Phil Duncan Retires from Jersey Baptist Church
On Sunday morning January 1, 2012 Brother Phil Duncan retired as the Associate Pastor and Director of Evangelism/Outreach for Jersey Baptist Church. Jersey’s Senior Pastor, John Hays, recognized Pastor Phil in both the 9:45 and 11:00 am worship services. Following the recognition an informal fellowship was held in the Emerge Worship Center and pastor Phil was given an opportunity to share his thoughts regarding his years at Jersey. In addition, he was presented with several commemorative gifts.
Phil came to know Christ in 1954 after watching his older brother be tragically killed after being struck by a car. As Phil says, “after I watched my brother die, I realized I didn’t know where I would go after I died.” That event set Phil on a path toward salvation and also a life of committed evangelistic fervor.
To know Phil Duncan is to know a man dedicated to sharing his faith and seeing people come to faith in Jesus Christ. Since that day in 1954 Pastor Phil has lived his life sharing the gospel with family members, church visitors, casual acquaintances, and total strangers. Since 1991 more than 2,862 people have come to faith in Christ at Jersey Church as a result of Phil’s direct or indirect witness.
On Friday morning January 13, 2012, I had the privilege to sit down with Brother Phil and speak with him regarding the subject of evangelism. Following are just a few of his valuable insights.
1. In regard to engaging in the act of evangelism:
a.
Be immediately obedient to the Holy Spirit when
prompted to share Christ.
b.
Be bold as you share but be compassionate also.
c.
Keep a prayer journal (prospect file) and pray
for people by name that are lost and need to be saved. Until the list is empty
you always have a place to go and a person to see.
d.
Give people an opportunity to tell you the story
about their life (and listen intently to it) before you share with them the
story of Jesus’ offer of eternal life.
e.
To be effective as an evangelist you have to
balance relationship (your own personal walk with Christ) and practice (sharing
Christ with others).
f.
Always follow up on people whom you have
encountered or been asked to go witness to.
g.
Use thoughts and stories about evangelism that
you have read in Christian books.
2. In regard to knowing what to say:
a.
Always trust the Holy Spirit’s leadership
b.
Know and memorize evangelistic verses
c.
“Have you come to know Jesus personally? Or are
you still in the process?
d.
“Can I share with you how you can personally
have peace with God? (then use the Steps to Peace with God tract
e.
“Now you know no one is born perfect or born
with Jesus already in their heart.”
f.
“Wouldn’t you like to trust Jesus right now to
be your Lord and Savior and be forgiven of your sins?”
g.
“Is there anything that would keep you from
asking Christ into your heart now?” (If so, what is it?)
3. In regard to things that hinder personal evangelism:
a.
An unwillingness to sacrifice your own time and
energy.
b.
A lack of sincere compassion for the lost.
c.
The vast variety of differing religious
backgrounds that are found in America today.
d.
Fear, rejection, and not seeing the harvest of a
soul.
e.
A true lack of faith in the heart and mind of
the person sharing in not believing that the Holy Spirit is with in power in
the midst of the witnessing encounter.
These are just a few of the thoughts Brother Phil shared with me that day. I realistically believe that to write all that Phil has learned and used in regard to evangelism would equate to the writing of a book (hint, hint).
The Bible says is Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls” NASB. Thank you Brother Phil for the wisdom you have shared, the legacy you have left, and most importantly, for those who will eternally celebrate with Jesus because of your faithful witness!
