I used to feel uncomfortable inviting friends and co-workers to come to church with me. I was afraid they’d feel offended or that I wasn’t respecting their boundaries and that a simple invitation may be stepping on their beliefs. I thought maybe people would judge me — that the moment I invited someone, people would learn that I am a follower of Jesus, and I’d immediately become anti-fill-in-the-blank in their minds.

These doubts and worries have driven some of my past invitations to fall flat. It was as if one foot wanted to extend an invitation but the other foot of mine was pointing the other direction, ready for the impending rejection.

I’ve realized that at the core of all of this was my insecurity around how other people may think of me, and it manifested into my invitation. I know that Jesus has transformed my life. I am excited when I think about what wisdom God has in store for me. I am excited to think about the vision He has for my family. I find confidence knowing that God is for me. I genuinely believed all of this, yet my invitation to others to experience what I experienced wasn’t flowing through me. 

“FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL, BECAUSE IT IS THE POWER OF GOD THAT BRINGS SALVATION TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES: FIRST TO THE JEW, THEN TO THE GENTILE.” – ROMANS 1:16

Inspiring. There are people in your life who would benefit greatly from a relationship with Jesus and from the hope of the Gospel. Their career pursuit would have more meaning. Perhaps their parenting or marriage would enter new heights. They could be freed from addictions. The pain or suffering they’re dealing with could be lifted through Jesus’ strength. They could find purpose and healing even now, in the midst of a tumultuous time in our world.

At Echo.Church, one of our values is Bold Faith which encourages our prayers and our willingness to step out. My invitations have a long way to go, and people still tell me no. However, I am no longer afraid of what people will think. I can now communicate with confidence, a sense of excitement, and authenticity that people can appreciate.