I realize that "Crusade" is very much a charged, or sensitive word for many of my Muslim friends. The Crusades of the Middle ages were in my opinion a sad part of the collective Christian history, doing much more harm to the cause of Christ than good, while totally ignoring the real message of Christ, to wit, " Love thy neighbor as thy self".

The Campus Crusade for Christ is a Christian organization that functions to serve the underprivileged of the world and to bring the good news of Christ that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.

This article is from their website Campus Crusade For Christ .org

Overcoming Fear in Evangelism

5 steps to get past "hello" and talk about your faith

I was prepared to serve, but I didn't think I would have to once more wrestle with the elephant in my heart -- that ever-present fear to talk to others about my faith.

By Greg Stoughton

21 . January . 2009

And to think we almost went to Disney World.

Should we ride rides and see shows -- absolutely nothing wrong with such times of family fun -- or serve others at a holiday food distribution project? The leading of the Holy Spirit this day came in a well-timed e-mail reminder from our pastor about a need for volunteers.

I was prepared to serve, but I didn’t think I would have to once more wrestle with the elephant in my heart -- that ever-present fear to talk to others about my faith.

The Challenge to Reach Out

My wife and children busied themselves in needed work as I worked to look busy.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Again, it was Pastor Rick. He pointed to the 100-plus people who stood waiting for a turkey and said, “How ‘bout if you float among the crowd and talk, encourage them, and maybe tell some about your faith.”

My thoughts: I am a professional -- equipped to help take the gospel to the world. But I write about doing this; I don’t so often do it, Lord. I’m afraid. Can’t I just carry turkeys today?

5 Steps I Took to Overcome My Fear

1. Prayer

I can approach people that I don’t know, but the thought that I could be rejected -- especially were I to offer some spiritual truth -- initially paralyzed me.

I asked God to replace my felt anxiety with a faith and confidence that, I knew, He could provide.

Prayer didn’t change the situation. It began to create change within me.

2. Perspective

In Witnessing Without Fear, Bill Bright writes, "Understanding success and failure can free you from the fear of being rejected."

He defines successful witnessing as, “taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit,and leaving the results to God.”

I needed to remember that it isn’t up to me to make someone a Christian. Only God is able to change a heart to embrace Christ.

3. Power

Through prayer, I invited God’s Holy Spirit to embolden me and direct my path. Lord, with whom would You have me to speak? Guide me in what to say.

Fueled and ready, yielded from making my time an exercise in self-effort, I felt able to take my first step.

4. Purpose

As I walked, I redefined my purpose. I made it my aim to relationally connect with others the best I could in what time I had. Remembering God’s promise that “perfect love expels all fear” (1 John 4:19, New Living Translation), I repeatedly breathed, Lord, what is needed to help move this person one step closer to You?

With some, that meant I just needed to listen to stories of rough circumstances and empathize as able. With others, I offered prayer. I gave a small handout to one person. And, in certain instances, I felt led to dispense a nugget of spiritual truth. I even got to carry groceries a time or two.

As I sought to be faithful, my activity became fun -- more about others, less about me -- and was largely void of fear.

5. Permission

Once I sensed someone felt heard, I would say, “Thanks for letting me into your life. Would it be okay if I told you a bit of my story?”

Courtesy was given in return as I communicated my personal testimony and the main points of the Four Spiritual Laws booklet.

How God Moved Through my Faithfulness

I crossed paths with Sterland about 30 minutes after an initial encounter. A friend at his side left on an errand. We found ourselves alone.

Earlier, I had prayed with Sterland in a small group, been thanked and talked about some of my journey toward Christ. This time I breathed upward, then asked, “Sterland, would you have interest in hearing how you could experience God’s forgiveness and become a follower of Christ?” He jumped at my offer.

Relaxed, at peace and full of faith -- not fear -- I talked for 20 minutes with Sterland about the gospel. That day he prayed to begin a relationship with Christ.

Thankfully, we went to Disney World another day.

They also have an article about the very urgent need for food in Zimbabwe at this time. It is heart breaking to see those beautiful little children and think that many of them will not eat tonight or maybe tomorrow either. Always check references, then, if you can please give a little to help the suffering of someone else. I think that God is well pleased with these small sacrifices. God Bless you all.