Each of us can participate in some way in evangelism through hospitality—the use of the home as a tool of ministry. The genius of the home is that it is universal to each Christian. We all abide somewhere. We abide in a room, or a dormitory, or an apartment, or a bungalow.
In this inhospitable world a Christian home is a miracle to be shared. Perhaps a child needs shelter from her mother’s shrieks by resting on our stairs. Maybe someone will knock on our door with tears in her eyes looking for peace. There’s not one of us who can’t say, “Come in. Why don’t you come in?”
If we understand that we are stewards to a divine Master, we must consider why we are in this place at this time in this town. He is not haphazard in His planning. Someone in this block weeps behind closed doors. Someone is crying. Loneliness stalks the halls of this high rise. Bad news has been posted somewhere in this nearby community.
Many years ago, the Lord convicted me of my insensitivity toward the problems and pains of my neighbors. There have been hospitalizations and distress—a multitude of opportunities to extend love—but I was prevented by the lack of time and even financial resources.
Yet I know He orders my days. And, I am committing to Him the minutes thereof. I am asking that He will enable me to reach out to these friends in their need, to demonstrate the reality of my Christianity.
At night before I fall asleep I begin to pray for each house on the block, asking that the peace of God will reach out to each dwelling, praying that the inhabitants will begin to search for happiness, and hunger after righteousness. I commend to each the love of Christ and request that He will enable me to be an instrument of that love. If I fall asleep midway, I pick up the next night where I left off the evening before, so that the whole neighborhood will be covered by my prayers.
————————————————————————————–
For decades, Karen Mains and her husband, David, have served God through religious communications—radio, television, and print publication. The are the co-authors of the Kingdom Tales Trilogy: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. To find many valuable resources for pastors and churches at the Mainstay Ministries main website, please click here.
Karen has long had an interest in Christian hospitality and is the author of the best-selling book, Open Heart, Open Home.
An award-winning author of several other books, Karen continues to write content for her Christian blog, “Thoughts-by-Karen-Mains.” In so doing, she desires to touch the lives of Christian women and men and help them find ways to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, through silent retreats, spiritual teaching, women’s retreats, Christian vacation opportunities, and other ministry activities, Karen helps each Christian woman and man receive vital spiritual food.
Through her Hungry Souls ministry, Karen serves as a spiritual coach to many Christian women and men, and teaches a mentor-writing class. And, through the Global Bag Project, she is working to develop a network of African women who sew exquisite cloth reusable shopping bags. This micro-finance women opportunity helps provide a much-needed sustainable income for struggling African families. For more information on this critically important project, please click here.
In addition, pastors will find special resources to help them create effective, life-transforming Sunday sermons by visiting David Mains’ website by clicking here.
