What a great question! It's one we all need to ask ourselves, and with frequency. In fact, there's not much point participating in mission trips or planning on a missionary career if we are not involved in ministering to the people we meet every day. Here are some thoughts:

1) Establish your identity (Who we are)

When God met with the people of Israel after delivering them from the slavery of Egypt (Ex 19:4-6), He shared with them His expectation that their identity be "bridge people" to the nations around them. Being such would involve both growing in their knowledge of Him (so that they could share this knowledge with others) as well as recognizing how much the neighboring nations needed to experience His grace.

Jesus was such a "bridge person" in all its fullness. It is instructive to note his reaching out to people (Luke 6:17-18) in terms of their felt need. His dependence on the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18-19) is both a model and encouragement for us, since we all feel inadequate when we share the Gospel.

The essence of Israel's failure to be "bridge people" was that they did not practice the truth that they knew. On the other hand, the essence of Jesus' success was that He spoke with authority, His life a constant illustration of His message.

2) Get Prepared (What we know)

To minister to others we need to understand what the Gospel is. When I was a college student, I carefully worked my way through Romans 1-3 until I had a grasp of what the Gospel message is. If you know people who are effective in leading people to Christ, talk with them about their experiences and ask if you could accompany them one day when they witness to others. People have developed helpful ways to share the message of salvation, such as the "Bridge" illustration or the "Four Spiritual Laws." All have their limitations but most of us need some structure when we are getting started.

InterVarsity has developed investigative evangelistic Bible studies, "Groups Investigating God," (known as "GIGs") whereby individuals can be helped through insightful questions on Biblical texts to see the Gospel and its personal relevance.

One of the most helpful ways to prepare to talk to people about Jesus is to think through one's own personal experience. I would encourage you to read Paul's presentation of his spiritual journey in Acts 26. You will notice that he divides his description into three parts: what his life was like before he met Jesus, how he met Jesus, and the difference Jesus made in his life. Follow this example, and edit your own story so that you could present it in 3 minutes. Almost nothing is as powerful as sharing with someone a frank presentation of what one has experienced. Whereas people today are less and less interested in arguing about "truth," they may respond with a longing to know what you have found in your enounter and walk with Jesus.

3) Reach out (Who we know)

Who are "the people in my everyday life?" I would encourage you to ask the Lord to open your eyes to those around you, especially those you meet with some frequency. Notice their needs. (Often these "needs" just irritate us - their ignoring us, sharp answers to us, bothering us in one way or another, boring us with recitals of their problems.) Begin to pray for them. Then I would encourage you to intercede for two or three people with regularity -- once a day or once a week. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to get to know them in more than a casual way, and then get ready for an answer! An unusual comment on their part, an unexpected encounter, an illness (theirs or yours!), etc.

The Lord may guide you to go beyond these "chance encounters" to take initiative. Note how Philip engaged the Ethiopian (Acts 9). He observed him, he asked him a question, he responded to the man's question. The Lord opened the door, but Philip had to take advantage of the opportunity.

On campus, Christian students study the Bible with their friends. People in an office do the same thing during the lunch break. Your church may have a home visitation program for those who visit the worship service.

I would encourage you to read the book of Acts. Notice how involved the first generation Church was in "missionary" activity both locally and beyond. Remember to seek out partnership with Christians who are either from different countries, races, or denominations than you, because as you learn more through them, and learn more about God through them, your opportunities for ministry, your effectiveness, and self-awareness, will all increase substantially.

I send this to you, Julia, with the prayer that the Lord may take your brief question and my more extensive answer and help you follow through on what He is stirring in your heart.

In His Fellowship,

Jack