Bridging the Gap: Reaching The Lost with Simple Gatherings
"P" is for Partnering
We want to partner with those eager to minister to teens and young adults, creating a "bridge" to church ministry. This Spirit-filled idea came from the warm encounters Rich and I had during our downtown Saturday night outreach a few weeks ago. We shared the Gospel with two great young adults—a boy and a girl—who were open but not yet ready to accept it. (See Cassandra and Theron’s testimonials for more!)
Imagine inviting these young adults to a fun, safe space for fellowship—a place to ask questions, hear the Word, eat food, have fun, and maybe even be mentored or discipled (like in The Forge). It’s said the average Christian hears the Gospel seven times before being saved. I don’t usually trust statistics in God’s mission—His miracles go beyond numbers—but this could be a "plant a seed, water, and God gives the increase" moment.
Many of you are the tip of the spear, boldly sharing the Gospel in public with people who may have never heard of Jesus or the Bible. Don’t listen to Satan—people are hungry for truth, and many, especially kids, are ready to listen. Teens are often the easiest to talk to; they’re just hanging out, willing to engage. But leaving them with only a tract after a good conversation feels lacking. We trust the Holy Spirit to use the seeds we plant, but we believe we can do more.
We’re looking for partners who may not feel comfortable approaching strangers but would happily host regular events—think board games, snacks, and community. These gatherings could draw teens who are used to hanging out. Some ministries might already be doing this. The ministry and gathering can be simple, not complicated, offering an easy way to connect with teens and young adults.
The Ask:
- Share your passion for the Gospel with church friends and spread this vision. Gently encourage those who feel led to act but aren’t sure how, focusing on their desire to share the Gospel.
- Ask your church leadership if they have a local missions team and if they’d support (or already have) such a ministry. Mention we have people ready to "advertise" by engaging teens one-on-one and handing out flyers for these events.
- Reach out to ministries you know, share our mission, and explore how we can work together for the Great Commission.
- Share your thoughts, ideas, reflections, testimonies, and suggestions on who might be interested. And above all, pray—pray, pray, pray!
Pagan Roots in Everyday Life: Finding Balance in Our Faith
At HopeDealers.Life, we’re all about sharing the hope of Jesus in ways that connect with people where they are. But sometimes, we encounter a disconnect that’s worth exploring together. Have you ever heard someone point out that a holiday tradition—like the Easter Bunny—has pagan roots and shouldn’t be part of a Godly celebration? It’s a valid concern, and I admire the heart behind it: a desire to honor the One True Living God with purity and focus. But what if I told you that pagan influences are all around us, woven into the fabric of our daily lives, often without us even noticing?
Think about the days of the week we use without a second thought. Thursday is named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Wednesday comes from Odin, another Norse god, associated with wisdom and magic. Saturday honors Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture. Even when we talk about the planets—like saying, “Mars is visible tonight”—we’re casually using the name of a Roman god of war. It doesn’t stop there. Many products we use every day carry pagan names: Nike shoes are named after the Greek goddess of victory, Thule racks draw from a mythical island in Norse lore, and even Midas auto shops reference a legendary king from Greek mythology known for his golden touch.
These examples aren’t meant to dismiss the concern about pagan influences in our celebrations. Instead, they highlight a truth: pagan origins are so deeply embedded in our language, culture, and society that avoiding them entirely would be nearly impossible. Imagine trying to use a different calendar or stepping away from modern life altogether—it’s just not practical. So, how do we navigate this as believers who want to keep our focus on Christ?
I believe the answer lies in balance and joy. Take the Easter Bunny, for example. Yes, its origins may tie back to pagan traditions, but for many families, it’s simply a fun way to bring smiles to kids during a season when we celebrate the greatest hope of all: Christ’s resurrection, His victory over sin and death. As Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Christ died to save sinners—and that includes all of us. His grace covers us, and I think that grace gives us room to celebrate with a little lightness, even if it involves a bunny or two.
This doesn’t mean we ignore the call to worship with care. It’s important to keep our hearts and minds focused on Jesus, ensuring that our traditions—holiday or otherwise—point back to Him. But we can do this with joy, not fear. When we see a tradition like the Easter Bunny, we can choose to see it as an opportunity to share the Gospel in a way that’s approachable and loving, rather than a threat to our faith. After all, God can use even the simplest moments to plant seeds of hope.
If the idea of pagan roots still feels uncomfortable, that’s okay—God honors a heart that seeks to worship Him purely. But remember that Christ’s power is greater than any history or tradition. Colossians 2:15 tells us that Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross. No pagan origin can diminish the truth of His resurrection or the hope we have in Him.
At HopeDealers.Life, we’re passionate about reaching the lost —whether that’s an outreach at Territory Days or a fun event for teens and young adults. We want to meet people where they are, sharing the truth of Jesus in ways that feel warm and inviting. So, the next time you hear someone point out the pagan roots of a holiday tradition, let’s pause and reflect. Yes, let’s keep our worship pure, but let’s also embrace the joy of sharing Christ’s love in a world that’s messy, complicated, and full of history. What do you think—how do you find balance in your celebrations?