Written by Gail Ficken
For years we’ve made evangelism feel like something for the professionals.
Complicated.
Intimidating.
Uncertain.
Scary.
Somewhere along the way, many ordinary Christians concluded, “That’s not for me.”
I’d like to reset that thinking with five simple words:
Just walk across the yard.
Maybe your “yard” isn’t a backyard. Maybe it’s a break room. A conference room. A client meeting. A waiting room. An office. A neighborhood gathering. A coffee shop. A checkout line.
Whatever your “yard” looks like, God has already placed people there.
Many years ago, before Multipli’s Awaken and Genesis Leader training ever existed, God taught me this lesson in a way I’ve never forgotten.
My family had been away for the weekend when an online news story broke involving one of our neighbors, whose home sat just across our backyard. If the story was true, it was heartbreaking. These weren’t strangers. They had become friends.
When we arrived home Sunday afternoon, our family went outside to play. Across the yard the shades were drawn. The house was dark.
I stood there wondering what to do.
Or maybe, more honestly… what not to do.
Then I sensed the quiet prompting:
“Just walk across the yard.”
It sounds simple.
It wasn’t.
Leaving the comfort of my own backyard and stepping into theirs felt surprisingly difficult. I had no idea what to say, what questions to ask, or what would happen next. As I reached the back door and lifted my hand to knock, the door opened.
I’ll never forget the first words they spoke.
“When we thought about who could help us, we thought of the two of you.”
Behind that back door was a family living through unimaginable pain. Over the next several months, a well-worn path appeared between our homes through the grass, the leaves, and eventually the snow.
We shared life.
Crisis.
Questions.
Anger.
Disappointment.
Fear.
I listened far more than I talked. When appropriate, I shared pieces of my own story—the broken places, the difficult seasons, and the hope I’d found in Jesus.
Occasionally someone would send them a Bible verse or a quick Christian slogan. Instead of helping, it often made them more frustrated.
“I don’t think I can handle one more person throwing a Bible verse at me.”
People rarely need a slogan before they know you care.
About nine months later my phone rang. “Gail… can you come over? The whole family is here. We’re going to court today. Hard consequences are ahead. Would you come… and share the hope that you have?”
This time there was no uncertainty. The invitation had already been extended.
Once again…
Just walk across the yard.
As I walked, I prayed. Inside their kitchen sat both sides of the extended family, gathered together.
Then someone looked at me and simply said, “Gail… tell us about the hope you have. We know your life hasn’t always been easy. Tell us where your hope comes from.”
So I did.
I shared that every one of us has fallen short of God’s perfect standard. That sin separates us from God. But because God loves us, He sent Jesus to do what none of us could do for ourselves. Jesus took our place. Because of Him, forgiveness is possible through faith. Hope is possible.
No matter what we’ve done.
No matter where life has taken us.
The room didn’t suddenly fill with smiles. The circumstances didn’t change. The hard road awaited.
But something else was present that day.
Hope.
Soon they left for court. I quietly walked back across the yard. As I crossed that invisible line between their backyard and mine, I sensed the Spirit of God impress something on my heart I’ll never forget.
“Gail… I want you to multiply this.”
Again.
And again.
And again.
Not because everyone has neighbors facing a tragedy like this one. But because every Christian has a “yard.” Every one of us has people God has already placed nearby.
What I Learned
Nothing happens until someone walks across the yard. Fear has kept too many Christians standing still.
The truth is, God is already at work long before you arrive. He’s working in you. He’s working in the other person. He’s preparing moments you could never arrange yourself.
Our responsibility isn’t to control the conversation or manufacture an outcome. Our responsibility is simply to be available. To listen. To love. To trust the Holy Spirit.
And…
to walk across the yard.
Your Next Step
Over the next few years, Multipli is trusting God to equip 10,000 Christians to confidently “walk across the yard” and naturally share the Good News wherever God has placed them.
If this story encouraged you, would you forward it with two—or even ten—friends? Someone you know may simply need the encouragement to take that first step.
If someone shared this post with you and you’d like to receive future encouragement and practical ideas for naturally sharing your faith, subscribe here to stay connected.
Finally, Awaken events will be happening in churches all across the United States this fall. If your church would like to explore hosting an Awaken weekend, we’d love to talk with you. Contact Nate to learn more, ask questions, or schedule a conversation.
Maybe the next person who discovers the hope of Jesus is waiting just across your yard.
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