Vol. 32 (2018)

Part of what makes the Academy for Evangelism in Theoligical Education a genuine academic guild is that we promote the groundbreaking, primary research in the field of evangelism by our membership. We read about it last year in the work of Moon, et al in conjunction with the Knox Fellowship. This year we are pleased to present two articles that both provide this sort of research.

Gustafson and Kang offer us a study of how those who are not Christians interact with two different presentations of the gospel message. Tracking the responses that their students received when sharing two different forms of the gospel with others, they offer insight into more effective ways to share the gospel in the Chicago area. This, of course, provides suggestive research for what might be meaningful for those who are not Christian beyond Chicago and offers other researchers a wealth of possible opportunities to follow up on their study in their own contexts.

Thompson takes us back to the site of one of St. Paul's greatest evangelistic messages as he shares with us his deep love for the city of Athens. Out of a personal sense of calling to encourage greater discipleship formation among the Athenians, Thompson has canvassed the work of several church start pastors in the city to learn about what may prompte more effective disciple-making there. Interweaving his data with respect for the long-standing witness of the Greek Orthodox Church, Thompson ends with some provocative thoughts about how we might rethink church planting.

My own article is drawn from my inagural address as the new President of AETE beginning in June 2017. I have since gotten good mileage from this address, having refined it and presented it as both the Wallace Chappell Lecture in March 2018 at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and as the Aus Lecture in July 2018 at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. In the address, I seek to weave together the need for global leadership with evangelism, all through the lens of stewardship. I can tell you that the part of this my audiences most enjoyed was my use of Don McLean's "American Pie!"

Beyond our articles, we have several excellent book reviews, thanks to our Book Review Editor, David Gustafson. As always, they consider the most receive books that deal with the study and practice of evangelism.

Teaching and practicing evangelism is not an easy activity, especially in our present cultural climate in the West. It is even harder in parts of the world where the Christian faith is outlawed or restricted. And, while there is no lack of material available to train and support evangelists, much of it is often of questionable quality. We are grateful as an academy, to offer these articles and reviews to you as a means of support and blessing in your continued work to honor Christ and offer His salvation to the world. God grant you great fruit in your ministry.