Bring the Party (and Go Where It’s Already Happening)

Not every ‘party’ needs to be hosted by you. Sometimes mission means showing up at someone else’s space and bringing God’s joy, presence, and peace with you.

Jesus gives us a clear model for relational mission in Luke 10. When He sends out the seventy-two, He instructs them to enter homes (or more accurately, ‘households’, meaning networks of relationships) and to accept hospitality. “Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.” (Luke 10:7, NIV)

This is less a tip about politeness, and more a strategy to build trust and mutual friendship. Sharing food and time together becomes the doorway to deeper spiritual openness. By being on their familiar turf, your lost friends’ barriers to the Gospel are often more readily lowered.

You can bring the party into places where people are already gathering. A school function, a neighborhood BBQ, a birthday party, a break room discussion at work, a board game night, an evening walk with a neighbor - anything can become a moment for mission.

Remember: You're not just a guest, you’re an ambassador of the King. “And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20, NIV)

This does NOT mean you now have to morph into a crazily extroverted hype-monster! To bring the party means that you simply carry the presence of the Holy Spirit with you. You operate from a place of grace and compassion, knowingly empowered by your existing naturally supernatural lifestyle. Interestingly, we often find slightly quieter types find this easier to do.

Go with intentionality, pray as you do so, and watch for those divine moments of connection. Look for those who linger around you, the ones who ‘spot’ something (or Someone!) in You that they are missing.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NIV), “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” Clearly he doesn’t mean compromise or deny your faith in Christ in order to fit in! Instead, think of this as looking for the connection points, the places where you can say ‘Yes! I’m like that too!’, or ‘I’d love to know more about that part of your story’.

And then when they ask you what you think, you can do so through a Christ-infused perspective that reveals the eternal hope that we carry. Peter encouraged that in these words, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

So whether you're planning a party or attending one, ask: How can I reflect the Kingdom here?

Your Next Steps

1. Is there a gathering you’ve been invited to that you’ve hesitated about attending? Could God be nudging you to go? If so, pray before you go, asking Jesus to use your presence as a conduit of His grace and love.
2. What would it look like to ‘bring the party’ with you, so that you show up as a Spirit-infused version of you?
3. Which relationships could you deepen just by showing up more consistently where others already are?

To Help You

We’ve shot a quick video in our kitchen, where we share some practical ideas on using parties as a bridge into living on mission. After you’ve finished praying the prayer below, check it out!

Prayer

Lord, thank You that You don’t just call us to host, but to go. Help me to recognize every gathering as a mission field. Fill me with joy, peace, and hope so that when I enter a room, people sense Your presence. Teach me to see with Your eyes, to love with Your heart, and to move with Your Spirit. Amen.

More Resources for You!

Did this Plan stir something in you?

We created Empowered to Go: PARTIES to help you find fun ways to build community with the lost and see who likes Jesus in you!

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