by Lt. Colonel David Harvey
Territorial Secretary for Business Administration
The room was crowded, full of people getting their assignments to take blankets to homebound seniors. The officer coordinating the event went over to one young volunteer and said, “Hello.” In just a few sentences, she found out that he worked in Milwaukee, had a wife and son, and their family had known The Salvation Army many years ago. Through that short conversation, the officer made a friendly connection and invited his family to the Oak Creek Centennial, Wis., Corps which would be having worship services the next day.
The following Monday was visitation night for the corps. My wife, Darlene, and I were taking cookies, a corps schedule and a War Cry to new people who had attended worship the previous day and had filled out a visitor card. The blanket volunteer was one of them. Since he wasn’t home, we left the cookies with a note. The next Sunday that young man, his wife and son came again to the corps. It was then I was able to go over and say, “Hello.” In just a few sentences, we connected over our love of sports. During the coming months, I saw our congregation continue to say “Hello” to the family, and in a short time, they connected with Jesus.
We live in a society that is electronic and polarized. Most people are just looking for a kind face and someone to say “Hello.” From the person you meet on the street to the one standing next to you in the grocery store checkout line, it only takes 30 seconds to say “Hello” and with a few questions, get to know someone’s background and interests. And when you connect one piece of their story to yours, you can invite them to check out an event at your corps. It doesn’t have to be the Sunday worship service at first. Many people just want to be seen and invited to connect with something that is not on a screen.
In Luke 19, we read the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who was rejected by many people. But when Jesus said “Hello” to Zacchaeus, who was in a tree, he was seen and saved that day.
Summer is a great time to get to know our communities. Let’s pray for moments to say “Hello” and see where the Lord can lead our new friends.
