Henri Nouwen in his book “Reaching Out” describes hospitality as “a fundamental attitude toward our fellow human being...the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy…not to change people, but to offer them a space where change can take place.”

Isn’t that the kind of church we want to be? A place where transformation and growth can take place? A place where those who are strangers to Jesus can encounter Jesus, know Jesus, and grow to be more like Jesus?

But how do we go about creating a welcoming, hospitable church where strangers can become family?

That’s what we are going to be looking at in January as we kick off the new year - with a new sermon series - and a new area of focus for 2020 - as we seek to have a welcoming heart, be a welcoming church, and make a welcoming home.