In this inaugural episode of "Effective Evangelism," host Catherine Van Der Laan and guest co-host Gil Banton explore the foundational question: "Why do we share the gospel?" Gil, a campus minister with over 20 years of experience, shares his personal journey of encountering Jesus as a college student and how that transformation fuels his desire to share his faith. Catherine recounts her experience of being raised in a Christian home and initially sharing the gospel out of duty, evolving into a motivation rooted in love for Jesus.

The episode delves into the meaning of "gospel" as "good news" and challenges listeners to consider why Jesus is indeed good news and why it's imperative to share it. They discuss how Jesus redeems individuals and circumstances, helping people move from cynicism and depression to becoming more authentic and loving versions of themselves. The hosts also draw an interesting parallel between the Roman emperors' use of "gospel" to announce military conquests and Jesus's message of conquering sin and evil through love and humility.

For those questioning their own reasons for sharing the gospel, Gil advises reading the Gospel of Matthew (or Mark for a shorter introduction) and praying about individuals in their lives who don't yet know Jesus. The episode concludes by emphasizing that Christians don't need to be theological experts to share their faith; rather, people are often drawn to "encounter the God in you" and witness the transformative work of God in believers' lives.