“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46–47, NIV)
From the very beginning, hospitality has been a natural habitat for evangelism. In Acts, the early believers didn’t just preach sermons in public squares—they welcomed others into their homes, sharing meals, stories, and life. Evangelism wasn’t a strategy; it was the overflow of community, compassion, and genuine relationship.
Fast-forward to today’s world, where people are busy building careers, chasing success, and scrolling endlessly. Many are too occupied for meetings—let alone anything labeled “religious.” And yet, underneath the busyness, there is still a deep hunger for connection, for being seen, known, and loved. As followers of Jesus, this presents a beautiful opportunity: not just to preach the gospel, but to embody it through presence and invitation.
When Hospitality Met Crisis
On February 24, 2022, my life changed forever when Russia invaded Ukraine. Just two weeks later, I found myself in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, at a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) ministry location, not as a missionary, but as a refugee.
What moved me most during those early days wasn’t the programs or preaching—it was the hospitality. The YWAM Cluj staff welcomed us into their lives with radical kindness. They didn’t just give us food and shelter—they gave us dignity, conversation, and belonging. Their open doors and open hearts left a deep mark on me.
Until then, I thought ministry was mostly about having the right theology and telling people the truth. But around that table in Cluj, I realized something powerful: it’s much easier to talk about Jesus, life, fears, and hope when people are sharing a meal. There’s something disarming and deeply spiritual about the table—it invites honesty, and it invites Jesus.
Testing the Table
My wife and I began wondering: was this openness just a “refugee” response, or is there something deeper at play? Could hospitality be a missional key for reaching all kinds of people?
So, we tried it.
We began inviting internationals we met in Cluj—students, workers, strangers in cafes—to join us for a meal. “Would you like to meet other internationals and share a meal together?” we’d ask. At first, people were cautious. In many cultures, an unsolicited invitation is suspicious. People assume you want something from them.
But we persisted. At our very first gathering, 14 people showed up—two hours late! But we laughed, connected, and left with new friends. Word spread. Month after month, our simple meals grew. Eventually, we had more than 100 people showing up. We ran out of space.
And then something beautiful began to happen.
As trust grew, we started asking, “Would you be interested in reading the Bible with us?” And to our surprise, many said yes. One person said, “We’ve always wondered why you care so much about us. We want to know more about this Jesus.”
From Meals to Movements
What began as a dinner became a discipleship movement. Today, we have more than eight small groups meeting across the city every week. People gather to read Scripture, pray, and grow together. It all started with meals, laughter, and honest conversation around the table.
This is the heart of the gospel in action: hospitality that makes space for Jesus.
Hospitality is Evangelism
Hospitality and evangelism are not two separate ministries. They are two sides of the same coin. Hospitality is the soil in which gospel seeds are sown. It opens hearts, builds trust, and creates safe spaces for truth to be received.
When we open our homes and lives to others, we reflect the welcoming nature of God. Hospitality puts skin on the gospel message—it shows people they are seen, known, and loved, often before they ever hear a sermon.
In a world marked by loneliness and division, simple acts of kindness can open deep spiritual doors. Whether we’re offering a meal, a listening ear, a ride to the airport, or just being present—these moments are holy ground. They are bridges across which Jesus can walk into someone’s life.
Jesus at the Table
Jesus did much of His ministry at tables—eating with tax collectors, sinners, outcasts, and friends. He didn’t just teach the truth; He embodied it through hospitality. As YWAM leaders and missionaries, we are invited to do the same.
Whether you’re working with internationals, vulnerable families, or your own neighbours, don’t underestimate the power of an open table. It could be the beginning of someone’s journey to faith. Because when people experience Christ-like hospitality, they often become curious about the Christ behind it.
Let us be known not just for the messages we preach but for the meals we share.
Key Pull Quotes: ● “Hospitality is the soil in which gospel seeds are sown.”
● “People may not come to a meeting, but they’ll come to a meal.”
● “We didn’t start with Bible studies—we started with shared stories over food.”
● “Hospitality isn’t just about feeding stomachs; it’s about opening hearts to Jesus.”
● “In a lonely world, an open table becomes a sanctuary.”
Kwame Obeng Yeboah is a YWAM worker currently serving in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Originally from Ghana,he was trained as a doctor in Ukraine. Currently, he and his wife minister among international communities through simple hospitality and discipleship. He is passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and encounter Jesus—often around a shared meal.
