Almost every Sunday, I encourage New Lifers to find someone they’ve never met and introduce themselves.
Outside of the sacraments and the Scriptures, this may be the most important thing we do as a church family. And recently, a simple greeting may have saved a man’s life.
A Greeting That Changed Everything
A few Sundays ago, a New Lifer turned around, met a man for the first time, and unknowingly stepped into a life-or-death moment.
The man had planned to take his own life later that day by driving off a cliff. But first, he decided to attend New Life one last time—to give God one more chance.
At the end of the gathering, the New Lifer noticed his distress, prayed with him, and introduced him to one of our pastors. For 90 minutes, that pastor sat with him, listened, and spoke life into him.
By the end, the man’s countenance had completely changed. He chose life, committed to continue therapy, and has followed through.
And it all started because someone simply said, hello.
Ministry Can Be Simple
Sometimes ministry isn’t complicated. It begins with noticing people, listening to them, and caring about their stories.
Paul often encouraged the early church to “greet one another with a holy kiss.” While the kiss may not fit our culture, the heart behind it—warm, intentional greeting—still matters deeply.
Why Greetings Matter in Church
Church is more than sitting, listening, and leaving. It’s an assembly of believers—a family. And family gatherings should include genuine, heartfelt greetings.
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Not every handshake or introduction will save a life.
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But every friendship begins with a first hello.
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Every new believer needs to know there’s a place for them in God’s family.
For some, greeting others feels scary. For others, it comes naturally. But no matter how we feel, the act of turning to someone new and welcoming them is one of the most powerful ministries of the local church.
It proves to a hurting and distraught world that there is room for them in God’s healing home.
