Meeting People Where They Are…
Some 25 years ago I began my journey in ministry. Fresh out of college, I was given the responsibility of serving both youth and college students. While I was familiar with youth ministry, campus ministry was completely unfamiliar. But while I struggled with campus ministry, I did learn. And the main thing I learned was that there are no shortcuts with college students.
No amount of exciting worship, fancy posters, massive offerings of free food would bring students to us who weren’t seeking us out. The only thing that consistently worked was to build relationships with them. And the only way to do this was to care for them, no strings attached over a significant period of time. It was slow, it was tedious, and it was uncomfortable. But at the end of the day, the college students that came to know Jesus, did so because we brought Him to them and walked with them in life.
I find the current culture here in NW Denver to be the same as college campuses 25 years ago. People are not seeking out churches like they used to. In fact, I think it’s safe to say most people aren’t seeking out church at all. So, I find myself, right where I was 25 years ago, wondering about how we do this kind of ministry? And I have a working theory, which begins with His word.
We read in 1 John 4, “God is love.” And “We love because He first loved us.” Jesus says in John 13, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus then says in 1 John 3, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” And finally, Jesus gives us purpose as His church in Matthew 28 when He says, “Go make disciples of all nations.”
If we want people to know the love of God, we need to bring His love to people where they are. We need to bring Jesus to them, instead of waiting for them to come to us. And I don’t think it has to be difficult. We just have to care. And we have at least two great ministry examples of this at Peace.
The first is Grief Share, which is designed to meet people where they are. In this ministry, our members walk alongside people who are grieving. Our congregation provides a safe place to lament and expertise in the grieving process. By meeting people where they are, we have opportunity to share the truth that God cares for them and so do “WE.” Not all who come through Grief Share join our congregation, but they all experience God’s love in Jesus through our efforts. So… Mission accomplished, because God alone creates faith, we just share His love.
The second example of meeting people where they are is our Guatemala Mission Trip 2025. Where many in our congregation gave a week of vacation, donations, sweat, tears, sleep and yes even a little blood to travel to another continent, meet people where they are and build them a house for their family. What an incredible incarnation of God’s love in Jesus. But as incredible and life changing as this experience was, we don’t have to travel to another country to show God’s love. The opportunities exist right here in Jefferson County.
I believe the days of “If you build it, they will come” are over. The short cuts are gone. And I believe this gives us as His church, an incredible opportunity. Ultimately, sin still exists, and it still ravages people’s lives and this world. And if we just get used to seeing ourselves as Jesus hands, feet and words in people’s lives, there will be endless opportunities to show how much “We Care” because we are so graciously cared for. What do you think?
In His Grip,
Pastor Guy Roberts
