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“Hospitality makes space for the presence of God.”
When Christians reach out to Muslim neighbors, we often let fear of mistakes or unintentional offense keep us from welcoming them, showing hospitality, or beginning a conversation. In relational evangelism, it’s okay to get it wrong; your neighbor likely expects it. There will be awkward pauses and moments when the words don’t quite come out right. It isn’t perfect conversations or flawless invitations that softens hearts—it is simple, ordinary hospitality. As Christians, our role is faithfulness; the Holy Spirit transforms hearts.
During a World Relief Western NY Relational Evangelism Training at The Barn at Grace Church of the Nazarene, Matt and Stephanie Slisher shared stories of God moving in daily, mundane interactions over sixteen years as missionaries to an unreached Muslim people group. Sometimes remarkable transformation, fruit, and harvest happened over night. More often—just as we see throughout Scripture—they sowed, weeded, and watered for years before seeing fruit. And though we may not see the impact of those seeds this side of heaven, our actions and prayers are never wasted.
Even when we don’t share language, culture, or background, our shared humanity is more powerful than our differences. The easiest place to see this is in children: what could be an awkward moment between adults transforms into laughter and joy as parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors watch kids play together. Barriers dissolve instantly.
Relational Evangelism
Relational evangelism starts right there—with shared humanity. It grows in moments of hospitality, when we create “a space where God’s presence can come… and relationships can happen.” It deepens as we pray over the food we’re preparing, set a simple table, and invite God into the ordinary. “Hospitality makes space for the presence of God.” It leads to moments of transformation. When we show hospitality to our Muslim neighbors, it disrupts world views. “She never imagined that this is what Christians were like,” Stephanie shared of a Muslim friend introduced to Christian hospitality.
Relational evangelism is an invitation into proximity and mutual transformation. Jesus demonstrated it with the Samaritan woman at the well, with Zacchaeus in Luke 19, and with the tax collectors and sinners who gathered around Him in Luke 15. Through relational evangelism, we follow Jesus’ call to create community and belonging built on authenticity, honesty, and genuine connection (Matthew 4:19).
Sometimes relational evangelism means giving—and sometimes it means receiving. It is graciously accepting a gift from someone living in material poverty so they can retain dignity. It’s shoveling coal for 12 hours alongside neighbors so everyone has heat for the winter. Relational evangelism is realizing, “but for the grace of God, that could be me” and loving your neighbors as Christ loves you.
Biblical Tips for Engagement
As we engage as Christians in relational evangelism, we should do so:
- Prayerful – Jesus changes the equation. Prayer can open the door to hard conversations with friends and neighbors or lead to life-changing encounters with complete strangers.
- Intentional – As 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us: be prepared. We don’t have all the answers, but we can listen for the question beneath the question and gently point people—along with ourselves—back to Jesus.
- Generous – We don’t know who is ready to receive and who isn’t.
- Expectant – In Mark 4:26–29, Jesus teaches that no seed sown goes to waste.
- Respectful – with gentleness, open posture, and a commitment to relationship over transaction.
None of us chose the circumstances of our birth; with a few different variables, we could have been born into war, displacement, poverty, or a place where the gospel had never been preached. Whether serving on a mission field among an unreached Muslim people group, walking with a refugee or immigrant family new to the U.S., or caring for a neighbor who’s been wounded by the church, we are called to relational evangelism. We do so by faithfully holding tightly to God’s Word, living and loving with truth, grace, and hospitality—and watching God do transformational things in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
Join the movement of relational evangelism and hospitality as a volunteer today!