“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” Romans 12:13
We had just arrived in Canada in 2005, and for the first time I was visiting our church in Puslinch, ON. I stepped up to the podium to begin the Divine Service, and looked to the people attending church. They were all new to me.
I noticed a man sitting in the very last pew. He was dressed in suit and tie, and I assumed he was one of our members. There was apparently nothing really different about him in order to call my attention, yet for some reason, while preaching, my attention was constantly drawn to this man.
After the sermon, as I was standing at the door with the church elder greeting the congregation as they left the sanctuary, the man passed by us. I greeted him, and as he was leaving I asked the church elder who that man was. He replied saying he didn’t know, and that this was the first time he had seen him as well.
I finished greeting the brethren, and noticing that that man was walking towards the parking lot, I understood he was leaving. I went after him, greeted him again, and asked, "Are you leaving?"
"Yes, I am." he answered.
"Oh no, please, stay for lunch." I invited.
"No, not today," he said.
"But why? Do you have any commitments for the afternoon?" I insisted.
"No, but this is the first time I have come to this church, and I don’t want to give the impression that I have only come for food," he told me.
"Oh, what a coincidence!" I chuckled. "This is the first time I am coming to this church too! I am the new pastor and have just moved here from Texas. If you stay, you are going to make me feel more comfortable, because I won’t be the only newcomer here. So please, stay.’’
I was finally able to convince him, and eventually found out his name was Cornelio. The brethren were very hospitable towards him, and he felt very welcome.
A few days later I called him, offering a visit. He accepted. During my visit, I offered him Bible studies to which he replied, “You know, brother, what I really need right now, is to see religion in practice.”
“Keep coming to church then,” I told him “and if you decide you want Bible studies, just let me know.”
A month later, after visiting the other churches in our field, I came back to the Puslinch Church, and was pleased to see Brother Cornelio there. The brethren informed me that he had been coming regularly every Sabbath.
After Communion Service one Sabbath afternoon, Brother Cornelio came to me and said, ‘’Brother, next time we have Communion Service, I want to participate in it. I am now willing to receive Bible studies.’’
Upon finishing the study of The Principles of Faith, Brother Cornelio was ready for baptism. During his reception in the church, he related to us his experience.
He told us that the day he came to our church for the first time, he sat in the pew and raised a prayer to God asking, "Lord, if you want me to come to know these people more, to study with them, if this is Your Church, I ask You to please give me a sign. When the service finishes, I will leave the church, and if someone insists with me to stay for lunch I will know these are your people."
On the day of this brother’s reception, his daughter attended our church for the first time. The Holy Spirit impressed her, and she also received Bible studies, was baptized, and some time later, I had the privilege to perform her wedding in our church in Toronto.
Even today, God is willing to give us signs if we are willing to listen. Even today, God is capable of using us if we are willing to be used. Even today, people still come to our churches, and we have the opportunity to show them true Christianity and true hospitality. Be willing to let God use you today.