We have a significant problem in the U.S. Those with faith in God live on different sides of the street than those without. Those who need Jesus don’t know that they need Him and they don’t interact intentionally with those who could introduce them to Him.

Globally, we know much better how to cross the cultural barriers to reach those who need to know the hope, peace and love of Jesus that can transform, but we don’t know how to cross the cultural barriers that exist in our nation between those who love Jesus and those who live without Him. We get equipped for the “mission field” forgetting that it begins at home.

You see, most in the Christian community sit behind the walls and programs of the church thinking that if those in culture have questions or if they are open to having conversations about faith, they will walk through our doors.

Make the First Move

On the other side of the street, culture looks at those of us who imply we have a foundation of meaningful faith and think “If they have the answers I need, if they know how I can find peace, hope, purpose and meaning, surely they will come and share it with me.”

But no one ever crosses the street because both groups are waiting for the other to make the first move. And no one does.

That has to change. Someone has to cross the street — and it should be those of us who believe Jesus is the Way, the truth and the life. That He is the answer to every meaningful question and He is what lost and hurting people are blindly looking for.

Ways We Can Cross the Street

If you want God to use you to impact those on the other side, here are some suggestions for making the first move.

• Pray for opportunities: “Lord, use me to share your hope and your life with those who don’t know you.” When you pray asking God for opportunities, He will bring them your way.

• Ask questions and listen with intention: Instead of always making small talk, ask open-ended questions to help you better understand what the person is feeling. “How are you doing?” “How is your family?” Many people will begin to open up and show you their concerns and challenges. That is the opportunity you need to introduce the God of Hope.

• Ask, “How Can I Pray for you?”: If you want to cross the street quickly and get into meaningful conversation, ask your neighbor, your co-worker, even your child, “How Can I pray for you?” And when they share an area of need or concern, shock them. Instead of promising to pray, just pray. “Let’s pray right now.” (One other nugget — follow up. Text them later and say, “Hey, still praying for you. Any updates?” Not only did you invite the miracle working God into the situation but you are showing support and proving yourself to be a confidante who truly cares.)

• Random Act of Kindness: Do something nice for those you want to have faith-based conversations with. Invite them to a BBQ, take them a meal, give them a house-warming gift, buy them cupcakes. Anything that says, “I am thinking of you.” That gets your foot in the door and then God will open the door for you to have a conversation.

• Volunteer where you can improve your skills: My organization shares Jesus with hundreds of people a day who are hurting and asking questions but wouldn’t walk into a church. The muscle behind what we do is hundreds of people just like you who love Jesus and want others to know Him. Whether it is an online opportunity with Groundwire (our organization), a local mission, or a neighborhood outreach, there are opportunities to take your desires (to impact others) and put them into action.

We have to cross the street. As we do, God will make up for what we lack. He will use us, meet needs and draw people to Himself.

Sean Dunn is founder and president of Groundwire, a global ministry with the mission to lead every youth and young adult into a personal relationship with Jesus by leveraging current media channels to connect with them wherever they are. The group led more than 114,000 to Christ in 2020 and is in position for 200,000 salvations this year. For more information, visit www.groundwire.net