I feel like I am terrible at evangelism. I do it because I’m convinced it’s important, but often I leave a gospel conversation with a million things I could’ve said or done better. I admire people like my husband, who can cut through surface chatter with a disarmingly incisive question. But me? I stumble over my words, fearfully skirt around the edges of deeper topics, awkwardly ask the wrong questions, and then take the conversation into a dead end!

Thankfully, Rico Tice gets it. ‘I find evangelism hard,’ is how he starts his book – realistic, relatable, and indeed honest. After years of telling people about Jesus, he understands the swirling complexity of thoughts and feelings that can come with evangelism. Throughout the book, I found my fears and hesitations articulated more clearly than I could have done so myself. Yet, Tice doesn’t stop at sympathising with our difficulties but addresses them with the Scriptures.

As I read, I found myself refreshed by eternal heavenly truths and spurred on to persevere, even when I am overwhelmed. I was humbled as I examined my heart for the idols that stop me from taking that next step. I was encouraged by knowing that I am not alone. One of the sentences that struck me was, ‘conversion isn’t the mark of a successful witness – witnessing is.’ It is so freeing to know that God is sovereign, and only he can change people’s hearts!

The second half of the book explores how to practically go about the task of witnessing. Tice was super helpful in breaking it down into simpler, more digestible steps. He also recognised that not everyone will go about it in the same way and provided additional tools and resources. Overall, the book left me feeling cautiously excited for the next time I get to tell someone about our amazing God.

If you’ve ever felt like I have, then this book is for you. My prayer is that you too will be encouraged to go out and proclaim the gospel boldly (or at least with less trepidation than before).

To coincide with our annual conference, EQUIP Picks are 10 great reads, chosen and reviewed by the EQUIP Women Team for women.

EQUIP24 Picks will be available for a limited time online via our ministry partner, Reformers Bookshop.

A percentage of the sales from books bought via the above link will support our CMS missionary, M.

Meet Winnie Lau

Winnie serves alongside her husband and three children at St James Menangle, where she loves the relational aspect of country life and the many gospel opportunities it provides. The only downsides are the lack of sewerage and the 45-minute commute to her ‘local’ rockclimbing gym. On the EQUIP team, Winnie helps with getting bookmarks printed and distributed, plus whatever else needs doing.