All the lonely people

Paul Winter inspires us to be a friend

This week an email from the Evangelical Alliance reminded us of the importance of friendship. We were reminded that 53% of non-Christians know a practicing Christian, but 54% of Christians don’t know any non-Christians well enough to share their faith with them. What a challenge!

Below is a story about MCM missionary Paul Winter that might inspire us to intentionally develop purposeful friendships with those outside the church.

Paul has known P for several years but contact since the beginning of the pandemic has been very limited; P had lost her phone and her accommodation so there was no way of getting in touch. This week P appeared in one of her regular spots and Paul was able to have a catch-up. P told him that contact with her son had continued, but that she was now living in a hostel. Paul told her that she had been prayed for at his church prayer meeting and P immediately showed interest in attending a service at some stage. Paul told her that he would look at the area where she is living and see what might be appropriate. P gave Paul her present phone number with the hope of staying in touch and giving her some recommendations.

According to a recent government survey approximately three million people in England say that they feel lonely often or always. Why not reach out to someone today?