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Everyday Evangelism: The Power of Vanilla

From a sermon by Lucas Johnson

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Most people want to answer with fun, exciting, or unique flavors. Hardly anyone ever answers “vanilla” for fear of being labeled boring or basic.

The fact is most of us are pretty “vanilla.” And that’s not how we want to be described, right? We’d rather be strawberry swirl or Rocky Road. When we think of interesting people, we picture someone like Louis L’Amour, who traveled across the West, worked in mines, sailed the seas, and served in World War II—all before he was 30. Or Carroll Shelby, who went from bankrupt chicken farmer to building legendary race cars and winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Sometimes in the church, we look at preachers, missionaries, or traveling evangelists and think, “I don’t have that education. I don’t have those skills. Why would God use just a vanilla, ordinary person like me?”

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Priscilla: The Mother of Teachers

Exploring the powerful influence of an extraordinary woman in the early church

Throughout the Book of Acts, we encounter remarkable individuals who shaped the early church through their dedication and service. Among these influential figures stands Priscilla, sometimes called Prisca—a woman whose impact resonates through generations of Christian teaching.

Who Was Priscilla?

Priscilla was Roman by birth and heritage—a Gentile, not Jewish. Historical evidence suggests she may have converted to Judaism later in life. She was highly educated, well-respected, and possibly of noble birth, potentially related to a Roman senator. Beyond her status, she became a dedicated leader in the early church, serving alongside her husband Aquila and the apostle Paul.

By trade, Priscilla was a tentmaker who worked with leather and fabric. This wasn’t just a job—it was how she and Aquila funded their ministry and supported the growing church movement. She exemplified hard work, hospitality, and commitment to spreading the gospel.

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Stephen: The Winsome Radical

Lessons from the First Christian Martyr

For the next few weeks we will be examining influential characters throughout the Book of Acts – people who impacted those around them, shaped the early church, and influenced the Apostle Paul. In Acts 17, city officials make a remarkable accusation against these early Christians: “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” Today, we focus on Stephen, whom one commentator aptly called “The Winsome Radical.”

Who Was Stephen?

Stephen holds the distinction of being the first Christian martyr – the first to be executed for his faith in Christ. The term “martyr” comes from the Greek word for “witness,” and Stephen truly witnessed to Christ’s power through his life and death.

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