evangelism
cojourners: an introduction
Keith Davy

Every person is on a spiritual journey. A CoJourner is simply one who does spiritual journey together with others. Life as a journey is both a biblical and culturally universal concept. Viewing witness through the lens of journey provides significant insight into our relationships with and responsibilities to others. The experience of personal witness is “to engage in significant conversations exploring spiritual journeys and talking about Jesus.” There are four primary roles that we may play in another person’s spiritual journey. The role you play at any given time depends upon the relationship and spiritual journey of the other.

The Explorer: Discovering Spiritual Journeys
An explorer is one who journeys into unknown territory to learn and understand. Spiritually we enter into people’s lives (or into deeper levels of their lives) to learn and understand their spiritual journey. We explore primarily through listening and asking questions, with genuine interest and concern. Casual conversations are often sprinkled with “windows to the soul”, that is, statements that seem casual on the surface, but underneath they reveal deeper insights into the inner journey of one’s life. Listening enables the Explorer to hear unmet needs and traces of the Spirit’s work in their lives. Questions can help the Explorer discover where they have been spiritually, where they are at and where they are going.

The Guide: Showing the Way to Jesus
A guide is someone who shows the way on a journey. As we discover more about the spiritual journey of others, we desire the opportunity (and privilege) of showing them the way to Jesus. This implies a level openness on their part and trust in us as a guide. Often the best context for us to help others journey toward Jesus is in connection to a worshipping community. But for many, this occurs initially in personal conversations. Our own spiritual journey can play an important role is spurring interest, establishing trust and revealing gospel truth. But the gospel itself is the most powerful means. The Guide must increasingly understand gospel truth, being able to communicate clearly its essence or share freely from its fullness, according to the need of the moment.

The Builder: Providing Bridges Over Spiritual Obstacles
When a person encounters an obstacle on a journey, they need a bridge to continue on. Spiritually, most people encounter obstacles that keep them from moving toward Christ. They, too, need bridges to continue on. The obstacles may be intellectual objections, emotional baggage, or host of other issues. Prayer is the most important tool of the Builder, as the issues are ultimately spiritual in nature. But the Builder will also come beside those who are stuck with understanding and affirmation, using gentle persuasion to provide a bridge beyond. (Note: Gentle persuasion implies a relationally safe person.) Among other things, the Builder can use their personal experience, insightful questions, meaningful stories and God’s word to create the bridges beyond.

The Mentor: Encouraging Spiritual Growth
Spiritual journeys do not end when people come to Jesus. In fact, that is just the beginning. What do people need that have come to Jesus? Their two greatest needs are to connect with a community of believers (if they haven’t already) that will help them grow and to learn the foundational truths of following Christ. A Mentor encourages, guides and instructs along the way.