Nick Hall of Pulse Evangelism: Is Evangelism Outdated in 2026?

Host: Renée & Brandon Collins

Guest: Nick Hall (Founder of Pulse)

Opening Anecdotes: Brandon shares his “Open Air Evangelism” experience in New York City; Renée recalls the high-pressure “beach evangelism” of the early 2000s.
The Problem: Evangelism has historically been viewed as a “package” or an awkward “information delivery” rather than a conversation.
The Big Question: Is evangelism outdated in 2026, or has the tension always been there?

The Origin Story: How a 2004 college English paper turned into a global movement (Pulse).
Personal Transformation: Nick’s shift from “doing things for God” to “feeling loved by God.”
The 20-Year Perspective: Observing the transition from student outreach to a life’s work of fueling evangelism.

What Must Die: The “hit-and-run” model, the obnoxious street corner approach, and the idea that evangelism is only for the “loud and bold.”
What is Reborn: Evangelism as “declaring and sharing Good News.”
The “Buckeye Fan” Analogy: We are vocal about sports, beer, and tech; why is there a “lunacy of silence” regarding the greatest story ever told?
The Road to Conversion: Understanding that while some are one conversation away, most are 20 conversations and a lot of “trauma processing” away.

The Current Hunger: Why the “ground has shifted.” Despite predictions of secularization, Gen Z is proving to be the most spiritual generation.
Spiritual Trends: High Bible sales, openness to church invitations, and a rejection of “Manicured Christianity.”
Authenticity Over Production: Examples like Forrest Frank; Gen Z craves raw, honest, and “spirit-led” expression.
The Mission: “Unleashing each generation to reach their generation.”

The Five-Fold Recipe (Ephesians 4):
- Teachers: Make the Bible come alive.
- Shepherds: Protect the flock and prioritize discipleship.
- Evangelists: Provide the urgency and burden for the lost.
The Missing Link: Why many churches struggle because they lack an “evangelist” on their leadership team.
Culture Wars vs. Evangelism: In the absence of an evangelist’s voice, “sinners become the enemy” instead of the mission.

Evangelism is a conversation
- Asking questions and being a dedicated listener is important to establishing a pathway to Christ for others.
- Often, it’s easier for others to engage with the reasons you value a relationship with Christ than it is to engage with why they should have that relationship themselves.
How to approach sharing the gospel
- Being kind to those who you see on a regular basis can be a great pathway into a conversation about faith
- Nick Hall states the importance of being the kind of person that brings a positive and caring energy into the room, and how that can be a great way to lead others to Jesus.
Talk to God
- Sometimes, when it comes to evangelism, God’s plan for how we should share the gospel is different than our plan for how to share God’s word
- Its important to talk to God about how we can serve his church before we make our own decisions on what that looks like.

Brandon Collins – brandon.collins@ministryarchitects.com

Renee Wilson – renee.wilson@ministryarchitects.com

Nick Hall – nickhall.com

Consulting