Taking Time to Hear the Hurt Behind the Silence
When a young man entered the service, he walked past without making eye contact. Emerge team member Connie noticed. As the team greeted the young men arriving at Upstate Evaluation Center, he seemed withdrawn and reluctant to engage.
The team had gathered to share God’s Word with about 55 young men. Throughout much of the service, his head remained lowered. Near the end, Connie noticed him begin to lift it. She felt prompted to speak with him before he left.
A Conversation That Changed Their Understanding
Connie approached him and began telling him how much Jesus loved and cared for him. As she shared a little about her own family, he began opening up about his. He was grieving the deaths of people he loved, including a very recent loss. What had initially appeared to be resistance was something much deeper.
“His heart was broken. He was hurting,” Connie recalled. Taking time for that conversation helped her understand what he was carrying. It also gave her an opportunity to respond personally, offering care and reminding him that God had not forgotten him.
Being Sensitive to the Person in Front of Us
Reflecting on the encounter, Connie spoke about the importance of going into these facilities to share God’s Word while remaining sensitive to what the young people are experiencing. A service brings people together, but each person arrives with a different story. Someone who seems distant may be carrying grief they have not had an opportunity to share. Listening creates space to understand and respond with compassion.
Connie described seeing the young man lift his head and believed the conversation had encouraged him. She was thankful for the opportunity to take that extra step toward him and show how much God cared.
Why Showing Up Matters
For the team, seeing hope in this young man made the weekend worthwhile. They had come prepared to minister, and this personal conversation became one of the meaningful ways that ministry unfolded. Their reflection was simple: God works in ways we may not anticipate. Being willing to show up, listen, and respond can open the door to an encounter that matters deeply to someone.
This is part of Emerge’s purpose in equipping, training and mobilizing believers for the work of ministry. We share the hope of Christ through His Word and through the care we extend to the people in front of us. We invite you to be part of this ministry. Whether you serve or give, you can help create opportunities for people to hear the Gospel and experience the love of Christ through personal care and connection.
Come serve with us. Be a voice.
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