{{short description|Christian organization}} {{Infobox organization | name = Evangelism Explosion | image = Evangelism Explosion logo.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | abbreviation = EE | predecessor = | merged_into = | successor = | formation = {{start date|1972}} | founder = D. James Kennedy | leader_title = President | leader_name = John B. Sorensen | extinction = <!-- e.g. use {{end date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | merger = | type = Religious organizations | tax_id = <!-- or | vat_id = (for non-profit org) --> | registration_id = <!-- for non-profit org --> | status = | purpose = Discipleship | headquarters = Arden, North Carolina | location = | coordinates = | region_served = | services = | products = | methods = | fields = | membership = | website = {{url|evangelismexplosion.org}} | former_name = }} '''Evangelism Explosion''' ('''EE''') is a Christian evangelistic discipleship ministry and training program.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us|url=https://evangelismexplosion.org/about-us/what-is-ee/ |website=Evangelism Explosion - About Us |publisher=Evangelism Explosion |accessdate=22 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.eeafrica.org/about-us |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=Evangelism Explosion Africa |language=en}}</ref>
==History== Evangelism Explosion was started in 1962 by D. James Kennedy, senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.<ref name=History>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://evangelismexplosion.org/about-us/history/|publisher=Evangelism Explosion|accessdate=12 February 2013}}</ref> Evangelism Explosion became an incorporated organization in 1972.<ref name=History />
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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kennedy |first=D. James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QXDbbvKJihkC&dq=editions:ISBN0842307648 |title=Evangelism Explosion |date=1996 |publisher=Tyndale House Publishers |isbn=978-0-8423-0764-2 |language=en}}</ref>
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."<ref>{{cite news|last=Lawton|first=Kim A.|title=Outreach: Evangelism Explosion Retools its Approach|url=http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/1997/march3/7t3058.html|accessdate=13 February 2013|newspaper=Christianity Today|date=3 March 1997}}</ref>
Evangelism Explosion has been published in a number of different forms, including Kids' EE, Hope For Kids in partnership with OneHope,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoskins |first=Rob |date=2014-02-12 |title=The power of peer evangelism for kids |url=https://robhoskins.onehope.net/the-power-of-peer-evangelism-for-kids/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=Rob Hoskins |language=en-US}}</ref> Seniors' EE, Deaf EE, Classic EE, Faith Talks, EE ChangeMakers,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us – EE Changemakers |url=https://eechangemakers.org/about-us/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=eechangemakers.org}}</ref> Equip America,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Equip America |url=https://equipamerica.org/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=Equip America |language=en-US}}</ref> Prison EE, Weavers, Glasses For Missions, EE for Generation, and XEE.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Programs – Evangelism Explosion {{!}} EE International |url=https://evangelismexplosion.org/programs/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |language=en-US}}</ref> The latter is designed especially for members of Generations X and Y.
==Content== 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",<ref name=Peel>{{cite book|last=Peel|first=William Carr|title=Going Public With Your Faith: Becoming a Person of Spiritual Influence at Work|year=2003|publisher=Zondervan|page=153|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fx_A9ujxFU4C&pg=PA153}}</ref> and of stimulating an evangelistic conversation: #Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you can say you know for certain that if you were to die today you would go to heaven? #Suppose that you were to die today and stand before God and he were to say to you, "Why should I let you into my heaven?" what would you say? After the diagnostic questions, the evangelist is encouraged to explain the gospel in terms of grace, man, God, Christ, and faith.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pockock|first=Michael|last2=Van Rheenen|first2=Gailyn|last3=McConnell|first3=Douglas|title=The Changing Face of World Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends|year=2005|publisher=Baker Academic|page=180|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hSlUS36w6dcC&pg=PA180}}</ref>
==Use== Evangelism Explosion's materials have been translated into over seventy languages.<ref name=History /> Jeff Noblit suggests that it is "probably the most used and copied soul-winning training course ever embraced by Southern Baptists,"<ref>{{cite book|last=Noblit|first=Jeff|title=Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue|chapter=The Rise of Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention: Reason for Rejoicing|year=2008|publisher=B&H Publishing Group|page=104|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zVgsogYlGjsC&pg=PA104}}</ref> while Stan Guthrie suggests that it is "the best known and most widely used evangelistic training curriculum in church history."<ref name=Guthrie>{{cite web|last=Guthrie|first=Stan|title=A Passion for Souls: Remembering D. James Kennedy|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/septemberweb-only/136-43.0.html|publisher=Christianity Today|accessdate=13 February 2013}}</ref> It is used by over 20,000 churches worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=James D.|title=Evangelism Explosion marks 50 years|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-02-22/features/sfl-fv-religion-blog-evangelism-explosion_1_sorensen-ee-evangelism-explosion|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221080217/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-02-22/features/sfl-fv-religion-blog-evangelism-explosion_1_sorensen-ee-evangelism-explosion|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2015|accessdate=13 February 2013|newspaper=Sun-Sentinel|date=22 February 2012}}</ref>
Evangelism Explosion officials claim that millions of people have come to Christ using the program.<ref name=Guthrie /> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Evangelism Explosion Celebrates 50 Years, Looks to Next 50|url=http://nrb.org/news_room/articles/evangelism-explosion-celebrates-50-years-looks-to-next-50/|publisher=National Religious Broadcasters|accessdate=13 February 2013}}</ref> Five years later, the organization claimed 10.7 million people professed faith in Christ in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://evangelismexplosion.org/about-us/annual-results/|title=Annual Results - Evangelism Explosion|work=Evangelism Explosion|access-date=2018-02-09|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Evaluation== 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'."<ref>{{cite book|last=Larsen|first=David L.|title=The Evangelism Mandate: Recovering the Centrality of Gospel Preaching|year=2002|publisher=Kregel Academic|page=126|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=njaFqQPAp-cC&pg=PA126}}</ref>
In a study done among non-Christian Thai people, all of them spoke negatively about the witnessing approach of EE. One respondent said, <blockquote>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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mejudhon|first=Ubolwan|title=Peoples of the Buddhist World: A Christian Prayer Diary|chapter=The Thai Way of Meekness|year=2004|publisher=William Carey Library|pages=282|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OzEOKNPsv2EC&pg=PA282}}</ref> </blockquote>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official|http://evangelismexplosion.org/}} *[https://eeafrica.org Evangelism Explosion Africa] *[https://eeuganda.org Evangelism Explosion Uganda]
Category:Evangelical organizations established in the 20th century Category:Christian organizations established in 1972 Category:Christian missions Category:Learning programs Category:Christian organizations based in the United States Category:Training organizations Category:Organizations based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Category:Evangelism Category:1972 establishments in Florida