Unlocking the Power of Radical Hospitality
A Personal Encounter with Love and Faith
Rosaria Butterfield, author of “The Gospel Comes with a House Key,” shares her remarkable story of how she, an unbelieving lesbian, encountered God’s love through radically ordinary hospitality. This transformative experience changed her life and inspired her to equip Christians to show a post-Christian world what authentic love and faith look like.
From Unlikely Friendships to Life-Changing Encounters
Twenty years ago, Rosaria lived a seemingly normal life as a lesbian professor in New York. However, her feminist and Marxist worldviews couldn’t answer the big questions that arose in her professional life. As she researched for a book on the religious right, she met a pastor, Ken Smith, and his wife, Floy, who became her friends and introduced her to the Bible. Through their hospitality and friendship, Rosaria came to know Jesus, and her life was forever changed.
The Art of Radical Hospitality
Rosaria highlights the importance of engaging with the LGBTQ community with boldness and love. She encourages Christians to pursue flesh-and-blood friendships with those who don’t yet know Christ. Her own experience demonstrates that radically ordinary hospitality can break down preconceived ideas about Christians and inspire others to explore the Bible.
Ordinary Yet Extraordinary
What sets Ken and Floy Smith’s hospitality apart is its simplicity and authenticity. They didn’t have a master plan or sophisticated approach; they simply invited people into their home, shared meals, and opened the Bible together. This ordinary act became a powerful tool for God to work in Rosaria’s life.
Deeper Conversations, Deeper Connections
Rosaria emphasizes that the goal of these conversations is not to end them, but to deepen them. By inviting Jesus into the conversation, we can create a space for meaningful connections and spiritual growth. This approach requires vulnerability, transparency, and a willingness to engage with others in a genuine way.
A Call to Action
Rosaria’s story inspires us to rethink our approach to evangelism and hospitality. By embracing radically ordinary hospitality, we can create a space for God to work in the lives of those around us. Will you take the first step in showing a post-Christian world what authentic love and faith look like?
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