Dear BPCWAians, Last week, we looked at the topic of our Christian duty in hospitality. It is important to answer the question now – So what can I do?

What is hospitality? Hospitality is one area of service where everyone can play a part, though in different areas. Some may have especially the gift of hospitality, and the Bible mentions exhortation (or consoling), giving, and mercy (Rom 12:8). But every Christian is expected to “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” (1 Pet 4:9) The command is directed specifically to “the stranger that dwelleth with you” (Lev 19:34) – ie, to ones that joined themselves to the Israelites, and who would be subject to Israel’s civil laws and the LORD’s instituted sabbath days as these strangers dwelled in Israel. By way of application today, we should then extend hospitality to the “strangers” who will join us in worship of our Lord. It involves day to day things you do for the visitors that you see at church and that settle in to worship with us. In extending hospitality, we do it without expectation of anything in return. Inviting people, be they international students or general visitors, is just the beginning of hospitality opportunities. When visitors come into our midst, each of us should do our part to engage them and show hospitality with the ability God gives. Below are just some examples, but there are many more that you can do.

1. Help them feel welcome. Someone comes to a foreign land and away from family. Or they are new to a church where everyone seems to know everybody. They sit down, watching the people around them chatting like old friends. Imagine how they feel. If you see someone new, why not turn around and talk to them? Don’t run off after worship, but stay around to extend a welcome to the student or visitor. It makes a huge difference to them. Remember how it was with some of you? This is not just the responsibility of the “Welcomers and Usherers”, but of every worshipper. Introduce them to other people in the church, get others to talk to them as well. Better still, invite them to join you if you’re about to pop out for lunch. Give them suggestions that can help them to settle into Perth and to BPCWA.
2. Kitchen Ministry. We thank God for those that serve tirelessly behind the scenes in this ministry. Through the efforts of these ones, the church as a whole can extend hospitality to many. Just like many of us host friends and relatives into our homes for meals, those in our kitchen ministry enable us to do it as a church which is the covenantal family in Christ. You can be part of this church hospitality team too. You can help cook, contribute a dish to our many events, or just simply help in the wash up.
3. Personal Hospitality.What many international students miss when they’re new is their home. And there’s something that’s a bit more personal about a home invitation, where they’re in a family environment. Consider inviting them to your homes for a home-cooked meal. Let them know that they have a family in Christ here, that cares for them. Or if you’re not able, then bring them out for a simple meal together. I am sure you would like others to treat your children or siblings this way if they are away alone in a foreign land.
4. Giving. “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1Jn 3:17). Till today, I remember and am thankful for the loan of a down filled jacket by a fellow student and Christian friend when I went away from home to study overseas. Remember the reason why God has liberally given to us our earthly possessions is so that we can help His children who are in need. This is part of being good stewards of what He has entrusted to us.
5. Transport. Never thought of this as part of the hospitality ministry? Think again. While it may seem very menial, this contributes directly to the spiritual growth of the student. It enables the student to come to learn God’s Word and to worship God together with us. This is especially needful on Sunday to/from Worship, and there is also often a need for Friday fellowships and for prayer meetings as well. You may feel that this is not an easy ministry to commit to, because you may have to take a diversion from your usual route. Or it may mean that you have to spend a bit more time on the road or forgo your usual schedule that you’re used to. If God has given you a car, endeavour to use it for His service. We hope that with more drivers, it is easier for this transport ministry to rotate the roster among more people. Without it, those who do not have a car cannot come to worship, be part of corporate prayer, learn more about God to grow spiritually, and go for outreaches with us. It is a very critical hospitality ministry that has significant spiritual impact on lives.

As we have been learning over the past few weeks, the church is our covenantal family. God puts everyone in the church so that the whole body will be “fitly joined together and compacted” with “every joint” in the body working towards this (Eph 4:16). When God brings someone to our midst to worship and learn with us, it is to help them come “unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). May every joint in BPCWA work for the edification of the body for the glory of our Head – Christ, our Lord!

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,

Tell of His pow’r to forgive;

Others will trust Him if only you prove True,

every moment you live.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,

Out of my life may Jesus shine;

Make me a blessing, O Savior,

I pray, Make me a blessing to someone today.

Yours in our Lord’s service

Pastor