The College of Evangelists exists to recognise and affirm evangelists whose ministry is nationwide or at least beyond the confines of any diocese.

We believe that God, in his love, has reconciled us and has given us a ministry of reconciliation. We believe that God has called us to be evangelists and that he has equipped us by the Holy Spirit with the particular gifting to fulfil that calling. We believe that our call to ministry is a call to service, and we will not be motivated by a desire for personal gain. Rather we embrace a sacrificial lifestyle of availability to the direction of the Holy Spirit. Our methods must stem from our conviction of the need to incarnate the Gospel, and a recognition that all of humanity is made in the image of God, with inherent value and dignity.

Why 'Evangelists'?

The church is called to proclaim the Goods News ('Evangel') of God's love for the world in Jesus Christ. Evangelism is not an extra for enthusiasts; it is a central part of being the Church. In all churches there are those with particular gifts for evangelism, people who are good at helping others discover a living relationship with Christ. The New Testament calls such people 'evangelists' and encourages us to recognise and support their gifts.

History

In 1996 the House of Bishops decided to set up a 'College of Evangelists'. On 11th October 1999 it was inaugurated by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York at Church House, Westminster.

Why now?

The church has always had evangelists. Much of mainland Europe was first evangelised by pioneers from the British isles. In the last two centuries new churches have been planted by Anglican evangelists on every continent. More recently the need for evangelists in England has been widely recognised once more. Bryan Green and Cuthbert Bardsley in a previous generation and Michael Marshall and J. John in our own come to mind. Some of our religious orders such as the Franciscans have evangelism and evangelists written into their foundation documents. The Church Army has been giving specialised training to evangelists for a century. The Mothers' Union has a strong evangelistic emphasis. The Church Pastoral Aid Society organises with others the Fellowship of Parish EVangelists.

A new development

In its support for the Decade of Evangelism the House of Bishops set up a Working Party to encourage local schemes for training evangelists. Several dioceses now have schemes and a significant number of local evangelists are being trained (for details see the book Good News People; Recognising Diocesan Evangelists, Church House Publishing, 1999). When evangelists are invited beyond their own diocese to help in missions or other events they can now have a means of recognition and commendation. This will give them fresh confidence to develop their gifts and will encourage a new generation of evangelists.