Is sharing your faith intimidating? Does the word “evangelism” bring up more anxiety than hope?

Compass dives into the big “E” word—evangelism. Together with Reverend Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand, conference evangelist for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, we challenge and expand our ideas of what it means to share faith. Rather than pushing formulas, pressure, or awkward encounters, Stephanie Moore Hand paints a picture where evangelism is rooted in authentic relationships, everyday interactions, and showing up with love and presence—whether that’s in a grocery aisle, a park, or even online.

In this episode:
(00:00) Talking about Evangelism
(04:14) Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand, Conference Evangelist
(05:43) Evangelism 8.0
(07:05) An updated definition of evangelism
(10:07) Our fear of evangelism
(12:33) What is a disciple?
(15:15) Feeling unequipped to share faith
(19:38) Justice work as evangelism
(28:18) AI-assisted evangelism
(31:28) Opening the door to evangelism

Find more episodes of Compass and notes: www.umc.org/compass

Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand is the Conference Evangelist for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, a former Fortune 500 executive, nonprofit leader, clergy, consultant, and co-author of Doing Justice Together. Her “Evangelism 8.0” work equips communities to claim their spiritual identity while responding with love and justice in an ever-changing society.