Last weekend I included in my message a section in which I encouraged you to be open about your faith. Maybe you sat there saying, I'm no evangelist! I'm just-a housewife, just-a retired guy, just-a kid! For this week's installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I'll point you to a guy who lived back in Bible times who felt like he was just-a helper. He had some fear to overcome, some anxiety. I'm talking about Timothy. Let's listen in to some snippets of the counsel he received from the Apostle Paul. 1 Tim. 4:12 - "don't let anyone look down on you because you are young." 14 - "do not neglect your gift..." 15 - "be diligent in these matters..." 2 Tim 1:7 - "God did not give us a spirit of timidity..." 8 - "so do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord..." 2:1 - "Be strong..." 4:5 - "Do the work of an evangelist." Let's take these thoughts to heart. That last one is particularly interesting. I don't think Paul viewed Timothy as someone who was gifted as an evangelist. Though this wasn't his main role, and it may not be your perfect niche, we are all responsible to be open with our faith. Some may be specialists, but we all can be used to glorify God by leading people to follow Jesus!