“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor
to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

~ Luke 10:36-37

Being the Neighbor

One of the most familiar parables in Scripture is the story of the Good Samaritan. When asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds not with a definition, but with a story; one that challenges assumptions, crosses boundaries, and calls us into compassionate action. The Samaritan didn’t just feel sympathy, he stopped, he saw, and he stayed with the one who was hurting. 

Two weeks ago, a group of youth and adult volunteers from our church traveled to Houston for a mission trip with Be the Neighbor, where we explored what it means to live out this parable in our modern world. We learned that being a good neighbor isn’t just about kindness in a moment of crisis; it’s about paying attention to the systems, structures, and stories that shape people’s lives. 

In Houston, we focused especially on environmental justice. We heard from local leaders about how climate change, flooding, and recurring hurricanes disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, those without the resources to rebuild, relocate, or recover. We learned how something as massive as a storm can lay bare inequalities that often go unnoticed. And we reflected on how our faith calls us to not only care for our neighbors, but also for God’s creation. 

Each evening we asked questions like: Who is lying in the road today? What forces have left them there? And how do we respond; not just as individuals, but as a community shaped by Christ’s call to love without limits? 

This trip was not just about helping; it was about noticing. It was about seeing people and places that are often overlooked and allowing our hearts to be changed. We return with a deeper understanding that Christian mission isn’t a one-week trip, it’s a lifelong practice of stopping, seeing, and showing up. 

As we enter a new school year and a new season of ministry, we hope to carry these lessons with us. And we hope you’ll join us for our Cereal Celebration and Backpack Blessing this Sunday, August 17. It will be a joyful, prayerful way to gather as a church family and bless students, educators, and neighbors alike. Come celebrate, connect, and recommit to being the neighbor, wherever you are.