“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” 
— Hebrews 13:2 

Over the past few weeks, you’ve likely noticed something new and exciting in our church: the beautiful Welcome Center now in place in our Commons Area.  This is a collaborative vision of many leaders since we finished the expansion and renovations over a decade ago.  We are particularly grateful for Vickie Felts and Sue Robertson, David Duncan and Judy Wood, Bruce Hage and the entire Outreach Group for their diligence and visionary leadership.  We also give thanks to the HRBC Endowment through whose grant made this possible.  What a gift this is—not just as a physical space, but as a powerful reminder of a biblical calling.   

Our Outreach Group leaders are still thoughtfully planning its full implementation, but the presence of this space already points to something deeper: the sacred ministry of hospitality. 

Nearly a decade ago, I preached a message called “Chick-Fil-A, Nordstrom, Wegmans… Church?”  In it, I made the case that if customer service is considered a non-negotiable in fast-food chains, grocery stores, and luxury hotels, then surely the church—God’s household—should lead the way in caring for people.  Why should we be satisfied with others outshining us in hospitality, when Scripture gives us both the mandate and the model? 

In Genesis 18, Abraham, a stranger himself in a foreign land, extended extraordinary hospitality to three unknown visitors.  He didn’t yet know it was the Lord and two angels who had come, but he treated them with respect, urgency, and generosity.  He offered water to wash their feet, a shaded place to rest, and a freshly prepared meal that went far beyond the ordinary.  Abraham modeled what it means to welcome not just guests, but God’s very presence. 

This story is echoed in the words of Hebrews 13:2—“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers…”—and in Paul’s instruction in Romans 12:13 to “practice hospitality.”  James 2:8 reminds us that when we love our neighbor as ourselves, we are fulfilling the royal law of Scripture.  These passages reveal that hospitality is not optional for the church.  It is central to our witness. 

At HRBC, I see this heart for hospitality lived out regularly.  When our daughter was starting middle school as a newcomer to the area, one of the girls in our youth group saw her in the lunchroom and waved her over to sit at her table.  (Remember what it’s like to walk in a school cafeteria all alone—anxious and afraid.)  That simple gesture made all the difference.  It reminded me that hospitality is more than greeters at the door or refreshments in the Commons (although especially important).  It is a way of seeing people the way God sees them—of making space at the table for those who might otherwise feel alone. 

Our Welcome Center is more than a desk or a brochure rack.  It is a signpost of our calling.  It is our opportunity to say, “You matter. You are seen. You are welcome here.”  As we move toward fuller implementation of this space and its purpose, I invite you to help us lead the way in creating a culture where everyone—from longtime members to first-time guests—feels the warmth of Christ’s welcome.  I also hope you will consider volunteering.  Be on the lookout for opportunities to come! 

Because when the church practices real hospitality, we don’t just serve people well—we encounter Christ himself. 

Let’s not settle for the world setting the standard.  Let’s rise to the one already set for us by Jesus. 

In His Goodness and Grace,