Passing of Friend Milt Hughes

Milt Hughes passed away on November 5, 2024. Milt made a significant impact on the lives of college students and collegiate ministers not only in the United States but around the world.

After effective service as a campus Baptist Student Director in California, he accepted a position as evangelism consultant for National Student Ministries at the Baptist Sunday School Board. For many of us, he refined the concept of “evangelism.”

In his Share Seminar material, Milt helped us to understand that effective evangelism is not a “one off” of sharing one’s testimony or the Four Spiritual Laws. His approach began with the formation of the disciple as one whose walk with Christ empowered that witness.

I was preparing to teach Milt’s material on a campus in Arkansas, when I realized the full implications of John 7:38: “The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (NASB) Sharing one’s experience of Christ comes from one’s daily walk with Christ. A person must know and walk with Christ in order to effectively tell others. Not an easy task!

The Share Seminar embodied what we called “relational evangelism.” The believer who wanted to share his or her witness sought to develop a relationship with someone out of love and concern, ready to share a verbal witness when the Spirit led. Once a person made a decision, the witness continued in that relationship, helping the person in turn to grow as a disciple. This process was based on 2 Timothy 2:2: “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.”

Milt lived out this approach. When he visited one of the campuses where I served, he made it a practice to meet with students as individuals and groups, listening and sharing. He also made it a point to sit and drink coffee with me after his large group presentations, sharing his presence with me. I wish there had been more of those opportunities.

Milt and his wife, Ruth, “retired” to California where they continued to minister with International students. While he was hospitalized, he was concerned about who would teach the Bible study he usually did with students on Thursday nights in their home. Ruth assured him that there were others who would take up the responsibility. And that is what Milt would want. He helped to develop “faithful people who will be able to teach others also.”

Well done, good and faithful servant.

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