SORO: Why do you believe the gospel can change lives?

Sammy Tippit: Because I've seen people's lives change. I've seen my life change. The gospel contains the power of God. There is something supernatural that transpires when it is proclaimed.

In Moldova, in 1990, I preached the first national evangelistic crusade in that nation. An atheist journalist asked me right before I got up to speak, "Mr. Tippit, do you really believe lives are going to be changed because of some words you speak?"

I answered him simply, "I know they will, not because I'm speaking words, but because of the words I'll be speaking. The gospel has power to change lives."

Thirteen years later I can judge whether or not I was right, and I can report that not only have thousands been changed as a result of that crusade, but that the largest Romanian-speaking church began as a direct result of people who were impacted that night. Today, missionaries who were saved that evening are taking the gospel into villages across Eastern Europe.

SORO: If the message of the Bible has so much power, why do so many who call themselves Christians live just like the rest of the world?

Sammy: There are two answers to that question. First, we can wonder if at some point in time, they have ceased living in the power of the gospel, in a manner pleasing to the Lord. People in this condition need revival. Secondly, it is possible they never truly knew Jesus in a personal way.

Often I use the illustration of a chair - I can believe a chair will hold me up, but until I put that belief into action (faith) it really doesn't mean anything. I must sit down in the chair. Many people have an intellectual adherence to Jesus' message, or have lots of emotions - but that's not faith. Faith is trusting Christ to come into your life.

SORO: What place does repentance have in the gospel message?

In Luke 24:47-48, Jesus told His followers to preach the gospel to all nations, and He defined it this way: "repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached to all nations." The gospel is simply this: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. So, why did Jesus say to preach repentance and forgiveness?

In the cross, we see forgiveness, and in the resurrection, we see repentance. I cannot change myself, but the good news is that Christ died to provide forgiveness for all of my wrongs, and then rose to provide the power of transformation - the power to change!

SORO: How does the typical evangelistic message in the West differ from that of third world nations? Do they view the gospel differently than we do?

Sammy: Most of what I hear preached is the same as in Western countries. Many of the large, evangelistic crusades are emphasizing miracles, signs, and wonders, rather than the gospel of Jesus itself. This has been reported to me by believers of all denominations, in countries all around the world. When preaching the gospel overseas, I've even had interpreters begin weeping as they translate, saying, "We've not had this message before." I'm not talking about just a few countries here - this is widespread. My concern is that the West is exporting a message that is not the gospel message.

There are some tremendous things happening around the world with church growth. There are people coming to Christ - whole language groups are hearing of Jesus for the first time. The Jesus Film has played a major role in helping get the basic message to multitudes.

But we must make sure that the growth we are seeing is real, solid growth. For example, Africans often tell me that, "Christianity is a mile long here in Africa, but only an inch deep." Sometimes I see a lack of holiness and purity in believers across the world, and this emphasizes the point even more: there needs to be greater depth to what is taking place.

SORO: How do we get the depth?

Sammy: The message of revival is extremely important. In terms of my own ministry, we are going to leaders to train them, to bring the message of revival, holy living, integrity, prayer, and purity. Then, springing off of that, we are working to build evangelistic efforts.

SORO: What would you recommend to the person who is feeling a burden to be more focused on missions and evangelism?

Sammy: First, I'd encourage them to start praying. Get something like Operation World.* Educate yourself about the needs of mission agencies and other nations. If you can't pray for them, you can never share Christ with them.

Second, break out of your spiritual comfort zone. This can take place in your neighborhood, on your job, one-on-one, going to needy areas of your community, or even by going on a short term mission trip. One of the best ways to expose yourself to missions is to take a week across a cultural or national boundary. Once you break out of the comfort zone, God does something, and you will see His power.

SORO: Many people have grown up in churches that proclaim a shallow, "easy-believism" gospel. What would you recommend for these churches and individuals?

Sammy: We need to get our focus off numbers. There is a place for numbers, and it's certainly wonderful when we see thousands coming to Jesus. In my ministry, we pray for that everyday. But when we focus on those numbers, we're in trouble.

Churches that try to achieve numerical goals and quantify their results often begin compromising some of the harder truths of the gospel. We feel that our worth and value in ministry is tied to the number of people making "decisions." I suggest that we simply present the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leave the results to God. If you have done the right thing, the response is no longer the issue.

In Brazil, I had the opportunity to preach in the world's largest stadium, and, as you can imagine, I was nervous. I was out on a beach praying and seeking God, struggling before I went to preach. God said: "Sammy, you just concentrate on being true to the message of the gospel, and I'll do the rest. That's all I want from you." I did, and the response was incredible.

The power of God is in the preaching of the cross. I think we have lost faith in that. We've brought up a generation who thinks the power of God is either in miracles, as in the Charismatic movement, or in a great music group and superstars giving their testimonies, as we see in many traditional churches. The Scripture says that the power of God is in the preaching of the Cross.

If we will preach the cross, simply, clearly, and in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we will see God change lives.

>> Find out more about Sammy Tippit and his ministry, God's Love in Action, at www.SammyTippit.org.