When I first heard about the idea of going out for pub ministry, I wasn’t interested. I did, however, suggest ideas of other people who might want to participate in the ministry. I didn’t think I would enjoy it because my mindset was, “Oh yeah, lets just go get a drink and call it ministry”.
So, when the following day my fellow squad mate approached me asking to join her and a couple others to go out to the pubs with the purpose of meeting people and telling them about Christ, I was nervous and answered with the normal Christian response of, “Let me pray about it”. I actually did want to stay true to my word and really pray about it. After praying, I felt like this could be something I could succeed in and wanted to let Jesus move me out of my comfort zone.
Typically I’m not the girl who goes to bars. I’m the girl who goes out to dinner with friends to sip on my craft beer (the one with the crazy long description of how the beer will taste and what food I should eat with it). I’m also the daughter of an alcoholic and thought, “If only someone would talk to my mom when she’s out grabbing a drink to cut the pain before she heads home.” I wanted to be that person instead of the social drinker I am at home. I wanted Christ to move through me.
So I said yes, to the offer and got excited to go out. The first night was amazing! I could not have planned a better night. We went to four different pubs trying to find the perfect spot that we felt was the “right” place, but realistically we just wanted a place with more then two people in the pub. We headed out as a group of four ladies and one dude. We entered the first place timid and testing out these new waters in “pub ministry”. That night I met the cutest little old man who has been a bachelor all his life. He was in need of small talk and a little encouragement. Yeah, I got to share about my faith and was shot down when I asked to pray for him with a, “No, why would you pray for me?” I did, however, get to say goodbye to him by helping him with his jacket in the rain. My heart broke as he walked away with his walker on the way to his retirement home. I still pray for him often even when I can’t remember his name, but I remember the eyes that shouted, “I’m lonely.”
The following times were all unique. One night I went out with just one other Racer and met up with two best friends celebrating a birthday. I lent an ear while one complained about how, “The Christian life isn’t for me.” We danced and had a drink, and what I remember clearly is them saying no other Christian they knew would ever come out to celebrate with them in a pub. That night we helped create in their minds a new “mold” for Christians.
My favorite times weren’t planned; it was going out with friends and getting to bring up my faith with the fellow pub visitor who just needed to hear about Christ and be pointed in the right direction. Like meeting the 40 year old man in the pub who just needed to talk. As I talked and mentioned the church I was partnered with, he started to ask deep questions over the blaring music and dim lights of the pub. He said he would be at church the following week. I didn’t get to see him again, but I do hope and pray that I just missed him through the large church crowd. The seed has been sown. That was my part.
During one of the conversations, I realized that I had stepped into a new ministry that I can take home. I don’t need a crazy hook or a badge saying “Talk to me about Christ.” I definitely don’t need to stand at church hoping that all the lost will enter. I don’t even need to be on a mission trip. I need to be like Jesus going out to the bars talking to the lost. Getting into those places , bringing the light into the dark corners. I need to let them know there is hope. Is it hard to get out of that comfort zone? Yeah! Or think I’m out with my friends, I’m not out to talk to you? Yes. But seeing people through Jesus’ eyes and knowing that they’re needing the hope that I hold in my life is worth pursuing.
Why not break the mold? Why not make an impact in the ways they need? Bring the light into the darkness. Know that ministry isn’t for the times marked as ministry. It’s loving people in the bar, at the grocery store, at the restaurant and right where you are. Be uncomfortable. Say the wrong thing at times. Show your weaknesses and show love through the small talk or lent ear. Know Christ uses all of us. Be the willing heart He’s asked for.
