As a teenager, I had big dreams of serving God. I surrendered to preach at fourteen and knew God had called me to be an evangelist. I couldn’t wait for the day I’d be preaching to crowds, giving the gospel boldly, and seeing people saved. But in my mind, that calling was something for the future. Something that would start once I got to Bible college, or had a ministry position, or got a little older.
So while I was excited about someday being used by God, I didn’t really expect Him to use me much now.
Sure, I kept a few tracts in my pocket—just in case. I figured if the conversation came up naturally, or if I was standing in silence with a cashier, I might as well hand one out. But I wasn’t planning to give the gospel. I was basically hoping I’d do it on accident.
Then God shook me up.
The Fear That Held Me Back
When I was sixteen, I started working nights at a huge grocery distribution center. Hundreds of people worked there—many of them teens like me. I had countless opportunities, but for the first six months, I didn’t witness to a single person.
I had my excuses. I told myself I needed to build relationships first. Or that if I just lived out my faith, people would see the difference and ask about it.
But no one ever did. And deep down, I knew the truth.
At a youth conference that fall, Dr. Jim Van Gelderen preached a message on The Fear of Man. I don’t remember every point, but I remember what God said to me: “Ryan, you’re ashamed of Me.” That hit hard.
Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” I realized I had wanted people to know me for my hunting stories, my work ethic, or my sense of humor—but not for Jesus.
That night, I told the Lord I would stop waiting. I would stop hoping to give the gospel by accident and start doing it on purpose.
God Cleared the Way
The next night I went to work determined to obey. I didn’t know how it would happen—I wasn’t about to steal company time to witness—but I told the Lord I’d be ready when He opened the door.
And then He did.
That night, for the first time ever, our company ran out of refrigerated trailers. Work ground to a halt. Everyone stood around waiting—and talking. It was as if God paused the shift just so I could share the gospel.
So I started walking around with my stack of tracts, telling people how they could know for sure they were going to heaven.
And that night was only the beginning.
God Started Saving My Coworkers
One guy, Tim, had mocked me before for being a Christian. But when I gave him a tract that night, he actually thanked me. A week later, he told me he’d read it and memorized the prayer on the back. I invited him to meet me after work, and at 2 a.m., I led him to Christ.
Tim started coming to church and gave the Lord every Sunday.
Then it was Dominic. Then Chase. Then Cole. One after another, guys from work started getting saved—many of them known in the warehouse for drinking and partying. Some, like Cole, didn’t want to hear it at first. But God used their friends (and even a pickup truck blocking traffic) to give me the chance to talk to them. Cole trusted Christ too.
There were others: Tyler, Ed, Pavel, and even our manager. I chased him down in the parking lot one night and offered to tell him how to know for sure he was going to heaven. He listened, and about thirty minutes later, he got saved sitting right there in his car.
Before I left for college, twenty-six of my coworkers had trusted Christ.
What Made the Difference
I’m not telling you this because I’m something special. I’m not. I’ve never been naturally bold, and I still have to surrender every day.
But I did make one simple decision: I stopped giving the gospel by accident, and I started giving it on purpose.
That changed everything.
You Can Do This, Too
Don’t waste your teenage years thinking ministry starts later. Some of the greatest things God will ever do through you could happen right now—if you’ll just surrender.
Get some tracts. Start praying. Look for opportunities. Make time to go out with your church or with a friend. Ask the Lord for divine appointments—and then walk into them by faith.
Because the gospel is still “the power of God unto salvation.” But someone has to give it.
Let it be you.
Give the gospel on purpose.
Ryan Swanson is host of the Satisfied program, director of Satisfied Ministries, creator of The Cord App, and the son-in-law to Jim and Rhonda Van Gelderen. He, his wife, and his son travel the country in evangelism conducting revival meetings and purity seminars.
Our words. AI polished. This article was adapted from the author's original content using AI. We’ve used technology to clarify and adapt the message—while keeping the heart and voice the same. All articles are proofread and edited by a human.
