Gatekeepers to the Community You Are Trying to Reach

When Jesus sent out his disciples two by two to the villages of Israel, he instructed them to look for a person of peace in that village who was willing to receive them, host them and give them a doorway into the community – and if they were unable to find one they were to shake the dust off their feet and leave that place. 

This is the same approach that Paul used in his church planting. In various places we see him meeting people early in his stay (e.g. Lydia, Aquila and Priscilla), and then using their home as a base of operations to the church plant – and those people of peace ended up as a core part of the church.

When you are planting into a new community, one of the most essential people to recruit to your team is somebody who is already part of that community, and ideally somebody who is well connected and respected amongst the people you are trying to meet. 

These people are gatekeepers. They will have the local knowledge to help you become familiar with the cultural nuances of the area. They will be able to show you around and let you know about things that are going on that you may not otherwise discover. They will be able to introduce you to lots of people and the very fact that they are with you will lend credibility to what you are doing in the eyes of local people.

If this person has a home in the community and they are willing to let you use it, then hosting your meetings there would probably be much more effective than using your own house. 

Who do you know that is already a part of the community you are trying to reach? Ask them to be part of your team.