God has given spiritual gifts for the equipping, health, and inner growth of the Church but also for the growth of the Body through reaching out to those who do not know Him. Spiritual Gifts that are most commonly used for outreach include the following. Click on the gifts to learn where these gifts are listed in Scripture and possible definitions. (Use the browser’s back button to return to this post.)
Each of these spiritual gifts can be used to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bring conversion growth to the Church. Often the setting is that which sets the gifts apart from one another.
The Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use will help you understand the distinction between these gifts. It also looks at other types of spiritual gifts listed in the Bible and provides suggestions for where these gifts may best fit into ministry.
All believers are to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5) in sharing the Gospel with others and all are to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks” (1 Pet. 3:15). But, people with outreach types of gifts will tend to be more active in looking for these opportunities, especially in setting most suited for the gift they have been given.
I have a strong desire to serve in these types of positions disaster relief, or just meeting the needs of the poor; men women and children in other countries or here in the US. But i am not a missionary, nor an apostle, nor have the gift of tongues. But i have the gift of Service, teaching and giving.
How good that you desire to help people in need, Ninoshka. That doesn’t require the gift of missionary or other outreach types of gifts but a heart to serve which comes with the gifts of service and giving. Because of the gift of giving, you may undoubtedly have the desire to give of your finances or other resources (food, clothes, etc.) to help meet needs where you yourself may not be able to go. But you would also tend to want hands-on involvement where possible because of the gift of service. You could possibly find yourself getting involved in short-term trips either here in the U.S. or in other countries. There are organizations, like Samaritan’s Purse, that send out volunteer groups to help with disaster relief and other needs. Often when on these types of trips, helping people’s physical needs often leads to outreach opportunities to share Jesus with them. And, of course, there are undoubtedly many needs in communities near to you that wouldn’t require extended travel time. You can find locations for rescue missions on the CityGate Network website if you want to connect with an already existing ministry. — May God give you the wisdom to know how to best use your gifts to share His love in tangible ways with people in need.