The Greek term for gospel, translated as “evangel,” was coined in wartime to describe the good news that runners—called evangels—brought home from the front lines to their neighbors who were undoubtedly desperate to hear it. Over time, the word took up meaning in religious circles, morphing from evangel to godspel and, finally, gospel.

If you’re anything like me, the term “gospel” is so familiar that it can lose its sense of urgency. And Jesus’ call to proclaim it can feel so distant that it seems meant for someone else. But when I stop to think about it, I realize that the Good News of Jesus Christ packs a wallop of hope for a world desperate to hear it. And Jesus’ call to share it is meant not only for the church but for each one of us, too.

The Good News is that God so loved the world that God took on human flesh and walked among us. The Good News is that Jesus is Lord, who gathers us in with the outstretched arms of forgiveness, showing us his kingdom way of life. The Good News is that his Spirit is always with us, equipping us to run home from the front lines to proclaim that love will win.

There are as many ways to share the Good News as there are people on the planet, and it doesn’t take religious vows or a Ph.D. in theology to get it right. When the words we utter show that Jesus is the Lord of our lives, we are spreading the gospel. When what we say breeds gladness instead of despair, peace instead of division, humility instead of hubris, we are spreading the gospel. Wherever we go, we are Christ’s evangels!