I was exercising at the "Y" the other day, simultaneously cycling and reading a magazine. There was an ad for a helpful gadget that would make it possible to press a button and follow the pager's beep, beep, beep to keys which have migrated to the bottom of a briefcase, the pocket of a jacket or under the pile of clothing on the floor of a teenager's bedroom.

I thought, "Wow, I could really use one of those! We have keys go missing all the time. Why haven't I heard of such a great thing before?"

A few answers sprang to mind: I hardly ever read general interest magazines and therefore don't see the ads, I don't like shopping, and I don't know anyone who has one. People like me strike despair in the hearts of marketers. How can you talk me into buying something if you can't reach me with the product information?

Christians have the same problem with Jesus. We know about the deep and abiding peace we have through our Saviour, how we are blessed by his grace and mercy. We know that walking with the Lord lightens our load and gives our lives meaning and purpose. We know that living in relationship with the living God, made known to the world in Jesus Christ, is what abundant life is all about.

But what is the best way to share that wonderful message? The problem is we are often unsure of how to share it without being pushy, aggressive, disrespectful, overly cautious or somewhat embarrassed, wimping out. What can really help us is to shift the focus from our needs, our worries, our reluctance, to focus on the needs of those with whom we could share the good news: young parents apprehensive about how to raise their kids with a durable moral and spiritual foundation; people who carry heavy loads of shame about their pasts; the lonely; those who discover that buying and acquiring and having are not enough for a meaningful life; people who need encouragement and hope as they navigate the rough waters of everyday ups and downs.

D.T. Niles defined evangelism as one hungry beggar telling another hungry beggar where to find bread. We have found, or been found by, the One who is the Bread of Life, who stills our deepest hungers and satisfies us with every good thing. Isn't it natural to offer others in need what we have found?

This issue of Fellowship Magazine comes with some ideas about sharing our faith. Christine Jerrett's worship column looks at the critically important connection between worship and evangelism, and Andrew Hyde encourages us to think seriously about how best to minister with teens.

As always, the magazine comes with our thanks for your support.

God Bless