evangelists

An evangelist is a person who proclaims and promotes a particular set of beliefs, often with the aim of converting others. In religious contexts, the term is most closely associated with Christianity, where evangelists seek to spread the gospel and persuade people to adopt or renew the faith. In broader usage, the term can refer to someone who advocates a cause, idea, movement, or product, acting as a passionate public spokesperson.

The word derives from Latin evangelium, the Gospel, and from Greek euangelistes, “one who brings good news.” The term has been used in various Christian traditions to describe itinerant preachers, missionaries, or organizers of revival meetings, and it is sometimes applied to the authors of the canonical gospels in some church contexts.

In Christian contexts, evangelists may work within churches, independent ministries, or mass-media campaigns, using sermons, crusades, books, radio, television, or the internet to share their message. Notable historical figures include Billy Graham and Dwight L. Moody; more recent figures such as Reinhard Bonnke and Oral Roberts have also been prominent.

In secular or contemporary contexts, “evangelist” describes someone who promotes a technology, product, or movement to a community of enthusiasts—often referred to as a developer evangelist, technology evangelist, or brand evangelist. The role emphasizes outreach, education, and community-building rather than traditional sales.