The theme of hospitality is extremely prevalent throughout scripture. The people of God are consistently, even explicitly, called to care for the stranger, whomever that may be. I’ve been fortunate enough to be on both the giving and receiving end of biblical hospitality. Growing up, my family hosted exchange students nearly every other year from the time I was 10 years old until after I began college. Bosnia, Germany, Morocco, China, and Vietnam represent just a few of the many cultures and people I got to experience and meet growing up. We didn’t know them. They didn’t know us. But somehow over the course of a year, they left our home no longer strangers.

     I was taken in by strangers numerous times as I navigated internships both within ministry and my undergraduate career. The Billips provided a room and a place at their table as I completed an internship with the U.S. Marshals’ Service. The Porterfields gave me a place to rest and friends to share life with as I explored youth ministry for the first time. Ms. Cline invited me into her home and told me stories about her late husband’s time as a pastor as I completed divinity school. Diane housed Celine, Indy (our puppy), and I when we first moved to Benson, North Carolina. Laura and Matt Wright opened their rental home to us and three-month-old Liam as we began our time at Ardmore Baptist Church.

     While we are incredibly thankful for the Wrights and their hospitality, we are also grateful for the hospitality we’ve experienced in other ways: the love and care you’ve given us through your words of welcome, the delight you take in Liam, the meals you left on our doorstep, all the baby things, and helping us move TWICE (once into the rental and once into our new home). Ardmore has already loved us so well, and we love Ardmore right back and look forward to many years together.

Will, Celine, and Liam