Worship & Evangelism

by interlinc · February 2, 2023

by Andy Harrison • Youth Pastor • Planetshakers Church • Melbourne, Australia

Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful (Matt 9:37) and that is definitely still true for this generation today. Worship can be such a powerful tool in winning the lost, setting their hearts up for an encounter with the reality of God.

At Planetshakers and planetboom, we have always had the heart to reach young people for Jesus. We believe that God has called us to win our city and empower young people everywhere to reach their world for Christ. Worship music has been such a vital ingredient in achieving this goal and is such a powerful key for evangelism.

As we worship and lift Jesus up over a service or event, time and time again we see His presence manifest in that place and people moved as a result.

Perhaps you may imagine that for a typical outreach service we need to dial back the worship element and keep things more ‘seeker friendly.’ Of course, an awareness of the people in the room and what you are trying to achieve is important, but we believe that worship actually sets up the perfect atmosphere for people to put their faith in Jesus and receive Him as their Lord and Saviour.

For starters, God loves to move in the atmosphere of His people worshiping. The Bible says that “God inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3), and that “Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). As we worship and lift Jesus up over a service or event, time and time again we see His presence manifest in that place and people moved as a result. Hard hearts are softened in an atmosphere of His presence and it sets the perfect opportunity for an invitation to respond.

Youth Leaders Only, in its 38th year, helps youthworkers in thousands of churches be aware of the music their students are listening to, use all forms of music in their ministries, and equip their students to make wise choices about the music & media they have in their earbuds 9 hours every day. A membership costs less than the price of a pizza each month! The theme of the current YLO is “Evangelism: Making The Most Of Every Opportunity.” Click here to get it!

Just recently I had the privilege of being with our team in Manila, Philippines for 4 sold-out worship events in MOA Stadium. These nights are literally dedicated almost entirely to praise and worship, except for a small break of about 15 minutes after worship where I have the opportunity to jump off the drums and give a salvation altar call to the thousands who have gathered.

Aside from a couple of moments to compose myself and catch my breath, it never ceases to amaze me how open the atmosphere is! It’s alive with the presence of the One we’ve just been worshiping – and people can sense that! In fact, on each of these nights I started by saying, “We know that whenever we worship, the Holy Spirit moves on people’s hearts, making them aware of their need for a Saviour. I want to take the opportunity to lead you to Him tonight.”

It was almost as if, not too much really needs to be said other than to sum up the message of salvation. As we had been singing about Jesus – His reality, power, love, and grace, the words and music had been painting a picture in the minds and hearts of the people in the room. I now just needed to give them the opportunity to respond to Him.

I was also able to draw on my own salvation experience and testimony. You see, it was in the middle of worship at a youth camp when I was 13 that God touched my own heart.

All of a sudden I was made aware of the distance between a God that I had heard of and the current state of my heart and there had been no preacher or evangelist yet to explain it to me. The sound of other young people worshiping around me, the evidence of His reality in their life written on their faces, and the sense of God’s presence in the room were enough to move my heart! I was ready to respond, I just needed to be given the opportunity.

I’m so thankful to God that on that very night I was given that opportunity and I took it with both hands! Fast forward some 18 years and here I was in another atmosphere of worship – passing that opportunity on to thousands of others and so many of them responded too!

Andy Harrison is the leader of planetboom—the youth ministry of Planetshakers Church which cares for 4000+ teenagers weekly (as of 2020). At 14 years of age, Andy dedicated his life to serving Jesus after a radical encounter with God at a Planetshakers conference in 2002. In addition to pastoring and discipling young people of all backgrounds and cultures, Andy is an accomplished drummer and songwriter who not only passionately and faithfully serves his local church, but also travels the world extensively touring with the Planetshakers Band. He is a humble and powerfully-anointed communicator, gifted musician and renowned leader who has the unique ability to express his love for and faith in God with a level of intimacy and vulnerability that resounds with all generations—ultimately leading many to Christ.