Jesus told us to love God and our neighbors. In the classic parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10), the entire story is told based on the question, “Who is my neighbor?”

Who is our neighbor that we are to love? Those who look and sound just like us? The kingdom will not advance unless we go to those who hail from different places. Without bridging these divides we will merely build up our local Christian bubbles.

Hospitality is love of the stranger and those who are different than us. Perhaps instead of us going to the mission field, today the mission field is coming to us!

In the current climate, this has become a very political discussion.

Let’s lay our politics aside and have a gospel discussion about loving our neighbor, showing care for the stranger, and sharing the gospel with whoever God brings our way.

This week, let’s take a step in the direction of inclusion rather than exclusion.

• Let’s do something kind for a stranger
• Greet someone who looks or sounds different than us in a warm manner.
• Be aware of our stereotypes, our words, and our thoughts to the “foreigner” in our midst
• And most of all – let’s extend the kingdom of God.

Invite Safeeya who grew up in the religion and the culture to come and train your congregation.