We’ve been exploring what it means to be a vertical church, a church where God is pleased to manifest His presence and draw us into an indescribable relationship with Him. Unlike a horizontal church that is busy with activity but lacking God’s power, a vertical church pursues His presence above all.  God has sent us on a mission to seek and save the lost, and He is pleased to manifest His presence when Christians boldly proclaim the whole gospel no matter the opposition. In contrast to the popular “friendship evangelism” strategies of the day, we are committed to evangelism that is direct, undiluted, compassionate, and filled with Holy Spirit boldness.

The Need for Bold Evangelism

The state of the American church makes this message urgent. Thousands of churches close every year, attendance continues to decline, and only a small percentage of churches are actually reaching new converts. The solution isn’t more clever programs or cultural adjustments, it’s obedience. God’s manifest presence is tied to His people’s faithfulness to share the gospel without fear.

1. Who Is Responsible to Preach?

Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) wasn’t given only to the apostles. His promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age,” extends to all disciples. Every believer has been sent just as Christ was sent (John 20:21) and carries the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–20). Evangelism is not a “gift” for a few; it’s a calling for all. As Acts 8:4 shows, ordinary Christians “went about preaching the Word.” The question isn’t whether we’re gifted enough—it’s whether we’ll be obedient enough.

2. Are Words Necessary?

Romans 10:14 asks, “How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard?” The gospel must be spoken. Kindness and good works are important, but they are not the gospel. The message of Christ’s death and resurrection must be shared with words. To say, “Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words,” misses the point, evangelism alwaysrequires words.

3. How Should We Speak of Christ?

The emphasis we see in the New Testament is that the disciples spoke with boldness "parrēsia" in Greek, sometimes translated “openly,” “plainly,” or “with confidence.” Boldness is not about being obnoxious or loud or arrogant or angry. It’s clear, confident communication even in the face of opposition. When Peter and John stood before religious authorities who commanded them to be silent, they replied, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Their courage came from being “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:8) and from having “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). True boldness flows from intimacy with Christ. The closer we are to Him, the less we fear rejection, and the more we love the souls of those who need Him.

4. What and How Much Should We Share?

Romans 1:16 reminds us the gospel itself is “the power of God for salvation.” But it must be the whole gospel. That means speaking both of God’s love and His holiness, of His grace and His wrath. The good news only makes sense when we understand the bad news, that all have sinned and face judgment apart from Christ. We cannot soften or edit the message to make it more acceptable. Our job is not to sell Jesus, but to represent Him faithfully. Repentance, Lordship, and discipleship are all part of the true gospel message.

5. What If People Don’t Like It?

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:14–17 that we are the “aroma of Christ.” To some, our message smells like life; to others, it smells like death. Not everyone will receive it, and that’s okay. Our task is faithfulness, not popularity. We are not to “peddle God’s Word,” but to speak “as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God.” Unless we’re willing to be the aroma of death to some, we’ll never be the aroma of life to others.

Unafraid and Filled with the Spirit

In every generation, God calls His people to unafraid proclamation. The early believers didn’t pray for safety or comfort, they prayed for boldness (Acts 4:29–31). And God answered by filling them with His Spirit so they could keep speaking His Word. If we desire the presence of God to fill our gatherings, it begins with obedience in our daily lives, sharing Christ boldly, wherever He sends us. Let’s be a people who live unafraid, who speak unashamedly, and who love unconditionally. As we do, God will be pleased to manifest His presence among us.