The Good Neighbor
OOI Staff
Even as we began our church-wide effort to reach the entire community by building relationships with our neighbors, I’d heard some of my Christian friends tell me, “But you don’t know my neighborhood,” and you’re right, I don’t. Until I began to reach out during this pandemic, I didn’t know my neighborhood either.
I didn’t know that Stan and Desi wanted Christian fellowship monthly and that the couple from India that lives across from them would join us.
I didn’t know that John and Leslie were looking for friends in the neighborhood, someone close by they could occasionally check in with.
I didn’t know that Jane was depressed, but she opened up after we reached out. Until last week, even she and her family didn’t know she had a Stage 4 brain tumor, now I’m praying that there will be some way to present the Good News of eternal life.
I DID know that Dwayne could be foul-mouthed and difficult, we have very little in common, and he’s not easy to be around, but he still enjoys our time together, probably a lot more than I do.
We hadn’t met Gale and Eric until we reached out. Now my wife, Jill, is riding her bike with Gale every week. Eric has Stage 4 cancer and Gale has opened up to Jill and shared about her spiritual journey, or rather the lack thereof.
"but I know that out there somewhere is bound to be someone who needs to know Jesus. Now all we have to do is find them and bring them the hope that He offers."
My son was on a bike ride in our lower neighborhood and got a flat. As he was walking his bike home he saw two elderly men ahead of him walking toward each other. He overheard one say to the other, “Hi, my name is Bill, don’t you live down the street?” The other fellow responded, “Yes, I’m Allen, I live right there.” It turns out they had both lived at the same location for over 40 years and even though they only lived three properties away they had never met each other.
I don’t know who your neighbors are, and I’m not sure you do either, but I know that out there somewhere is bound to be someone who needs to know Jesus. Now all we have to do is find them and bring them the hope that He offers.
It doesn’t have to be every neighbor, certainly not at first. Just find the ones you can easily reach out to and build relationships. Be extra friendly, pray for your neighbors, begin small ways to reach out, and then expand. The Holy Spirit will guide you, just be intentional. No matter what, remember, even though we are coming out of “Shelter in Place,” there is still no time like the present to be The Good Neighbor.
Although the names were changed, the stories above are true. As you reach out in your neighborhood, I’m sure you’ll have your own stories of what God is doing and we long to hear. Be on the lookout and if you can share with us or even shoot a short video testimony, that would be a great way to encourage others. Please send it to info@organicoutreach.org.