Send us Fan Mail

What if the most powerful thing you could do for someone spiritually was just eat with them? This week on Midweek Motivation, Gabe and Melissa Kolstad sit down together to unpack why sharing a meal is one of the most underrated tools in the Christian life. Gabe shares the story of meeting a homeless man at a shelter and getting coffee with him every Friday for a year, a simple habit that completely changed the man's life. Melissa breaks down what she's learned from years of leading IF:Tables gatherings. If you've been praying for someone but don't know what the next step is, this might be it.


Discover:
- Why Jesus's first move with Matthew was accepting a dinner invitation, not delivering a sermon

- How weekly Friday coffee at a Portland Starbucks changed a homeless man's entire trajectory

- What IF:Tables taught Melissa about how food lowers every barrier in a room

- The story of a Filipino family, karaoke, lumpia, and two people coming to faith

- Why the BLESS framework puts eating before sharing your story (and why that matters)

- How a simple Halloween s'mores tent turned into a neighborhood ministry moment



Eating together isn't fancy. It's hot dogs in a cul-de-sac, coffee at a Starbucks, pizza on a weeknight. But something happens around a table that no sermon or bullhorn can replicate. Barriers drop, trust builds, and people start to feel like they belong somewhere.



Key Takeaways:

- You have to earn the right to be heard, and meals are how you earn it

- Eating together is biblical: Jesus did it, the early church did it, and it still works

- You don't always have to be the initiator. Say yes when someone invites you.

- Hospitality doesn't require perfection. Takeout, a picnic, or a shared lunch all count.

- Love without a required outcome is the point


Question for you to think about:

Who is one person you've been praying for that you could invite to grab coffee or share a meal this week?


If this inspired you to take a simple next step, share it with someone who needs the push. Drop a comment and tell us about a meal that changed a relationship. Subscribe so you never miss a Midweek Motivation.


Series: The Wild Work of God (Acts 1-6) at Westside Community Church

Framework: BLESS (Begin with prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, Share)

Tool: Download the Westside app to use the BLESS tool
iPhone/iPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/westside-comm-church/id1479755097

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.pushpay.westsidecommunitychurchcc&pcampaignid=web_share

Scriptures referenced: Luke 5, Acts 2, John 6


SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1


Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give


Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx


#MidweekMotivation #BLESS #EatTogether #WestsideCommunityChurch #WildWorkOfGod #Evangelism #Hospitality #ChristianCommunity #SharingMeals #Faith