When Evangelism Hurts: A Personal Reflection on Rejection While on RevivEE

I came to Romania to share the gospel of Jesus with a nation that is deeply religious yet largely unfamiliar with God’s Word. Nearly everyone here identifies as Eastern Orthodox—one of the oldest Christian traditions—but many attend services only on Christmas or Easter and have never opened a Bible. For many, Christianity is cultural, inherited, or something to cling to in moments of crisis. But not a daily relationship with God, and not a walk shaped by Scripture.

Four days a week, I’m on the streets of Bucharest giving people the opportunity to take a step closer to God—to explore their faith, ask questions, and open the Scriptures for themselves. A majority are not interested-busy is their primary justification. And to be fair, Romanians are incredibly kind—most people reject us gently and respectfully. But kindness doesn’t always mean honesty. Many express interest in studying the Bible, only to disappear and ignore every attempt to actually meet. I’ve stopped counting the number of times I’ve been left on “seen.” After reaching out to hundreds of people, I’ve only sat down for three Bible studies.

I expected evangelism to be hard, but not this hard. I thought I would be more effective. I thought my heart would handle rejection better. But when you spend your days sharing your faith—your love for Jesus, your deepest convictions—and people turn away, give excuses, or avoid eye contact on the sidewalk, it’s impossible not to feel it. On RevivEE, evangelism is not occasional. It’s woven into every walk, every bus ride, every conversation. And so is rejection.

The Weight of Personal Rejection

No one prepares you for how personal rejection feels. Even when I intellectually know they’re rejecting God, not me, the emotional sting is still very real. Evangelism is vulnerable. You are offering people the most intimate part of your life—your relationship with Christ. When someone brushes you off, it’s hard not to feel brushed off yourself.

I often think of Samuel, who mourned because Israel wanted a human king instead of God. And God said to him:

“It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” — 1 Samuel 8:7

This verse has carried me through many discouraging days because it reminds me of the truth: We feel the rejection, but God receives the rejection. We carry the emotion, but God carries the reality.

Still, knowing this doesn’t make it painless. It doesn’t stop me from walking home wondering, Did I say something wrong? Did I miss an opportunity? Do people see Jesus in my life? Are my convictions not strong enough? Rejection whispers lies—“You’re not effective.” “You’re not spiritual enough.” “You’re not helping.”

But Scripture tells a different story.

Jesus Was Rejected First

When rejection stings, I remember that Jesus Himself was rejected—again and again—by His own people.

“He was despised and rejected by mankind… a man of suffering, familiar with pain.” — Isaiah 53:3

If He walked a path filled with rejection, why would I expect mine to be smooth?

And then there is His comforting reminder:

“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me.” — Luke 10:16

This is the heart of mission work: I am not the Savior. I am not the message. I am only the messenger.

My job is obedience.
God’s job is transformation.

RevivEE continually teaches me that faithfulness matters far more than numbers. God measures my willingness to show up, not how many people say “yes.”

The Hidden Gift of Rejection

There are days when rejection leaves me exhausted, discouraged, or even numb. But there are other days when it reminds me that I’m sharing in the sufferings of Christ—not in a dramatic way, but in an everyday way. By offering my heart knowing it might be dismissed, I’m learning humility, dependence, and deeper compassion.

Paul captures this tension:

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ… To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” — 2 Corinthians 2:15–16

The gospel will always produce two reactions:
– Openness in those God is drawing.
– Resistance in those not yet ready.

My role is simply to walk through Bucharest allowing God to speak through me.

Rejection is not proof that I’m failing. It’s proof that the message is powerful.

Continuing the Mission With Courage

RevivEE has stretched my faith more than any season of my life. I’ve learned the courage it takes to evangelize daily in a culture that sometimes feels spiritually indifferent or skeptical. I’ve gained a new confidence in the Word—I believe it deeply enough to be rejected for it. And in every vulnerable moment, when discouragement creeps in, I find myself relying on God in ways I never had to before.

Through it all, God has been reminding me of one profound truth: My identity must rest in Him—not in people’s responses.

When someone rejects the message, God sees me.
When someone ignores me, God hears me.
When someone walks away, God walks with me.

And when even one open soul listens? It makes every unanswered invitation worth it.

Additional Scriptures That Have Carried Me These Last Few Months

• John 15:18 — “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
• Luke 6:22 — “Blessed are you when people hate you… on account of the Son of Man!”
• 1 Peter 2:4 — “A living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious to God.”
• Isaiah 41:9 — “I have chosen you and not rejected you.”
• Psalm 118:22 — “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”