Evangelism Explosion

Definition and Meaning

Evangelism Explosion (commonly abbreviated EE) is an evangelism program that trains laypeople to explain the gospel to others. The "explosion" in the name refers to the exponential growth in the number of evangelists as those who have been trained go on to train others in turn. This emphasis on multiplication lies at the heart of the program.

The training opens conversations with two diagnostic questions:

• "If your life were to end today, are you certain that you would go to heaven?"
• "If God were to ask you, 'Why should I let you into heaven?' what would you say?"

The questions are followed by a gospel presentation outline arranged in this order: grace, man (as sinner), God (His love and justice), Jesus Christ, and faith.

Biblical and Historical Background

Evangelism Explosion cites the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and 2 Timothy 2:2, "the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also," as the basis for its multiplication training. It also uses salvation by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) and the assurance of knowing that one has eternal life (1 John 5:13) as central texts in the gospel presentation.

The program is generally said to have been started in the early 1960s by the Rev. D. James Kennedy at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Kennedy refined the method after finding that taking church members along with him and teaching them in the field was more effective than evangelizing alone. An international organization was later formed, and the program spread to many countries and denominations.

Practice in Korean Churches

The program is reported to have been introduced to Korea around the 1980s, and seminars for pastors and training in individual churches have been conducted through a dedicated training organization. Participating churches typically meet regularly over several weeks. One trainer is teamed with about two trainees, and the training proceeds through lectures, memorization of the gospel presentation outline, field visitation practice, and reporting and evaluation. Those visited include new believers, prospective converts (people whom a believer has in mind to evangelize), and people who have previously visited the church. The visits are sometimes combined with pastoral visitation.

Although it is an interdenominational program used across denominational lines, some observers note that because it originated in a Presbyterian church, its outline reflects a Reformed understanding of salvation. Churches in the Wesleyan tradition, such as Methodist and Holiness churches, also use the program; in these settings, the question concerning assurance of salvation is sometimes taught alongside an emphasis on sanctification. The program has also been used in Baptist and Full Gospel churches.

Opinions on Evangelism Explosion are divided.

• Positive assessments: Supporters hold that it trains laypeople to articulate the gospel clearly and establishes a culture of evangelism in the church.
• Criticisms: Critics contend that its standardized script is ill-suited to relationship-centered evangelism and that it tends to focus on securing a decision for Christ in a single conversation.

For this reason, many churches use it alongside discipleship training or one-on-one discipleship.