Buddy Up!
A Simple Evangelical Outreach Anyone Can Do
Buddy Up! I asked Tammy Eckstrom, an active member at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Freedom, why she thought of calling this new ministry Buddy Up I should have guessed knowing that Tammy owns a horse and is an avid rider. She replied that she was trying to think of a name for it and the name just came to her. She added, “It rhymes with Giddy Up!”
I wanted to know more about this ministry when I read about it in the church bulletin. Cindy and I attended our first meeting in the Fall, and have attended subsequent meetings. I found out that the idea grew out of a group of people reading Joining Jesus on His Journey. The author, The Reverend Greg Finke, is the Associate Pastor of Missions at Trinity Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas.
On his website, Finke writes, “I am a follower of Jesus. He’s been leading my life from the beginning. But lately He’s really been messing with my status quo.” He explains that “although I knew a lot about Jesus, I didn’t really know Jesus very well.” He continues, “I realized there was a big difference between believing in Jesus and actually believing Jesus. I realized there was a big difference between believing in Jesus and actually following Jesus.”
I read Finke’s book, and agree with a review that states it will “alter the way you see your life as a follower of Jesus and take you beyond living your life for Jesus to living life with Jesus. Simple, powerful and applicable insights show you how to be on mission and recognize where Jesus is already at work in your neighborhoods, workplaces and schools.”
After I completed Finke’s work, I spoke with Tammy about Buddy Up. The gist of our conversation was that after reading Joining Jesus, she was excited but unsure how to carry what she learned to the next level. She shared some of the stories people related at the October meeting.
During the November meeting, individuals volunteered to prepare care packages for members of Prince of Peace who are attending college. Others shared how they acted upon opportunities to share their faith with friends or strangers.
Fast forward to this past week. On Wednesday, Cindy and I went to UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital for a scheduled MRI on my knees for a study in which I am participating. Emma, the young woman who is part of the team conducting this research met Cindy, and guided her to the waiting room. After completing the necessary questions prior to the MRI, Emma asked me, “Do you two have any exciting plans for the evening?” I replied, “We’re going to church.” To my surprise she inquired, “Oh, what church do you attend?” I answered, and then she told me that only recently has she resumed attending church, adding that she really enjoys it.
We continued the conversation as we waited for the MRI tech to come into the room. She briefly sketched her spiritual journey, asked me about the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, and noted that she lives near one of the LCMS churches. I encouraged her to attend.
Two days later, we were waiting for an energy company representative to come to our home to renew a mineral rights lease. As the conversation started, Cindy mentioned that Prince of Peace receives royalties from an energy company. The rep asked the location of our church. After we signed the paperwork, I asked the man, “What church do you attend?” He replied that his family and he attend an active congregation near the Pittsburgh Airport. He added a few anecdotes about the priests, his marriage classes and wedding, as well as the activities for his children.
After these two episodes, I discussed my experiences with Cindy, realizing that this is what Pastor Finke and Tammy were writing and talking about. Conversations about our Christian faith are not contrived or rehearsed, but flow naturally from a simple conversation. A young woman coordinating schedules for study group members, a husband and father meeting with landowners. Such conversations happen everyday among neighbors, at ball games, waiting in the checkout line or riding the bus.
As I started thinking about these experiences, I recalled another time when speaking about my faith transformed an angry man into a guy who asked me to give him a hug. You can read that story here.
Back to attending our original meeting. The mission of Buddy Up is: To help new and existing members become part of the Prince of Peace family for the purpose of sharing the Gospel with the church and community. Responsibilities and Activities include introducing yourself to others, inviting people to church events, including worship and Bible class. We also seek to integrate new members into the congregation by learning about their gifts and explaining how they can serve. When church members go missing for a few weeks, we text or call them.
Tammy has been encouraged by the willingness of participants to reach out and share what they are doing. “I think there’s a comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit does the heavy lifting. All we need to do is be considerate of and kind to our neighbors (wherever they may be) and be willing to listen when the opportunity arises.” That is most important. Don’t let opportunities slide.
Friends, I encourage you to be open to how God sets before you people who are looking for a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. They may be non-practicing Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists or unbelievers. Ask them to join you as you journey with Jesus Christ through this life and into eternal life. He is the only One who can make this happen. If you would like to know more about Buddy Up, leave a message.