 | |
| Abbreviation | EE |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1972 |
| Founder | D. James Kennedy |
| Type | Religious organizations |
| Purpose | Discipleship |
| Headquarters | Arden, North Carolina |
President | John B. Sorensen |
| Website | evangelismexplosion |
Evangelism Explosion (EE) is a Christian evangelistic discipleship ministry and training program. [1] [2]
Evangelism Explosion was started in 1962 by D. James Kennedy, senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. [3] Evangelism Explosion became an incorporated organization in 1972. [3]
In 1996, Tyndale House, published the 4th edition of Evangelism Explosion authored by D. James Kennedy on witnessing as a way of life, which was first published in January, 1970. [4]
In 1997, Evangelism Explosion published the results of a study which shows that the method was viewed as "confrontational evangelism". As a result of this, Evangelism Explosion announced that it was "changing its approach to emphasize relationship-building and discipling new believers." [5]
Evangelism Explosion has been published in a number of different forms, including Kids' EE, Hope For Kids in partnership with OneHope, [6] Seniors' EE, Deaf EE, Classic EE, Faith Talks, EE ChangeMakers, [7] Equip America, [8] Prison EE, Weavers, Glasses For Missions, EE for Generation, and XEE. [9] The latter is designed especially for members of Generations X and Y.
Evangelism Explosion is best known for its two "diagnostic questions" that users can ask non-Christians as a means of determining a "person's spiritual health", [10] and of stimulating an evangelistic conversation:
After the diagnostic questions, the evangelist is encouraged to explain the gospel in terms of grace, man, God, Christ, and faith. [11]
Evangelism Explosion's materials have been translated into over seventy languages. [3] Jeff Noblit suggests that it is "probably the most used and copied soul-winning training course ever embraced by Southern Baptists," [12] while Stan Guthrie suggests that it is "the best known and most widely used evangelistic training curriculum in church history." [13] It is used by over 20,000 churches worldwide. [14]
Evangelism Explosion officials claim that millions of people have come to Christ using the program. [13] In 2011, 324,000 people worldwide were trained in the program, while over 7.25 million people reportedly made a profession of faith as a result of its use. [15] Five years later, the organization claimed 10.7 million people professed faith in Christ in 2016. [16]
David L. Larsen suggests that Evangelism Explosion has "brought a quickening of the evangelistic pulse", and has "provided a most helpful and practical vehicle for witness." Larsen notes, however, that "not everyone is comfortable" with "its more vigorous 'button-holing'." [17]
In a study done among non-Christian Thai people, all of them spoke negatively about the witnessing approach of EE. One respondent said,
I would be upset. It is ridiculous and strange. I do not know who will die first, the interrogator or me. I would simply walk away. I do not want anyone to talk about death. It is a depressive issue. [18]