I was greatly encouraged and wonderfully blessed by the open house this afternoon. I know we weren’t exactly overrun with visitors, but there was a lot to be encouraged about. First, we had more good, substantial conversations with our neighbors in two hours this afternoon than we’ve been able to have over the last two years. Second, some who came were Christians who attend other churches, and had no idea what was going on in our church. They were excited and promised to let their neighbors know about us. Third, we talked to four or five people who are ready to start coming to a church or who are looking for a church home. Fourth, every visitor was impressed by our building, by our people, and our ministry. We definitely presented ourselves to them as a serious, gospel church. And fifth, everyone mentioned the letter they had received, and I have to assume that others out there in the neighborhood read it, too. Just because they didn’t come today doesn’t mean they won’t visit us sometime.
I was encouraged by one other thing today, but it isn’t directly related to our outreach. It was that so many of our members participated in this event: praying, stuffing envelopes, bringing food, giving tours, and just being friendly and having good conversations with our neighbors. I thank God for all of you.
Keep praying. Pray for the Christians we met, that their ministry to their neighbors would be fruitful and that we can be partners with them in ministry. Pray for the seekers we met, that they would have a strong desire to come to our gathered worship. Pray for the people who read the letter but didn’t come, that the Spirit would draw them to Christ and to our community.