There’s someone in your life who needs Jesus. It might be a friend, a coworker, or even a family member. But have you invited them to church? If not, you’re not alone—statistics show that while 82% of unchurched people would attend church if invited, only 2% of Christians actually invite them. It’s time to change that.
In John 3, John the Baptist hears the news that everyone is leaving him to follow Jesus. Instead of feeling threatened or discouraged, he responds with humility: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). John knew his role—to prepare the way for Jesus—and he embraced it fully. And that’s our role, too.
Pray for Those It’s Hard to Pray For
Before we get into inviting others, let’s talk about another challenge: praying for people who might be hard to pray for. Think about it:
- A coworker going after the same promotion as you.
- A business competitor who might succeed instead of you.
- Someone who has hurt you or wronged you.
Can you pray for them? Not just a neutral prayer, but truly asking God to bless them?
It’s hard, but it shifts our focus. As followers of Jesus, our lives are no longer about us—they’re about Him. When we pray for others, even when it’s difficult, we reflect the heart of Jesus and participate in growing His Kingdom.
John the Baptist’s Example: The Joy of Seeing Jesus Increase
John the Baptist had built a ministry. People followed him, respected him, and listened to his teaching. But as soon as Jesus entered the scene, John’s crowd began to shrink. His disciples were concerned, but John wasn’t—he rejoiced.
Why? Because he understood his purpose. He wasn’t the Messiah. He was sent ahead of Him.
John compared himself to the friend of the groom (John 3:29). In a Jewish wedding, the groom’s friend played a key role—helping prepare for the celebration. But once the groom arrived, his job was done. John saw Jesus as the groom, and his greatest joy was to see Him take center stage.
We have the same calling: to prepare the way for people to meet Jesus. It’s not about our own recognition. It’s about making it easy for others to receive Him.
Making It Easy for People to Come to Jesus
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands us: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Some people think this means they need to be street preachers or missionaries. But that’s not what this always looks like. For most of us, our mission field is right in front of us—our workplace, our family, our social circles.
We all have people who would listen to us more than they would anyone else.
And the truth is, most people don’t come to church because of a billboard or a Facebook ad. They come because someone they trust invited them.
The Power of an Invitation: The Numbers Speak for Themselves
At Grace Community Church, a survey was conducted to see how people found their way to the church. The results were surprising:
- Radio & community events: Less than 1%
- Newspaper ads: 3%
- Social media & website: 12%
- Driving by or living nearby: 28%
- Friend or family invitation: 49%
That means nearly half of the congregation is there because someone simply invited them.
Dr. Thom Rainer’s study supports this. He found that 82% of unchurched people would attend church if someone invited them, but only 2% of Christians actually do. That’s a massive opportunity!
Your Challenge: One Simple Invitation This Week
Who is in your life that you can invite to church this week? Not a stranger—someone who knows you. Maybe it’s:
- The coworker who sees you every day.
- The neighbor who always waves but never talks.
- A friend who has mentioned they feel lost or overwhelmed.
This isn’t about a forced conversation or making things awkward. It can be as simple as saying:
“Hey, my church is going through a really cool series. I think you’d like it. Want to come with me this Sunday? We can grab breakfast after!” That’s it. No pressure. Just an invitation.
Living a Life Where Jesus Increases
John the Baptist’s words weren’t just for his own life—they’re for ours too. “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
- Jesus should be greater in our words, our actions, and our priorities.
- Our ego, comfort, and fear of rejection should decrease.
- Our willingness to pray for and invite others should increase.
The world changes when believers live this way. Because when Jesus increases in our lives, others notice.
So this week, pray for someone who’s hard to pray for. Then, invite someone to church. You never know how that simple invitation could change their life forever.
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