New edition of best-selling SHP title stirs passion for lost souls

Alex Sibley

Everday-Evangelism-Cover3.jpg

Seminary Hill Press, publishing arm of The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has released a new edition of one of its best-selling titles, Everyday Evangelism, by L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism Matt Queen. Originally published in 2014, the book is now in its third edition.

Newly added features include a fresh layout; a foreword by Johnny Hunt, senior vice president of evangelism and pastoral leadership for the North American Mission Board (NAMB); and endorsements from pastors, evangelists, state convention leaders, and Southern Baptist Convention entity heads, including SBC President J.D. Greear and Executive Committee President Ronnie Floyd.

“When we speak of evangelism, you are holding within your hand a book that gives you a clear understanding, definition, and biblical expectation toward the sharing of the Gospel,” says Hunt in the book’s foreword. “… As I read through this book, my heart was moved along with my compassion, and my passion for souls was stirred. I feel God will use this book to fan the flame of evangelism, knowing only Christ can start the fire.

“Once you read this book, teach it to others and pass it on. Let’s see a spark become a blazing fire for evangelism across this country once again in our lifetime.”

The book also features a new preface written by Queen exploring the book’s genesis and purpose.

Queen, associate professor of evangelism and associate dean of the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions, explains that the book originated as a series of articles he wrote for a faculty blog at Southwestern Seminary. Though he did not initially intend to write a book, Queen says that “the seminary determined based on reader interest that my essays were encouraging churches and believers to practice intentional evangelism.”

So, in 2014, “they compiled my blog posts, along with a few additional chapters I would write, into an evangelism primer now known as Everyday Evangelism,” he says. “Thank God for His plan, His providence, and His purpose in this book that almost wasn’t, and now is in its third edition!”

J.D. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, says that Queen has “led faithfully in evangelism since the days we studied together [at Southeastern Seminary].” Greear says that in Everyday Evangelism, Queen combines “biblical depth with a winsome spirit and genuine love for the lost,” challenging and refreshing readers.

“You’ll be moved to action as you read this book,” Greear says.

Ronnie Floyd, a two-time graduate of Southwestern Seminary (M.Div., 1980; D.Min., 1983) and former SBC president, says the book “is all about living and leading with intentionality; from equipping for evangelism to practicing evangelism.” He adds that “Matt and his book will inspire you to believe again that God wants to use you to lead others to have faith in Jesus Christ.”

Other endorsers include professors Timothy K. Beougher, Carl Bradford, Thomas P. Johnston, Preston L. Nix, Eddie Pate, George Robinson, and David Wheeler; pastors Steve Gaines, Nathan Lino, and Stephen Rummage; and state convention leaders Todd Gray, Christopher Martin, and Eddy Pearson.

“The information found in the pages of this book is biblical, practical, workable, and transferable,” says Preston L. Nix, professor of evangelism and evangelistic preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. “A word of caution about Everyday Evangelism: the implementation of the contents of this little book may result in an ‘explosion’ of conversions and growth in the membership of your church!”

Everyday Evangelism, Third Edition is available now at SeminaryHillPress.com.