Episode 15: The Office of the Evangelist in a Digital Age (w/ York Moore)
York Moore never expected to be in campus ministry. In 1987, he entered college as a committed atheist, driven by existential questions: Can life have meaning without God? If there’s no soul, no eternity—what’s the point? His answer came not in a lecture hall, but during a moment of desperation. On Christmas Day in 1989, in the midst of an attempted suicide, York encountered Jesus in a miraculous way. He’s never been the same.
Since then, York has spent over three decades preaching the gospel to students, strategizing for national evangelism movements, innovating at the intersection of justice and proclamation, and relentlessly calling the church to action.
Today, he serves as the President and CEO of the Coalition for Christian Outreach and co-founder of the Every Campus Coalition. He’s also a revivalist, abolitionist, TikTok evangelist, and big-vision leader with an unshakable conviction: the gospel isn’t just good news—it’s the news.
"Evangelism isn’t a strategy. It’s a transformative dynamism—God’s solution to every human and cosmic need."
Evangelism + Justice: The Both/And Gospel
In 2000, York experienced what he calls a second conversion—not to Christ, but to the cause of justice. At Urbana, he first learned about human trafficking from Gary Haugen, and it changed everything.
"Everything from this moment forward is going to change."
And it did. York spent the next 15 years launching some of the most influential anti-trafficking campaigns on college campuses and in major cities—mobilizing churches, businesses, lawyers, medical practitioners, and students across every industry to fight slavery and proclaim Jesus.
He calls this approach a transformative dynamism: the integration of gospel proclamation with visible acts of power, conviction, and justice. It’s not just about doing both—it’s about how they multiply each other.
"True gospel witness always includes words. But it never stops there. It comes in power, in the Spirit, and with lives of deep conviction."
What is an Evangelist, Really?
York isn’t just a gifted speaker or passionate gospel-sharer. He walks in the office of an evangelist—one of the fivefold gifts listed in Ephesians 4, given to the Church to equip and mature the body.
"An evangelist isn’t just someone who proclaims. She equips the church to carry the gospel."
He shares how early in his career, two moments confirmed that call: one at a Willow Creek Evangelism Conference, where Bill Hybels identified those uniquely wired for evangelism, and another in Atlanta where a Church of God in Christ elder prayed over him. From that moment on, the faucet of evangelistic fruit turned from a trickle to a flood.
Still, he’s quick to remind others: Everyone is called to do the work of evangelism.
"Desire is the starting place. If you want to be used, ask. Be curious. Be willing. God loves to give good gifts to his kids."
Reaching Gen Z: The Time is Now
York has tracked Gen Z data for years and sees this generation not as a lost cause—but as the greatest opportunity of our lifetime.
Largest, most unchurched generation in American history
84% are open to spiritual conversations
They don’t want nuance—they want conviction
"They don’t need another program. They need people of bold conviction, led by the Spirit, speaking the truth of Jesus with love and clarity."
He sees revival tremors all across the country: 200 students coming to Christ here, 1,000 baptized there. And the church? It must be ready—not just to receive them, but to go to them.
His advice: get curious. Get innovative. And for heaven’s sake, stop thinking digital and physical are separate.
"It’s all real life. The Church must become figital—both physical and digital—if we want to reach the next generation."
TikTok, AI, and the Future of Evangelism
During the pandemic, York exploded onto TikTok. He gained over 700,000 followers and reached millions through short-form gospel messages, calls to repentance, and powerful prayer.
"People were laying hands on their phones and experiencing the presence of God. Why wouldn’t he move in that space?"
He doesn’t romanticize tech—but he does see the opportunity.
AI-led discipleship cohorts
TikTok as a mission field
Zoom-based pre-college Bible studies
And yes, AI personas based on his own preaching and writing that can continue evangelizing around the clock.
"If Billy Graham had radio and TV, we have something 10x more powerful. Why wouldn’t we use it?"
The Gospel, Yesterday, Today, and Forever
At the heart of it all, York still gets on his knees every morning. Not to make content. Not to run a campaign. But to sit with Jesus, the one who still surprises him with grace.
"I should be better by now. But he still meets me. Loves me. Uses me."
His favorite verse? Revelation 11:15:
“The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
That’s the endgame. That’s where all this is going. And until then, York will keep proclaiming Jesus with joy, boldness, and imagination.
What He’d Tell You
If you’re a student, a pastor, a new staff worker, or someone wondering if you’re called to evangelism—York would leave you with this:
Desire it. Ask for it. Develop it.
Your gift needs hours. Work at it like a craft.
Stay rooted in the Word. But take risks.
Be curious, be available, and be willing to throw your net on the other side.
"The gospel is for everything. And it’s for today. Let’s live like we believe that."
Resources & Links
Books by York Moore: Making All Things New, Growing Your Faith by Giving It Away, and more
Website: TellTheStory.net
TikTok Evangelism: @yorkmoore
EveryCampus Coalition: everycampus.com
Favorite Recent Read: All In Good Fun by Jacqueline Parrish
Final Word:
“The good news is still good news. Not just for the lost, but for every moment, every day, for the rest of our lives.”
