Influence with Outsiders Living a Life of Invitation and Impact Jesus’ command to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39) extends beyond the walls of the church. As His followers, we carry hope into a hurting world through genuine relationships with people who are exploring faith or far from God. The Biblical Foundation Jesus himself modeled this outward focus: “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) “And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15) “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16) The Core Understanding Evangelism isn’t about pressure. It’s about presence. Our approach is simple: Invest and Invite. Invest in relationships with love and sincerity, and invite others into meaningful spiritual environments when the time is right. Jesus ate with those considered far from God (Luke 5:29-32), showing that it must begin with relationships. This isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being authentic and available. Mile Markers for Growing Influence Early Influence: You can identify specific people in your life who are far from God. You pray for them regularly and look for natural opportunities to serve and show care. Developing Influence:
