A Review by Geoff Thomas

Coming September 2025 from Christian Focus Publications 

An immediate, sweet sense of friendship arose when I read this book. First, there is my ongoing friendship with the author across the years, which culminated when, in the providence of God, I visited Providence, Rhode Island, to stay with him and his family over Thanksgiving 2023. What golden hours!

Second, there is the pleasure of renewing friendships with such old-timers as C. H. Spurgeon and Herman Bavinck and true contemporary brethren like J. I. Packer, Don Whitney, and Ernest Reisinger. These are men whom the author, Rob Ventura appreciates and honors and for whom I also hold in great affection and indebtedness.

As I jumped into this warmly encouraging volume, it sweetly provoked me to a series of crucial questions and answers: Why is evangelism essential? (Sinners are lost and heading to hell.) What is the motive for evangelism? (The glory of God and the good of man.) Is the biblical teaching about God’s election a friend of the Great Commission or not? (A friend.) Who are the agents of evangelism? (You, my fellow believers, and me.) What is the method and means of evangelism? (Us! Each Christian, from the newest believer to the old saint.)

As Ventura teaches us, it was Peter who was sent to Cornelius’ house—not an angel. It was Philip who was sent to a desert place to a man in a vehicle, reading the Scriptures but not understanding. Paul saw a vision of a man from Europe saying, “Come and help us!” God does not send angels to proclaim the gospel. He sends sinners saved by grace. People are God’s means: mothers, young people, and men on their deathbeds. He uses lisping and stammering tongues, and the words do not fall to the ground.

And what is our message? We, sinful rebels, deserve eternal death because we have sinned against a holy, loving God. But Jesus Christ, the Son of God, because He loved us, died for us so that we at last might go to heaven, being saved by His precious blood as we put our hope and trust in who He is and what He has achieved all by himself.

The twofold result is: a new fragrance of life for those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, or the stench of deathly decay for those who turn their backs on Him. And the one who is saved is no lone bloom standing in a glass vase on a windowsill, to be admired in isolation. Rather, he always and only grows within the beautiful bed of fellow fragrant flowers, the happy communion of the local congregation of believers, of which he is a humble part.

How are we enabled to survive and mature in a world that defies and demeans our Lord? Rob reminds us that it is by the power of the Holy Spirit, to whom we have unlimited access as our Counselor and our indwelling presence. Be sure you are not quenching Him, and always be aware of your need for fresh supplies of His work in and through you. This is a grace He is more willing to give than you are to ask.

Then, at the end of each chapter, there are helpful working questions to ensure that I had taken in the warm, convicting truths I had been reading. This certainly makes the book suitable for a regular study group, and the questions also help stir our silent tongues and often cold hearts. We evangelize in obedience to the “Great Commission.” It is a “great” directive because of the One who gave it, the One who enables us to fulfill it, and the One who promises He will always be with us as we say a word for Him, ensuring that not a syllable falls to the ground. With this, I heartily commend this delightfully practical book and pray that it will be profitable to many worldwide.

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Geoff Thomas, former pastor for over fifty years of Alfred Place Baptist Church (Independent), Aberystwyth, Wales