How does ESL help spread the Gospel?

The goal of the church-based ESL ministry is to intentionally share and demonstrate the Gospel as we help people learn to speak English. But how can we do this?

We seek to build relationships.

Students come with a specific need: learning English. We show up faithfully each week and demonstrate our commitment to them. This opens doors to help them navigate life. ESL provides a non-threatening opportunity to build friendships and develop emotional support. Our weekly commitment helps build trust and causes them to be receptive to hear about our experience with Jesus.

We meet important needs.

Although many students are highly educated in their own countries, English is basic for employment in the United States. We can be the bridge to better jobs which translate to better futures for our students’ families.

We can also be a resource person for our students. If they are new to the U.S., we can show them how to navigate grocery stores by telling them where to buy certain things or how to find specific products. We can even help students prepare questions or conversational prompts for upcoming meetings with teachers, doctors, potential employers or other people they want to speak with.

As we strive to meet their physical and emotional needs, it opens doors for more effective communication about spiritual needs as well.

We demonstrate Christ’s love.

If we serve people well, they usually ask, “Why are you doing this for FREE?” or “Why do you treat me differently than others do?”

Here’s our open door to tell them how we are loved by God and want them to know God’s love as well.

We provide a natural setting for sharing the Gospel.

Because ESL classes are generally held in church buildings, our students often expect to hear about our God. In fact, it would seem strange if we did NOT talk about Him. During classes, we might pray, have group devotions or use scriptural materials that focus on sharing the Gospel and incorporating our faith in our everyday lives.

We create a bridge to the local church.

Once ESL ministries bring people through the doors of our churches for English classes, it is our hope to invite them to other church activities as they come up throughout the year. This will allow students to meet others who love the Lord and may be willing to build relationships with them or help them with basic needs.

In short, there are oodles of opportunities to share the Gospel through the ESL ministry!

Pam Seremet serves as the ESL co-coordinator for the BCNE.