relationships Tag

The Towel and the Apron: Becoming Who We Follow

Scripture Reading:

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45

We talk a lot about spiritual growth. We pray for it, we study the Bible for it, we take courses on it, and we gather on Sundays, hoping to take another step closer to looking like Jesus. But if we are honest, it is easy to treat spiritual maturity like an intellectual pursuit—something that happens entirely inside our own heads or within the safe walls of our church community.

But if you look at the life of Jesus, his maturity didn’t look like a closed-door study group. It looked like a towel wrapped around his waist, washing dusty feet. It looked like breaking bread with people society had written off. It looked like intentional, boundary-crossing relationships with people who were culturally, socially, and religiously different from Him.

At Harvester Christian Church, our vision isn’t just to know about Jesus; it’s to encounter Him so we can become like Him to unleash His hope in our community. And one of the most direct, challenging, and beautiful pathways to that transformation runs straight through our changing neighborhoods.

Expanding Our Definition of “Neighbor”

When Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?” He responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan—a story specifically designed to shock his listeners by making a cultural and religious outsider the hero.

Today, God is bringing the nations to our doorstep. Kevin Hamilton and I met with All Nations this week, whose goal is to create opportunities for followers of Jesus to develop personal relationships with refugees and immigrants, showing the love of Christ. All Nations shared data showing that the largest share of immigrants and refugees in the 63303 zip code is from India, Mexico, and China. Our neighborhoods are increasingly filled with people who may not look like us, speak our native language, or share our cultural background. Some have traveled across the globe or fled difficult circumstances to find a home here.

When we step out to serve these neighbors, our spiritual formation hits hyperdrive:

• We trade comfort for compassion: It is easy to serve people who are just like us. But when we stretch across language barriers and cultural differences, we mimic the radical hospitality of God, who crossed the ultimate divide to reach us.

• We practice humility: Serving someone from another country, culture, or value system requires us to listen first, learn their stories, and lay down our assumptions.

• We see the image of God in diversity: Every single person walking the Earth today reflects a unique facet of God’s creativity. By engaging with different communities, our view of God grows larger and more vibrant.

Serving as a Bridge to the Gospel

We don’t serve simply to check a good deed off a list, nor do we treat people as transactional projects. We serve to build genuine relationships.

Jesus’ ministry often followed a beautiful pattern: He met practical, tangible needs, built authentic relationships, and always invited people into the Kingdom of God. He did not stop at the humanitarian level. He loved people so much that he always shared hope. Our service opens doors that words alone cannot. When we help a newcomer navigate a new city, assist with English practice, say hello in a park, or simply share a meal, we earn the right to be heard.

Relationship-based evangelism isn’t about having all the answers or slick arguments. It’s about letting the love of Christ flow through your actions so naturally that it sparks a conversation. When our neighbors see the church serving them without strings attached, it puzzles them in the best way possible, prompting them to ask why we care. And that is exactly when we get to share the hope of Jesus.

Taking It to the Streets

The HCC family knows that our mission field is from the QT on Jungermann to the Middle East. It’s the baseball fields in Cottleville to Ethiopia. It is my neighbor down the street in St. Peter to our neighbors in Athens. You just need to open your eyes to the mission field right outside your front door.

This week, ask God to break any fear of the unfamiliar in your heart. Look for opportunities at Harvester or in your daily routine to connect with someone from a different background. A smile, a shared meal, or a helping hand can be the first step in a relationship that changes a life for eternity.

Reflection & Discussion Questions

1. Reflect: Think about your current daily routine. Do you naturally interact with people who don’t look or speak like you? How can you intentionally expand your circles?

2. Identify: What are some common barriers (fear, language, awkwardness) that hold us back from building relationships with any of our neighbors, whether they are from other countries or not? How can Christ’s love help us overcome them?

3. Commit: What is one practical way you can build a relationship with a neighbor this week (e.g., inviting someone over for coffee, volunteering with a local refugee or international ministry, or simply introducing yourself to someone new)?

Prayer:

Jesus, your heart is for every tribe, tongue, and nation. Forgive us for the times we stay in our comfort zones and serve only those like us. Give us the courage to cross cultural boundaries, the humility to learn from others, and the love required to build lasting friendships. Use our service to build bridges of trust, so that we might have the privilege of sharing your Gospel with our neighbors. Amen.