Empty Nest Evangelism by Charlotte Guest
Gordy Guest, former Influencers Tulsa Board Member and Journey Guide, and his wife, Charlotte, had an evangelism opportunity on a golf course in Phoenix recently, which they felt they missed. It prompted them to dig into how to better Live it Out as they go about daily living. Charlotte compiled her thoughts into a great Blog we wanted to share with you.
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Extraordinary opportunities arise in ordinary ways.
How our conversations about Christ can lead others to our Lord.
On a sunny February day in Scottsdale, Arizona, my husband Gordy and I headed out to enjoy what we thought would be a fun afternoon of golf. Kicking off Gordy’s retirement, we happily left the winter weather behind in our hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma and went to Scottsdale to enjoy some fun in the sun. Little did we know that the Lord had much in store to teach us about how to be better prepared to share about Him. That day on the course, and in the next days that followed, we sensed that our Father wanted us to have a little fun in His Son…teaching us that extraordinary opportunities to share about Jesus can arise in ordinary conversations.
One afternoon we played golf with two local brothers-in-law from the area. Desiring to learn more about Scottsdale, we asked them for suggestions for local restaurants and fun things to do. Then, we followed up with the question, “Would you recommend a church?”
The conversation quickly took an uncomfortable turn as each replied rather curtly, “We don’t go to church” and “We aren’t church people.” We paused, sensed they both were uneasy (as were we) but followed up with “We found a nice church we like if you’d ever like to go and another church we visited is close to your neighborhoods.” They were nice, politely said, “Thanks” and we headed to tee off at the next hole.
As we played the last five holes together, our conversations resumed, and we played on without anything seeming different from the first 13 holes.
Later that day, Gordy and I discussed the awkward, uncomfortable moment that followed our question to those golf guys about church. We wondered “How could we have done that differently?” and “Could we have better kept that conversation going and shared about Christ?” We prayed about that and will keep praying, asking the Lord to reveal to us what He’d like for us to know about how to better share about Him in our encore years.
There will be may opportunities as we continue to travel, golf, dine out, visit with servers, check out clerks and people we meet just doing our regular days. We’d like to “do our days” with intentionality. It’s our hearts desire to recognize divine appointments and that we’ll have many opportunities to share about Jesus, our faith in Him and our relationship with Him.
Yet, due to that golf round, the pause and the uncomfortable moment that followed when we asked about church, we knew we could improve our readiness to share about our faith and our walks with Christ.
We asked some people we trust:
“How can we do better - the next time we have an awkward pause – when asking about church, then sharing about our faith?”
Here are their wise answers:
One friend suggested that we could ask, “Have you ever been exposed to church?” or “Did you not grow up going to church?” That might prompt a continued conversation. We appreciated his wise advice that “Ultimately you have to get away from “church” and move into talking about “the person of Christ.” We wholeheartedly agree. Also, we find such truth in this anonymous quote: “People may not run into a church, but they run into you.”
Another friend suggested we ask, “Have you had a bad experience with church?” If they reply “Yes” we can share a time from our life where maybe we did too and share our story. Hopefully, we can follow up with, “But we are thankful we’ve moved away from a rules-based lifestyle and enjoy the freedom that comes from having a relationship with Christ.” We also could talk about how finding the right church is important and how it has been a blessing in our lives.”
Another friend shared this: “They didn’t happen to move the conversation farther, but you brought up the idea. One seldom knows when a simple conversation prompts something else in someone’s life to make a decision. Maybe God used you and Gordy to be light along the way. Other times, only when it feels right, we can take a step further by asking about kids and families and we slip in ‘If you or your wife or kids ever want a great spiritual shot in the arm, the church we have been visiting sure is great and they have a wonderful youth program’ is a good way to farther the conversation. He added, ‘And some, who have the gift of evangelism use those last 5 holes to boldly proclaim the gospel, but I don’t think everyone is called to do that every time’.”
Other friends shared these words: “You could have asked - does anybody in your family go?” or “Why don’t you go?” Then, they encouraged us to have Gordy speak man to man to them, boldly, swiftly and not abrasively…saying something like: “Yeah, I have felt that way before too” and to use the analogy: “Like my golf game often needs a golf pro, I have found that a good pastor and the right church improves my life, my marriage and my relationships.” Then, to ask more questions if we can like: “Did you have a bad experience with a church?” and to listen, or say: “I guess there is a backstory as to why you don’t go.” If we can relate in any way, go there. They also said it can be easier to say “Tell me more about that…” and see where the conversation goes.
Those friends also sent this to us from Phil Cooke - a strategic advisor to church, nonprofit, and media leaders navigating high-stakes moments at the intersection of faith, media, and culture.
“In a culture that doesn’t trust preachers, or platforms, there’s still one thing people can’t easily dismiss: Your story
Revelation reminds us that we overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony” (Rev. 12:7). Notice what’s paired together. The finished work of Christ — and your willingness to talk about what He’s done in your life.
The cross is the power. But your testimony is the delivery system.
For years, Christians have tried to argue people into the Kingdom. We’ve mastered apologetics, crafted sermons, built media platforms, and launched campaigns. None of that is wrong. But in a skeptical, post-Christian culture, arguments often bounce off hardened hearts.
Stories slip past defenses.
When you say, “Here’s who I was. Here’s what God did. Here’s who I am now,” you’re not debating. You’re bearing witness. And no one can argue with a changed life.
Your testimony doesn’t have to be dramatic. It doesn’t need a prison sentence, an addiction recovery, or a lightning-bolt conversion moment. The power isn’t in how extreme your past was. The power is in transformation.
Did Christ give you peace when anxiety ruled your life? Did He restore your marriage? Did He give you purpose when you were drifting?That’s evangelism.
The early church didn’t have podcasts, livestreams, or marketing strategies. They had eyewitness accounts. “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” That kind of authenticity shook the Roman Empire.
Here’s the hard truth: many believers stay silent because they’re afraid — of rejection, awkwardness, or saying it wrong. But the enemy thrives in silence. Revelation doesn’t say we overcome by clever arguments. It says we overcome by the blood — and the testimony.
Your story is evidence. Your story is hope. Your story is spiritual warfare.
If you want to share your faith, start here: write your testimony in three minutes or less. Practice telling it naturally. Look for moments in conversations where it fits organically.
You don’t need a stage. You don’t need a microphone.
You just need the courage to speak.
Because when you tell your story, you’re not just talking.
You’re overcoming.”
Those above words are powerful, aren’t they, and are wonderful food (and fruit) for thought.
Gordy and I also treasure the wise words of Billy Graham found his online pamphlet “Simply Sharing Jesus”. The entirely of that information is here: SimplySharingJesus.pdf
In summary, it says:
“Know your role Remember this: You can’t open someone’s heart to the Gospel—only God can, by His Spirit. Our job isn’t to save people. It’s simply to point them to the Truth and let God do the rest.
Pray for open hearts and open doors. The most important part of sharing your faith is to pray for those you interact with. If you can’t think of anyone who isn’t a Christian, pray for God to place someone in your life who needs Him. Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. As Billy Graham once said, ‘Prayer is crucial in evangelism: … No matter how logical our arguments or how fervent our appeals, our words will accomplish nothing unless God’s Spirit prepares the way.’ Pray for the opportunity to share, the words to speak, and open hearts for those who hear.
When you share the Gospel, be ready to also share true stories of God’s power in your own life. No matter how ordinary your life may seem, you have a story to tell, and you never know what it can mean to someone until you share it. Jesus often talked in parables so people could better grasp God’s plans, instructions, and power. In the same way, you can use personal experiences and stories to relate to others and tell them about Christ. Keep in mind that you may only have a few minutes. Try writing down your story—and focus on a few key points. Then practice telling it, so it comes naturally.
Finally, when you help a person in coming to faith in Christ, remember that this individual is a spiritual baby (1 Peter 2:2). In order to grow, an infant needs nurture and care. The same is true spiritually; encourage your friend to begin to read the Bible and pray regularly. Help him or her find a Bible-teaching church in order to have fellowship with other believers in Christ and continue to grow.”
Gordy and I are grateful we have dug in to “better prepare to share.” We look forward to the divine appointments that are to come in our empty nesting years. A quote often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words.” It is our hope for us, and for others in our encore years, that we live out what is shared in 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times…” The world needs to hear about our Savior who is, indeed, mighty to save.
Life in Christ is meant to be lived fully, at every age and stage. Let’s be ready, always, to share about what He has done for us.
“They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, The Lord is upright, he is my Rock…”
Psalms 92:14-15
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared
to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15-16
Charlotte Guest | The Empty Nest Guest Podcast | Author | Speaker