Just 12% of pastors say they feel very effective in encouraging Christians to share their faith, according to a Barna survey. Evangelism is often overlooked amid the daily pressures and responsibilities pastors face. At the same time, many Christians have never been shown how to share Jesus in a way that feels personal, natural, or rooted in real relationships. Nick Hall, founder and president of Pulse Evangelism, is passionate about changing that. As an evangelist, he aims to reawaken and equip the Church for evangelism, not as a pressure, but as a joyful, everyday part of following Jesus.

In 2004, Nick wrote a paper in his college English class titled “Pulse,” casting a vision to see his campus and generation transformed by the hope of Jesus. That paper sparked a student-led grassroots movement, which soon grew beyond the campus and led to the launch of Pulse Evangelism. Today, Pulse is a global movement that has reached over 330 million people worldwide with the Gospel through live events, digital outreach, local revival gatherings, and evangelism training.

Nick is the author of “Reset” and also serves as the president and CEO of The Table Coalition and as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Evangelicals. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and their three children. You’ll sense the contagious energy to reach the world for Jesus as you listen to Nick and Dale’s conversation on today’s podcast.

Description

Dale Sellers interviews evangelist Nick Hall about the state of evangelism in the U.S., why churches have grown quieter about the gospel, and practical ways leaders can rekindle evangelistic culture without shame or pressure. Nick shares his story, lessons from mentors like Billy Graham and Luis Palau, and a four-phase pathway any church can use to mobilize everyday believers around prayer, listening, testimony, and a simple gospel invitation.

Key Points In Brief

• Evangelism has declined in many churches due to missing evangelist voices and cultural Christianity’s complacency.
• “Program problems” are often “person problems”: where evangelism thrives, there is usually an empowered evangelist keeping the beat.
• A healthier on-ramp: start with prayer and listening, then testimonies, then clear gospel sharing.
• Evangelism should feel like invitation, not condemnation; introverts can excel by truly seeing and hearing people.
• Leaders model the culture: if pastors pray for and engage the lost personally, congregations will follow.

Key Takeaways

• Re-center on the gospel as the north star, not stage-driven attraction alone.
• Measure what matters: salvations, baptisms, and shared faith—not just attendance and giving.
• Equip with simple tools and repeatable rhythms, not guilt-based tactics.
• Identify, empower, and platform evangelists in your community.

Notable Quotes

• “We’ve become very sophisticated in our Christianity—and sometimes our sophistication is the enemy of the simplicity of the gospel.”
• “Where evangelism thrives, I can show you the evangelist who’s driving it.”
• “Evangelism is more about listening than talking. That should relieve introverts and challenge extroverts.”
• “This isn’t condemnation—it’s invitation.”
• “Lovers always work harder than workers.”

Next Steps

• Identify your evangelist(s) and give them Sundays to shape culture.
• Program your priorities: dedicate services to gospel clarity and to training the church to pray, listen, and share.
• Launch “Keep Five”: everyone writes five names to pray for daily—salvation and opportunities.
• Train to listen: teach simple questions that surface stories, needs, and next steps toward Jesus.
• Testimony workshop: help people craft a 90-second “before-what-changed-after” story.
• Model from the pulpit: share the gospel simply and regularly, and tell fresh stories of spiritual conversations.

Link To Podcast Audio: 95Podcast 301

 

Link To Podcast YouTube:

Q & A Transcript (Condensed)

• Is evangelism easier in the U.S. or abroad? Often easier where people know they’re not Christians; cultural Christianity can dull urgency.
• Has the church become less evangelistic? Yes—fewer evangelists keeping the beat; many loud voices distract from the main thing.
• Did seeker/attractional models hinder personal evangelism? They often replaced crusades with Sundays-as-crusade, without the discipleship and accountability that mobilize people.
• How do we re-engage people who feel shame about evangelism? Start with invitation, not condemnation; move through four phases doable for everyone.
• First step for a convicted pastor? Begin personally—pray daily, “Lord, send me someone who’s hurting.”

Nick Hall’s Four Phases for Everyday Evangelism

1. Pray: Keep Five names visible; pray for salvation and opportunities.
2. Listen: Evangelism starts by seeing and hearing people; ask gentle, curious questions.
3. Share Your Story: A simple 90-second testimony is powerful—even if you came to faith young.
4. Share the Gospel Clearly: Avoid over-complication; keep it simple and invitational.

• Write five names of people you’ll pray for daily.
• Pray for salvation and for opportunities to love, listen, and share.