Together On Mission

Together on Mission

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

“Ack! I need two cans of black beans—anyone have black beans?!” My text message zinged off to Kendra, Samantha, and Alissa, my American friends, as I made the final preparations for a picnic in our backyard that would be attended by more than twenty international visitors. Aaron and I love to host, and we especially love to invite people originally from far-flung places into our backyard, into our home, and into our lives.

We’ve discovered that the simple act of sharing a traditional American meal often results in conversations about culture that leave both sides with a deeper understanding, with secret fears ebbing and being replaced by newly formed friendships. We’ve also learned the importance of cohosts—inviting other families who love Jesus to join us in cultural bridge building. When we allow them to help prepare food, set up tables, lead their own conversations, and share both the joy and the burden of hosting, then Aaron and I don’t find ourselves trapped in the kitchen or in front of the grill for the entire event.

Asking my friends to scour their pantry for a can of black beans is just one tiny example of how my faith friends come alongside Aaron and me on the missions God has given us, just as we come alongside them on the missions God has given them. Our husbands regularly serve as the grill masters for one another’s neighborhood gatherings, allowing the man of the house to spend his time with his neighbors instead of flipping burgers. We cohost baby showers together, one woman hosting and the other three or four handling the decor, the food, the devotional, and the games. We fill in the gaps for one another, becoming a team whose whole is greater than the sum of our parts. We combine our individual gifts and skills and talents in cooperation with one another, doing far more together for God’s glory than we can do on our own.

— Julie

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Be a friend’s cohost for her next event, offering to handle the prep and cleanup so your friend can mingle with her guests.