Hospitality: Holding Space For Loving One Another

This past Sunday, a young man named John visited our church with his parents. And something surprised me that shouldn’t have.

It wasn’t that these three strangers chose to worship in person with us, but the fact that they were not surprised to be greeted by two giant dogs and a few strangers as well.
 
As it turned out, John found us through this blog which led him to the Anamesa website. Apparently, this was just the kind of church he had been looking for since moving to Los Angeles.

So, when his folks, who were visiting from East Texas, wanted to go to church, John jumped at the chance to check us out.

After the camera was off, they quickly join in conversation, and within moments, it was clear that they weren’t just visitors—they were already becoming part of our church family.
 
When Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?” he responded with the story of the Good Samaritan, a beautiful example of showing radical, Christlike love to someone in need. It reminds us that hospitality goes beyond a warm welcome—it’s about extending the same love God gives to all of us.

It's the kind of love that treats strangers as family, going beyond what's expected to make people feel genuinely seen and cared for. Jesus calls us to be his hands and feet, and I believe that begins with how we welcome others.
 
I don’t know if or when John will return, but while they were with us, I was (and wasn’t) surprised at how quickly and naturally the whole church made sure they felt valued and loved.

​That’s what true hospitality looks like – love in action. As we’ve been saying since our inception: Church is not a building. It’s people, with open hearts and arms, who are ready to welcome everyone home.