Common to all people is the fact that we are created in God's image. This truth overshadows cultural differences, social position, status, race, gender, and age; an important key to evangelism.

Each generation has its own way of expressing itself. New words emerge, and new trends constantly appear. Cars, houses, and kitchen designs change in style and form. It's easy to become “old-fashioned” nowadays. We continually experience ongoing, often “annoying,” cultural changes that try to challenge our little cultural bubble.

And in this world, according to Jesus’ mandate, we are called to be “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13–14). It is important to stay up to date with the constant changes in our society so we don’t isolate ourselves and believe we are the center of the universe. I said to my wife one day, “What happened to the songs we sang in our youth? A cultural treasure is gone, hidden and forgotten. No one sings them anymore.” She wisely replied, “Every generation has its own songs, for we humans are constantly evolving. You must learn to appreciate the new that comes along.” Well said. And to reach our generation most effectively, we must learn the new culture and its emerging patterns of thought. Even if we are not cultural experts, we can still be useful, for we all share a “common heritage” from the Creator’s hand.

Different – “but inside we are alike”

We humans are, in fact, created in God's image and possess qualities that do not change with shifting cultures. "In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them." (Gen 1:27) As God is eternal, so are we. We have been "spiritually programmed" to understand moral qualities. We have an inherent ability to believe in the unseen. When I studied sociology at a Canadian university a few years ago, the professor said something I appreciated: "All cultures indicate that there is a common trait among them all: They all have some form of belief in a god." Church father Augustine put it this way: "The human heart is restless until it finds its rest in God."

Even if we are not specialists in the latest trends or can’t hum the year’s biggest hit, we can still reach people today. We all like to be loved and respected. We are all searching for the answers to life’s four most important questions:

Why am I here? Where do I come from? Where am I going when I die? What is the divine like?

We must stop hiding behind cultural differences, gender, race, and age as obstacles to reaching people. The Bible says:

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.”

1 Pet 3:15

Jesus met a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well (John 4). She belonged to “another world”—another culture, another people, another religion. Yet she listened with great interest to what the Master said. She was intrigued by His spiritual language about “living water” and “worshiping the Father in spirit and truth.” She eventually understood what He meant. She realized He was the real deal. That was the most important thing!

The conversation with Jesus led her to salvation, and she went on to share her testimony of this overwhelming encounter with the Messiah with her entire town. As a result, the whole town came to the well, listened to the Messiah, and came to faith in Jesus. They were convinced they had met “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).

Good deeds show authenticity

Another door opener is good deeds, something everyone can understand. This can also open doors across cultures. It shows that we care about others, that we love people. It demonstrates the authenticity of our faith. The Apostle Peter emphasizes that good deeds are one of the most effective “evangelism methods” that exist; across cultures, social standing, status, race, gender, and age:

"Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation."

1 Pet 2:12

Here, Paul’s famous words are fitting:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Gal 3:28

Billy Graham used to say: God is the same, man is the same – and sin is the same. We are in the same boat.