The Evangelist –– Part Fifteen | The Local Church & the Evangelist
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 03/22/2026
Foundation Scriptures:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV
1. The Local Church and the Evangelist.
a. The evangelist does not replace the local church.
b. And the local church does not replace the evangelist.
c. They are not competitors; they are co-laborers.
d. When this relationship is misunderstood, harvest is hindered.
e. When it is honored biblically, revival is sustained.
f. 1 Corinthians 12:27 KJV –– Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
g. God never designed evangelists to function independently of the Body.
h. Nor did He design the Church to fulfill the Great Commission without evangelists.
2. Different Callings, Same Kingdom.
a. The evangelist is called to gather.
b. The pastor is called to shepherd.
c. The teacher is called to establish.
d. Ephesians 4:11 KJV –– And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.
e. These offices are distinct by design.
f. Confusion arises when one attempts to replace another.
g. The evangelist brings urgency.
h. The pastor brings stability.
i. Both are necessary.
3. Evangelists Awaken Churches.
a. Evangelists often arrive not only to reach the lost, but to stir the saved.
b. 2 Timothy 1:6 KJV –– Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
c. Revival meetings awaken hunger, restore boldness, and reignite passion.
d. Churches that partner with evangelists often experience renewed prayer, increased soul-winning, and fresh expectancy.
e. The evangelist does not criticize the church, he ignites it.
4. Why Tension Sometimes Exists.
a. Tension arises when roles are misunderstood.
b. Some fear disruption.
c. Others fear exposure.
d. Some fear loss of control.
e. But revival is not disorder; it is divine realignment.
f. Amos 3:3 KJV –– Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
g. Agreement comes when both sides honor God’s structure instead of personal preference.
5. The Evangelist Honors Pastoral Authority.
a. True evangelists respect leadership.
b. They do not divide churches.
c. They do not undermine pastors.
d. They do not gather followers.
e. Hebrews 13:17 KJV –– Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that f. must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
f. An evangelist who disregards authority will eventually lose his own.
g. Revival flows strongest where honor is maintained.
6. The Church Prepares the Ground.
a. Local churches provide:
- Prayer cover
- Infrastructure
- Counselors
- Follow-up
- Discipleship
b. 1 Corinthians 3:7 KJV –– So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
c. The evangelist plants.
d. The Church waters.
e. God gives the increase.
7. Why Evangelists Must Move On.
a. Evangelists are not designed to stay indefinitely.
b. Acts 14:21 KJV –– And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch.
c. Acts 14:24-26 KJV –– And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 And thence sailed to Antioch.
d. Staying too long can blur roles.
e. The evangelist moves on so the Church can strengthen what was gained.
f. Momentum is preserved through transition.
8. Healthy Partnership Produces Lasting Fruit.
a. When evangelists and churches work together:
- Converts remain grounded
- Revival becomes culture
- Leadership is multiplied
- Cities are changed
b. Acts 2:47 KJV –– Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
c. Evangelism, without the Church, produces instability.
d. Church without evangelism produces stagnation.
e. Together, they produce growth and depth.
9. The Evangelist Serves the Church—Not the Other Way Around.
a. Evangelists are not guests to be managed, but neither are they rulers to be feared.
b. They serve the Church by bringing harvest.
c. The Church serves the evangelist by stewarding fruit.
d. 1 Corinthians 3:9 KJV –– For we are labourers together with God…
e. Mutual respect unlocks multiplication.
10. Together, Building the Church.
a. Revival thrives where roles are honored.
b. The evangelist runs with fire.
c. The Church builds with wisdom.
d. And when both operate in their God-given lanes, the harvest does not end when the meetings end; it continues long after.
e. Because God never designed evangelism to stand alone.
f. He designed it to build His Church.