Get Real is a practical, refreshing guide to evangelism that helps Christians share their faith naturally through everyday relationships, honest listening, and genuine love.
John Leonard—pastor, seminary professor, and former missionary—moves evangelism away from awkward scripts and pressure-filled encounters and back toward the way of Jesus. Instead of relying on formulas, Get Real helps readers learn to love well, listen carefully, pray faithfully, and respond to the opportunities God places in front of them each day.
Drawing from Jesus’s own example and years of ministry experience, Leonard shows that evangelism can become a natural part of ordinary life rather than a forced religious task. Endorsed by trusted ministry leaders and used to train missionaries, this book offers encouragement and practical direction for Christians who want to share the gospel with confidence, humility, and care.
About the Author :
John S. Leonard, PhD, a former professor at Westminster Seminary, is the founding pastor of Creshiem Valley Church (PCA). He also served as a missionary with Arab World Ministries in France from 1988 to 1998. He is the author of Get Real: Sharing Your Everyday Faith, Every Day. John and his wife Christy have three children.
Review :
"If evangelism seems difficult, or if you have ever said, 'I don't have the gift of evangelism,' you will wish you had read this book a long time ago. The Get Real paradigm is anchored in the Scriptures, and especially in the Gospel accounts of Jesus's own process of evangelism. Get Real explains in easy-to-understand-and-apply ways that evangelism can be a natural part of a Christian's daily routine. Get Real is the material we use to train our missionaries at Mission to the World, and it is appreciated by the missionaries because it works."
Paul Kooistra, Coordinator, Mission to the World
"If you have one book on evangelism in your library, it should be this one. It's not what you expect. It's about life, relationships, and godly inefficiency—and it's about a God who loves us so much that it shows. This is 'real deal' evangelism that breaks the rules and opens a floodgate of love and mercy to a desperate and needy world. Reading Dr. Leonard's book is like a drink of cold, clear water refreshing a thirsty soul . . . ours and theirs."
Steve Brown, Key Life radio program Bible teacher; author of Three Free Sins
"John is a gifted evangelist, which could be intimidating as we watch him in action, but somehow he immediately inspired me. As I was reading I got excited about all kinds of conversations up ahead. Being real, listening, and always looking for opportunities for a party—I can do that."
Edward T. Welch, PhD, faculty member at CCEF; psychologist; author of Shame Interrupted
"John Leonard's Get Real: Sharing Your Everyday Faith Every Day is a delightful read from a man who obviously delights in the gospel, loves people from all backgrounds, and rejoices in creatively and compassionately sharing the good news of grace in Christ Jesus as 'normally' as sharing a cup of coffee with a friend. Better yet, he teaches us how to do the same."
Bryan Chapell, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Illinois; author of Christ-Centered Preaching
"Do you know why 'party evangelism' is more biblical than 'friendship evangelism'? Do you know why (and how) to 'evangelize Christians and disciple non-Christians'? Would you like a book about evangelism that is both solidly scriptural and thoroughly practical—and absolutely enjoyable to read? Then Get Real by John Leonard is the book for you. No question, this is one of the best books ever on evangelism."
Samuel Logan, PhD, author, theologian, and International Director of the World Reformed Fellowship
"It's always puzzled me how Christians who believe totally in the true humanity of Jesus should use such dehumanized methods to introduce him to others. Thankfully, Leonard has written this excellent book that takes the real Jesus as guide and example to liberate us from all those techniques, and to excite and motivate us to be truly 'personal' in our evangelism. Every evangelist—every Christian—needs to read it."
John D. Nicholls, DMin, Former Chief Executive, London City Mission, UK
"This is simply the best book on personal outreach I have ever seen. John Leonard has written for the evangelistically ungifted. Especially beginning in chapter 4, I sensed, 'This material is going to change me.' And it has."
Steven Estes, Pastor; coauthor of When God Weeps and author of A Better December: Proverbs to Brighten Christmas
"This is a disturbing book . . . in all the right ways. John Leonard brings his considerable wealth of personal experience, cultural awareness, and biblical savvy to this eminently practical guide. Evangelism in Leonard's approach is less daunting, less frightening, and less awkward. What is disturbing is that we can no longer hide behind either bombastic boilerplates or timid excuses. What is comforting is that it allows Christ to do all the heavy lifting. If you are looking for the best resource for training in outreach, both personal and corporate, look no further."
William Edgar, DrTheol, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary; author of Truth in All Its Glory
"Like most in the church, I believe in evangelism but am honestly reserved about (afraid of?) practicing it with strangers. (Does teaching and caring for a Sunday school class weekly count as evangelism? I sure hope so!) John Leonard passionately believes in, practices, and teaches many creative ways of doing evangelism. If the world is as desperately in need as our Scripture instructs us it is, then John Leonard's challenging book can teach us bravery. Taste and see!"
Fredrick Dale Bruner, Professor Emeritus, Whitworth University; author of commentaries on Matthew, John, and the Holy Spirit in Acts
"Grace-driven evangelism as a lifestyle versus guilt-driven evangelism as a structured event. John Leonard helps us understand how to be 'real' and 'natural' and 'normal' in sharing the grace and gospel of Christ with others. Jesus loved people and openly shared his life with them as he met them in everyday life. We should do the same, and this book will help you do so more naturally and effectively."
Robert C. (Ric) Cannada Jr., Chancellor Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary
"When is the last time you talked to someone about Jesus? What comes to mind as you think about that question? Guilt? Frustration? Read John Leonard's Get Real to encourage you to think differently about the people and opportunities Jesus brings into your life. Hear great stories from John's experience reaching out to Muslims in France and as a church planter in Philadelphia. Read this book if you want to fall in love with the grace and power of the gospel all over again."
Tim Witmer, Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia; author of The Shepherd Leader
