Some of my most frustrating experiences in life have come when I should have been better prepared--and was not. Like the time I rushed in from campus to get ready for an important date only to find no clean clothes -- because I hadn't done laundry in four weeks.

Everything worthwhile in life takes preparation. Whether it's driving, athletics, public speaking, writing or witnessing. And the more preparation, the greater the return. The better prepared we are, the more we can take advantage of an open door of opportunity at a moment's notice.

Recently during the Southern Baptist Convention in Atlanta, a local congregation sponsored an evangelistic block party. The pastor's 13-year-old son, Chris, played basketball with some students. Suddenly Chris grabbed his chest and collapsed. It later would be revealed a pinched artery caused two massive heart attacks, and Chris died. Yet, even in their grief, his parents shared their faith in Jesus and saw 52 people accept Christ as Savior. What if they had not been prepared?

During the Convention, I also had the privilege of leading someone to Christ during lunch with friends. Allen was our waiter. When it came time for the blessing, I asked Allen if there was anything we could pray for concerning him. With a stunned look he told us that his mom was ill, and he would really appreciate prayer for her. We asked him to join us, and we prayed for Allen, his mother and the meal. He was visibly stunned.

Before lunch was over, my friend, Randy, and I asked Allen more about his life. We introduced him to Jesus, were present while he asked Christ into his heart and provided information to connect him with a church. What if we had not been prepared?

All it takes for any of us is just a little bit of effort. What can you do to be prepared? Here are a few ideas:

• Be sure you know how to effectively tell your own conversion story with emphasis on the change Christ has made.

• Take a course in personal evangelism. If you have already taken one, seriously consider a refresher course.

• Try to think of five people you would like to see accept Christ and pray by name for their conversion.

A few good books: Lifestyle Evangelism by Joel Aldrich, Out of Their Faces and Into Their Shoes by John Kramp and Share Jesus Without Fear by Bill Fay.

Like anything else in life that we learn to do effectively, sharing Christ takes focused and concentrated effort. That effort must be driven by an internal desire to be effective at communicating the love and grace of Christ to others. If we make the investment, God blesses with the return in a way that we never dreamed possible.

Bob Reccord is president and CEO, North American Mission Board, SBC