Jon Boat Evangelist

We backed the boats down the ramp just as the sun laid down over the last remaining ripples on a lake that was tired and worn. Wake boats and skis had kept the water jostled within its constricting boundaries, but things were starting to settle. A stillness was falling as the last bit of daylight faded and a handful of friends made their way down to their humble fleet of Jon boats tied to the dock. Wobbly legs found their footing and soon each man had a seat. We then idled off into the dark, buckling lifejackets and double checking our bow lights as we went. It was time to catch some catfish. 

You can catch catfish at any point in the day, but for some reason it feels more adventurous, or maybe just more ominous, to venture out into deep water in deeper darkness to let your line stretch toward the bottom of both. Who knows what you might catch! Each summer through most of high school and college this was how myself and my group of hometown friends would spend our evenings. 

We had our favorite spots where we preferred to anchor out with our little aluminum boats. Depending on how many decided to go, we might take anywhere from one to three boats with three or four young men in each boat. I have had as many as five in a sixteen foot War Eagle. Cramped as it was at times, nights like those are among my most memorable. We’d catch some fish every now and again, which was fun no doubt, but this isn’t really a story about catfish or how we caught them. Truth be told, those outings weren’t so much about fishing in the first place. I think that was just the excuse we used to get out of the house. This is really a story about what happens when young men get together and just start talking. 

Talking, we did that more than anything during those late nights out on the lake. Between baiting hooks, untangling lines, and taking puffs from cheap cigars we’d laugh and tell old stories. After the first hour or so, we’d forget about the lines in the water as we bounced from tale to tale. Late nights and Jon boats bring their share of crude humor and funny stories, but deeper conversations form as the night wanes on. 

Stories about girls and parties eventually come to an end and in the midst of the quiet, hungry souls start to groan. I have seen it happen. Inevitably, someone will mention God or ask a question that creates a hush over the group. Gentle waves lap up against the sides of the boats as each man starts to ponder. Some may offer a response, others might just sit and listen. I was always eager for those moments, an opportunity for the gospel. 

I have witnessed confessions of sin and professions of faith alike, all from the comfort of a little bobbing Jon boat. I have asked and attempted to answer tough questions regarding faith, the Bible, and how a Christian ought to live. Jon boat evangelism is a powerful thing. I have shared my own story of faith and what the Bible teaches about repentance and what it means to believe. I have encouraged and called out friends in efforts to point them back to Christ, while many have done the same for me. 

The Jon boat is a sacred place, one where wayward hearts can be soothed. Christ himself preached from the deck of a fishing boat once upon a time (Mark 4:1). Now, Jesus got into that boat so the crowds could see and hear him better, but I think he was onto something. I think it's no coincidence either that Jesus taught his disciples so many lessons regarding the Kingdom from inside a boat. Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) and walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-33) are two stories that come to mind. Perhaps, he knew there was a deeper connection between boats, water, and a soul in need of saving. 

God gives great gifts to believers in order that they would participate in the work of expanding the Kingdom. Some are given great powers of speaking or the ability to reason and convince others of hard truths. Some are gifted with special talents and abilities, designed to serve others and show them Christ. And some are given a Jon boat. 

Does that sound silly? Can a cheap little boat really be a divine gift? I would argue that one of the greatest tools for ministry that I have received is an aluminum Jon boat. It’s there that I have, quite literally, a captive audience. Where will those aboard go if we embark on a heavenly conversation? Will they swim to shore to escape the gospel? I suppose they could, but I have yet to see it.  

In all seriousness, many people will never walk through the doors of a church to hear the gospel or go to lunch with a friend to talk about what weighs heavy in their life, but an invitation to go fishing is usually well received.  Do not underestimate the power of personalized Christian witness. By that, I don’t mean that we should twist any truths of the gospel to make it more palatable, rather I am strongly advocating for taking the gospel to places where only you can. Remember, no Christian is exempt from the great commission. 

Matthew 28:19

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

Go and make disciples. Wherever you find yourself, take the gospel there. I am not a pastor, but I am a follower of Christ. I have no pulpit, but I do have the Spirit living inside me. I am no preacher, but I am a Jon boat evangelist. I think the world needs more of both. 

I baptized my own brother in the same lake where we spent those long nights in the boat. I have no doubt that the Lord used some of those conversations over the years to slowly draw my brother’s heart toward him. Like squeezing the bulb on a gas line, I think God primes hearts to receive the gospel in ordinary places. Who better to preach the gospel in those ordinary places than ordinary people? 

Maybe you don’t have a boat, but do you have an office, a classroom, or a delivery route? The gospel needs to penetrate even what seems mundane. We need more cubicle working, truck driving, ditch digging evangelists. Share your faith wherever you find yourself, tell people about Christ, seek his face daily, and pray that the Lord would open up doors for gospel work to be done. 

It may take time to see fruit from your efforts, but faithful witness is never wasted. So go, evangelize, make disciples. Work the fields where Christ has placed you. 

I am a Jon boat evangelist. 

What kind of evangelist has He called you to be?