👋 Ring the BELLS. 🛎

Her name is Laura*

As soon as I asked her if she had a faith I could see there were years of pain that had crushed her spirit and wounded her faith.

She thought she was just checking me into the hotel, but the reality is, God wanted to welcome her into His presence.

“I’m trying Andrew, but I haven’t been to church in a loooooong time. The last time I went to church I wept for 2 hours and then said, I’m never going back to church again.”

We talked for 20 minutes, she cried, I listened, I shared about the miracles I’d seen. We prayed together.

And then, out of nowhere she said,

“There’s a new church opening by my house. Maybe I will go there.”

I encouraged her that going to church will help, but it doesn’t mean you’re following God. You need that one on one relationship with Him. Church helps but it’s the personal relationship with God that’s the foundation.

As Laura wiped the tears away, I gave her our contact details so we could help her with her walk with Jesus.

You see Laura wasn’t ready to walk back into church when we first spoke.

The church had to come to her.

Many years ago churches rang a big bell and everyone assembled at the building.

Now, we ring the bell. We leave the building. We go to the people.

If we don’t, most likely they simply won’t come.

Churches may be empty, but the streets are full. Don’t go fishing in a puddle, go fishing in the ocean, it’s full of fish! The world is full of people that need you to go to them.

Here’s 5 things you can do to ring the BELLS.

Bless.

Everyone has a need and every need needs a prayer. Bless people in prayer and practically. They don’t care what you know until they know that you care.

Eat.

Where possible, eat with those you’re reaching for Jesus. Ask the neighbour over for a meal. Jesus often ate with those he sought to build relationship with.

Listen.

Listen to their story. Listen to their reality. Meet people where they are at and take them to where they could be.

Learn.

Learn from them and they will want to learn from you. Be humble and know they may have something to teach you too.

Salvation.

Offer salvation. It’s the greatest gift of all.

Andrew