Creating Safe Spaces for Conversations
October 6, 2025
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathaniel asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. – John 1:46 (NIV)
Philip had just given Nathaniel great news that they had found the one that Moses had written about. But Nathaniel’s immediate response was negative, focused only on the town Jesus came from. This conversation has echoed through the centuries because most of us carry preconceived ideas and prejudices about others and places. Like Nathaniel, we often filter what we see and hear through our social frameworks and pass judgment before we ever interact with others.
Philip was more levelheaded. He merely said, “Come and see”. He knew that once Nathaniel met Jesus, his prejudices would melt and he would be a changed man. Indeed, after Nathaniel met Jesus, he was never the same.
Are you more like Nathaniel or more like Philip? Are you the one with the negative attitude or the one who invites others to come and see Jesus? I must confess, sometimes I have been the negative one. I’ve judged sin before seeing the person. But that is not the way of Jesus, and that should not be our way either. Was I perfect before I met Christ? Heavens no. So why do I judge others and expect them to be perfect?
As we interact and seek to share the gospel with Muslims, are we seeing them as Christ does—as lost sheep without a shepherd? Or is there too much baggage clouding our eyes and hearts? Jesus came for the lost, and that includes Muslims just as much as it included you and me before we came to faith in Jesus. How dare I ignore or push a lost sheep away!
As we enter the fall season, I want to challenge you to invite a Muslim friend or coworker to join you and your family for a trip to an apple orchard, a pumpkin patch, or simply walk through a park of splendid autumn colors. Perhaps you could gather around a cheery bonfire or do another activity you both enjoy. Whatever it might be, pray that it will allow you to pray with them and share a simple Bible story. Perhaps the one about Philip and Nathaniel, or another one that demonstrates a life transformed by an encounter with Jesus.
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathaniel asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. – John 1:46 (NIV)
Philip had just given Nathaniel great news that they had found the one that Moses had written about. But Nathaniel’s immediate response was negative, focused only on the town Jesus came from. This conversation has echoed through the centuries because most of us carry preconceived ideas and prejudices about others and places. Like Nathaniel, we often filter what we see and hear through our social frameworks and pass judgment before we ever interact with others.
Philip was more levelheaded. He merely said, “Come and see”. He knew that once Nathaniel met Jesus, his prejudices would melt and he would be a changed man. Indeed, after Nathaniel met Jesus, he was never the same.
Are you more like Nathaniel or more like Philip? Are you the one with the negative attitude or the one who invites others to come and see Jesus? I must confess, sometimes I have been the negative one. I’ve judged sin before seeing the person. But that is not the way of Jesus, and that should not be our way either. Was I perfect before I met Christ? Heavens no. So why do I judge others and expect them to be perfect?
As we interact and seek to share the gospel with Muslims, are we seeing them as Christ does—as lost sheep without a shepherd? Or is there too much baggage clouding our eyes and hearts? Jesus came for the lost, and that includes Muslims just as much as it included you and me before we came to faith in Jesus. How dare I ignore or push a lost sheep away!
As we enter the fall season, I want to challenge you to invite a Muslim friend or coworker to join you and your family for a trip to an apple orchard, a pumpkin patch, or simply walk through a park of splendid autumn colors. Perhaps you could gather around a cheery bonfire or do another activity you both enjoy. Whatever it might be, pray that it will allow you to pray with them and share a simple Bible story. Perhaps the one about Philip and Nathaniel, or another one that demonstrates a life transformed by an encounter with Jesus.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
