today is being led by groups like www.iamsecond.com using the method of story that people can relate to. This works for Western cultures especially with good internet access. In rural areas, where literacy and electricity is lacking the most popular tool is the EvangeCube. Over 4 Million of this all images Gospel Presentation are spread across the globe. It sells more annually than most Christian products, (over 350,000). It is ideal for those timid to evangelize and helps the hearer focus on the images of the story being told. Sometimes, the regular minister of a church is called a preacher in a way that other groups would typically use the term pastor. The evangelist in some churches is one that travels from town to town and from church to church, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many Christians of various theological perspectives would call themselves "evangelists" because they are spreaders of the gospel. Many churches believe one of their major functions is to function as evangelists to spread the evangelist belief that Jesus is savior of humanity. The title of evangelist is often associated with those who lead large meetings like those of Billy Graham, possibly in tents or existing church buildings, or those who address the public in street corner preaching, which targets listeners who happen to pass nearby. It can also be done in small groups or even on a one-to-one basis, but actually it is simply one who spreads the gospel. Increasingly, the internet enables anyone to become an Internet evangelist. The New Testament urges believers to speak the gospel clearly, fearlessly, graciously, and respectfully whenever an opportunity presents itself (see Colossians 4:26, Ephesians 6:1920, and I Peter 3:15). Throughout most of its history, Christianity has been spread evangelistically, though the extent of evangelism has varied significantly between Christian communities, and denominations. Evangelism, apologetics and apostolic ministry often go hand in hand.

1.5 Scope of the Study This work will center on evangelism as one of the means to grow the Church of God attaching every important to it but not neglecting the facts that women have been used tremendously in history especially in spreading the good news about Christ. The work will be done in relation with the account in John 4 where the woman encounters Jesus and she suddenly became an evangelist. The work will be limited to evangelism and not dabble into other areas of church ministries

1.6. Methodology of the Study To facilitates this work the library of ECWA theological Seminary, Igbaja (ETSI) will be use. There by books, dictionaries, Journal and magazines on the subject matter will be sourced for.

1.7 Research Hypothesis If women are giving the free hand to operate in our Churches, the passion of evangelism that is already dying will be reawakening among our Churches. 1.8 Definitions of Terms Evangelism

Defined simply as the proclamation of the Christian message, evangelism strives to bring a sinner into living fellowship with the saviour Jesus Christ. In effect, evangelism is: a. The giving forth of the message of Christ to the unsaved so as to bring conviction of sin and conversion through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. b. It is to bring or announce the good news (Biblical meaning). According to Acts 8: 4, 14:7. c. It is equally to proclaim Gospel whether anything happen or not. In essence, in season and out of season, if the above pointed out assertions are true, then evangelism has its roots in eternity (1 John 4:10).

Evangelist An evangelist is the person who carries out evangelism, proclaiming the good the good news of Jesus Christ.[8]Though the word evangelist is a common term in American Christianity, it appears only three times New Testament. In each case the Greek word euangelistes refers to one who is called and employed by God to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

Church Nelsons New Christian Dictionary defines Church as a fellowship or convocation of all believers and people of God who confess Jesus Christian as Lord and Saviour.[9]This is used in the sense of Matthew 16:18, And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and gates of Hades will not overcome it. However, the complete Christian Dictionary defines Church as the whole number of true believers in Jesus Christ and only the true believers throughout the world.[10]

Disciple Disciple is defined as one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. One of the twelve in the inner circle of Christs followers according to the Gospel accounts. A convinced adherent of a School or individual. A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifices, (3) imbibes his spirit and (4) imitates his example (Matt. 10: 24; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 6:69)[11]

Discipleship Discipleship is the process of embracing the life and ethic of Jesus Christ because of the hope laid out in the Gospel.[12]Discipleship is about loving God It is more than an acknowledgement of Gods existence or a statement of belief regarding God. It is a total devotion, head-over-heals-in-love with adoration. It is the deep desire to know God to be one with God and to worship God[13]

Church Growth Redeeming lives to Christ by the power of the Gospel, through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, for the development and improvement of the body of Christ to form and reproduce others who will do the same and more[14]

Gospel This word, conformably to its etymological meaning of Good-tidings, is used to signify: 1. The welcome intelligence of salvation to man, as preached by our Lord and his followers. 2. It was afterwards transitively applied to each of the four histories of our Lords life, published by those who are therefore called Evangelists, writers of the history of the Gospel (Euangelion). 3. The term is often used to express collectively, the Gospel-doctrines; and preaching the Gospel is accordingly often used to include not proclaiming of the good tidings, but the teaching men how to avail themselves of the offer of salvation; the declaring of all the truths, precepts, promises, and threatening of Christianity.[15]

[1] Collins English Dictionary. Collins 2006. [2] Bible as a Second Language, webpage, retrieved November 5, 2008. Available @ www.wikipedia.org/wiki/evangelism [Accessed 01-07-2012]. [3] Curb Proselytism in Andhra Pradesh News Today. 4 July 2006. Retrieved 10, January 2009. Available @www.wikipwdia.org/wiki/evangelism. [Accessed 01-07-2012]. [4] Russaias conversion does not require leaving Orthodox faith: Catholic prelate Catholic Works News. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2009, [Accessed 01-07-2012]. [5] Vatican defends duty to evangelize and accept converts. Reuters. 14 December 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2009. Available @ www.ikipedia.org/wiki/evangelism [Accessed 01-07-2012]. [6] Doctrinal Note on some Aspects of Evangelization. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. 3 December 2007. Archived from the original on 20 December 2007. Available @ www.wikipedia.org/wiki/evangelism [Accessed 01-07-2012]. [7] Christopher Wright, The Mission of God. IVP Academics. (Grand Rapids: MI: 2006), 55. [8] Ibid. [9] George Thomas Kurian Church Nelsons New Christian Dictionary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publisher, 2001), 178. [10] Moris G. Watkins, Church The Complete Christian Dictionary (California: Gospel Light Ventura, 1992), 1004. [11] Eric G. Jay, The Church. Its challenging Images through Twenty Centuries (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1980), 3-5.

[12] http://www.theopedia.com/ Discipleship (Accessed, 13-December, 2012). [13] http://www.theopedia.com/Discipleship (Accessed, 13-December, 2012). [14] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/church growth (Accessed, 12-12-2012). [15] Eden Watson, Gospel McClintok and Strong Encyclopedia, DVD-ROM (Biblesoft, INC.2006).