This article is the first of several upcoming pieces on the ministry of connection and belonging. It shares personal experiences and biblical insight into what it truly means to welcome newcomers, integrate them into community and reflect the heart of Jesus by making sure everyone feels seen and valued.
Every calling begins with a moment – or a series of moments – that reveal a path we never quite anticipated.
My journey to becoming a Connections Pastor wasn’t a straight line. It was a winding path marked by personal experiences, observations and a growing conviction about the power of genuine belonging within a faith community.
Over the years, I’ve realised this simple but profound truth: everyone longs to be seen.
Everyone needs to belong.
Learning the Hard Way: Our First Sunday Abroad
For most of our early working years, my husband and I served as church pastors.
In that role, immediate acceptance and an inherent sense of belonging within the church family were a given.
But in our mid-40s, everything changed when we answered the call to become global workers in Southeast Asia. On our very first Sunday in Thailand, were met with polite smiles – but I don’t recall a single person speaking to us.
I remember saying to my husband: “Oh, this is how newcomers feel.”
That experience became the catalyst. It sparked a deep conviction in my heart to help people truly belong. Too often, the responsibility is placed on the visitor to connect.
That’s a missed opportunity.
As global workers, we also felt the ache of dislocation: loss of routines, our culture and our beloved church community. And in that experience, I grasped something I had never fully understood before:
The need for belonging is not just a comfort – it’s a fundamental need, magnified when you’re in an unfamiliar world.
Embracing the Role: Stepping into Connections Ministry
Connections ministry felt natural to me. My life experiences had already prepared me for it. This ministry has been a journey of constant learning, adapting and – most importantly –connecting with countless individuals, each carrying their own story and longing for belonging.
For many years, I had the joy of pastoring young adults. I realized that belonging wasn’t created through flashy worship or a perfectly designed space. It was through encounter – with God and with people. That’s why I prioritized authentic worship, a spirit-led Word and an opportunity for prayer.
I also introduced new students to peers in the same year of university, field or background.
Those small introductions often became the doorway to community.
The next step was giving them purpose. Whether greeting at YA nights, joining the dance team or serving in another role, stepping into ministry gave them ownership – and with it, a deeper sense of belonging.
The statistics are sobering. A high percentage of young adults question or lose their faith during university years*.
I saw my assignment clearly: do everything I can to keep them rooted, connected and growing in their faith. I wanted to push those numbers down as long as I was leading.
Later, as a Connections Pastor, I had a front-row seat to life-changing moments. I saw faith-questioners, newcomers to Canada and seekers alike find a home.
Time and again, people echoed a singular sentiment: ‘I felt genuinely seen, I felt truly loved.’
Many also said they experienced God’s presence not just in the service, but from the moment they walked through our doors.
“You Belong” isn’t just a church tagline. It’s a holy assignment for every church seeking to be a vibrant, welcoming and life-giving community.
Jesus Sees Us
The midday sun beat down on the ancient town of Sychar in Samaria. Samaritans and Jews weren’t BFF’s: in fact, they had a deep seated ethnic and religious animosity.
However, there, at Jacob’s well, Jesus rested – hot, tired and thirsty. As he sat, a Samaritan woman approached, coming at an unusual hour to draw water– probably hoping to avoid the judgmental stares.
This encounter, recorded in John 4, shows Jesus’ radical approach to human connection.
When he asked her for a drink, she was stunned. Jews and Samaritans weren’t supposed to talk. But Jesus saw beyond barriers. He saw her heart.
Instead of condemnation, he spoke to her with compassion. He revealed her story with supernatural insight, not to shame her, but to show her she was known and valued.
He even trusted her with one of the most powerful revelations: “I AM the Messiah!” (John 4:26 NLT).
He chose her – a marginalised, overlooked woman – to be one of the first to hear this life-altering truth. This is the Jesus who sees us.
Her testimony sparked revival in her village. Many believed because she declared, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” (John 4:29 NLT).
Our Holy Assignment
Helping people feel seen and know they belong is more than good hospitality – it’s sacred work. Every time we intentionally welcome a newcomer, we mirror the heart of Jesus. And just like the Samaritan woman’s story, the ripple effect can reach far beyond what we imagine.
*Barna Research (David Kinnaman) reports that 64% of students who identified as Christians in high school either abandon their faith or sharply reduce their practice after starting college. By age 29, roughly 80% of individuals raised in the church become “disengaged” – meaning they no longer attend regularly or feel connected to their faith.
To be continued…
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