Nothing is more encouraging in the missionary work than these words from the lips of our Saviour Jesus Christ Himself.

Practically speaking, missionary work is not always easy, but the moment we cease from humans and depend only upon Jesus for strength, He will surely see us through.

A highly successful way of doing this task is through canvassing. Canvassing is to go from house to house and offer publications containing the present truth. Is it something wrong if one refuses to go from house to house preaching the gospel?

“My brethren and sisters, visit those who live near you, and by sympathy and kindness seek to reach their hearts. Be sure to work in a way that will remove prejudice instead of creating it. And remember that those who know the truth for this time, and yet confine their efforts to their own churches, refusing to work for their unconverted neighbors, will be called to account for unfulfilled duties.”2

In this house-to-house evangelism, many will find so many discouragements - the enemy has made it so. In some areas, you will be mocked, taunted, abused, laughed at, or even refused entry. Jesus our Lord foretold these things, He said, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20).

“And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” (Matthew 10:12-14).

In house-to-house evangelism, we can only be successful if we follow Christ’s method.

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’”3

“We should do as Christ did. Wherever He was, in the synagogue, by the wayside, in the boat thrust out a little from the land, at the Pharisee’s feast or the table of the publican, He spoke to men of the things pertaining to the higher life.”4

“There are many who need the ministration of loving Christian hearts. Many have gone down to ruin who might have been saved, if their neighbors, common men and women, had put forth personal effort for them. Many are waiting to be personally addressed. In the very family, the neighborhood, the town where we live, there is work for us to do as missionaries for Christ. If we are Christians, this work will be our delight. No sooner is one converted than there is born within him a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart.”5

“One of the most effective ways in which light can be communicated is by private, personal effort. In the home circle, at your neighbor’s fireside, at the bedside of the sick, in a quiet way you may read the Scriptures and speak a word for Jesus and the truth. Thus you may sow precious seed that will spring up and bring forth fruit.”6

There is no specific method in the Bible or in the Spirit of Prophecy as to how we can win souls, but the word of God clearly says that “he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). This means that we should do everything possible to bring souls to Christ. It could be through sharing what you have with others - giving people a lift, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, caring for the fatherless, or being hospitable.

“The suffering and destitute of all classes are our neighbors; and when their wants are brought to our knowledge, it is our duty to relieve them as far as possible. A principle is brought out in this parable that it would be well for the followers of Christ to adopt. First meet the temporal necessities of the needy and relieve their physical wants and sufferings, and you will then find an open avenue to the heart, where you may plant the good seed of virtue and religion.”7

Experience has shown that there has never been any successful method in missionary work than meeting first the temporal necessities of the needy and relieving their physical wants and sufferings, which gives a direct access to the soul.

“By personal labor reach those around you. Become acquainted with them. Preaching will not do the work that needs to be done. Angels of God attend you to the dwellings of those you visit. This work cannot be done by proxy. Money lent or given will not accomplish it. Sermons will not do it. By visiting the people, talking, praying, sympathizing with them, you will win hearts. This is the highest missionary work that you can do. To do it, you will need resolute, persevering faith, unwearying patience, and a deep love for souls.”8

“Go to your neighbors one by one, and come close to them till their hearts are warmed by your unselfish interest and love. Sympathize with them, pray with them, watch for opportunities to do them good, and as you can, gather a few together and open the Word of God to their darkened minds. Keep watching, as he who must render an account for the souls of men, and make the most of the privileges that God gives you of laboring with Him in His moral vineyard. Do not neglect speaking to your neighbors, and doing them all the kindness in your power, that you ‘by all means may save some.’ We need to seek for the spirit that constrained the apostle Paul to go from house to house pleading with tears, and teaching ‘repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Acts 20:21).”9

“Visit your neighbors in a friendly way, and become acquainted with them. . . . Those who do not take up this work, those who act with the indifference that some have manifested, will soon lose their first love, and will begin to censure, criticize, and condemn their own brethren.”10

“House-to-house laborers are needed. The Lord calls for decided efforts to be put forth in places where the people know nothing of Bible truth.”11

In our house-to-house evangelism, we shall find the following helpful:

1. Always put a smile on your face.

2. Be the first to greet people.

3. Learn to be sociable; say hello and start a conversation.

4. If possible, you can join in people’s own conversations in order to turn the conversation towards salvational issues. For example, a brother and I went to a place where people were very busy debating political issues. I was not very pleased when he joined the conversation. Shortly, however, he asked a question, “Do you know that this politics shall come to an end one day?” They answered with a question, “How can that be?” and the brother said, “The coming of Jesus will bring all these things to the end.” As a matter of fact, within a few minutes, none of them mentioned politics any more, but were very busy asking, “How shall His coming be?” Thus we were able to tell them more about Christ Jesus, and we were able to give them some pamphlets.

5. Do not be easily offended. The Spirit of Prophecy says, “Be not easily provoked. Let the praises of God be in your heart and upon your lips.”12

In our door-to-door evangelism, many who taunted us the first day we visited them are studying with us now.

“The presentation of the truth, in love and simplicity, from house to house, is in harmony with the instruction that Christ gave His disciples when He sent them out on their first missionary tour. By songs of praise, by humble, heartfelt prayers, many will be reached. The divine Worker will be present to send conviction to hearts. ‘I am with you always,’ is His promise. With the assurance of the abiding presence of such a helper we may labor with faith and hope and courage.”13