Hi Mark, I think I was a bit long-winded in what I was saying. But somehow you missed my point totally. You said, “Brad, I totally agree with you that it will be through God's power that we see people come to faith.” My point was not to defend the power and sovereignty of God in evangelism (even though I agree with that). My main point was to humbly try to answer the question of why; why are Christian per se so apathetic to genuine evangelism, and I dopn't mean relationship building. I said that the answer is not found in telling Christians more often to get off the pews and seek and save the lost, nor by placing greater emphasise on mission in our churches. I believe the issue goes deeper, deep down to the Christians’ and the churches heart foundations; that being their lack of knowledge and affections in the depths and riches of the glories of Christ and God. Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” My heart and desire is the same as yours Mark for the lost, but what I believe the solution is seems to be different to you.

As a Chaplain I am surrounded each day with non-Christians, I walk with many kids and families, through the good and sometimes the terrible. For 6 months now I have been supporting a child at our school that is at the Royal Brisbane Children’s Hospital because of Leukemia. God has given me the opportunities to show His love in many different ways. I have also been able to impart a bible and other Christian things to the family. But just today while speaking to her mum on the phone, who unfortunately is seriously depressed, she was the most open to the gospel as she has ever been, so I sensitively shared that she needed Christ and she agreed. Please pray because tomorrow I am catching up with her to explain the gospel. When you get the amazing privilege of a person opening up their life so you can be a part of it, God opens doors.

I know a person who stands before God condemned cannot blame Christians for not telling them, but God can. Here is a poem that makes me intentional in not just building relationships, but to take serious heed of 1Peter 3:15-16 “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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame.” But do you see the motivation for evangelism, ‘honouring Christ as our Holy God’.

"My friend I stand in the judgement now,
And feel that you're to blame somehow.
On earth I walked with you day by day,
And never did you point the way.

You knew the Lord of truth and glory,
But never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim,
You could have led me safe to Him.

Though we lived together on this earth,
You never told of the second birth.
And now I stand this day, condemned,
Because you failed to mention Him.

You taught me many things, it's true,
I called you 'friend' and trusted you.
But I've learned now that it's too late,
You could have kept me from this fate.

We walked by day and talked by night,
And yet you showed me not the light.
You let me live, and love, and die,
And knew I'd never live on high.

Yes, I called you 'friend' in life,
And trusted you through joy and strife.
And yet on coming to the end,
I cannot now call you 'my friend'"
- Author Unknown-