Impacting Communities: A Story of the Church Outside the Church Building

The school year is rapidly coming to an end with many high school graduations just a few weeks away. As summer approaches, a million things are happening all at once. And this is no different for churches.

This past Wednesday night, I decided to do something special with our youth ministry.

Instead of our normal Youth Group with games, Bible Study, and small groups, we went to the local Mexican restaurant across the street. As a group.

So there we were, 19 of us, taking up the entire back area of the local establishment. And it was everything you would think it was. Loud. Spread out. People bouncing back and forth between tables. Having to find extra chairs so people could sit where they wanted.

And people looking at this group of middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults.

The students did behave themselves, but we did have three unique moments with the people around us.

The first happened when I was looking for an additional chair for one of the students. At a booth close by was one of the middle school science teachers (who I just happened to substitute teach for the other day), his daughter, and his parents. We recognized one another and chatted about his classes, he introduced me to his parents, and then he asked what was going on.

I told him that I was the youth pastor at the church across the street and this was a special outing with our students. He thought it was great, and then his mom smiled and said, “I think that is great. I led youth ministry for 38 years!”

The second happened with the table right next to us. Two men and a lady became very interested in what was happening next to them.

Ultimately, they asked one of our high school girls what was going on. I smiled at her and nodded for her to tell them. And there she was, a high school girl telling three adults about her church and her youth ministry.

The third moment happened when one of our middle schoolers saw a friend walking in, yelled out her name, and ran to see her at the entrance. As our student was telling her friend what was happening, she casually mentioned that I was there and the friend yelled out, “I love Mr. Hutchinson!”

The two then walked over to where we were sitting. I introduced her to everyone and the next thing I knew one of our volunteers was inviting the girl to Youth Group.

When I left the restaurant, I stopped by the girl’s table and met her parents. Establishing I knew their daughter from the Middle School, they said they “heard all about me.” Then the mom said, “So I think she is interested in coming to church sometime.” It allowed me to share about our church and invite them.

All of that from an hour and some change at a local restaurant instead of being at the church building!

It reminds me of some of Jesus’ final words to His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus’ message is simple, and couldn’t be more clear. Go and make disciples. Some pastors and scholars nuance this out describing how the Greek alludes to “as you are going” instead of “get up and go.”

I like this nuance because it reminds us of how important it is to share the Gospel, live it out, and carry it with you everywhere you go. As you are going. Doing what you already are doing. It does not have to be a unique, one-time thing. It is an everyday thing.

Our dinner indicates how people recognize the body of Christ and are drawn to it when they see it.

My encouragement for you is to do the same. Be intentional. Be united. Be together. Go out.

You do need to carry your faith outside the church walls now and then (or maybe all the time, but you get the picture).

Anyway, I was just thinking…