Q: I want to meet some Christians to befriend and fellowship with but what to do if you live in an area where hardly any biblical church and few are in the church? It is very hard to make friends people are very distant at my church.
A: note: So this answer is for the ladies but i added Men's link at the end, in case you are a male and find yourself in similar situation.
A: 😔. I understand. Some areas have small churches, and sometimes the only one biblical or closest to it. And others there only keep with friends they known from childhood, or similar-like that, ones who have sadly made a friend group where they dont want to add new people. Churches shouldnt be like that, but many churches have few actually saved in them too. It would be great if like in early beginnings of church where only true believers were in them, cuz they Christian-lovingly embraced & fellowshipped with everyone.
I know for some, online fellowship with believers you find may be the only current option, esp if you are experiencing the above or are new to a new country and no one speaks your language.
3 ideas: Churches & Christian colleges clubs near enough nearby. Or Evangelize and gain new friends thru salvations.
Are there an association of churches in your area? It is where your church is part of a protestant denomination and that denomination has a regional association of churches. You can ask your pastor. He should have or be able to guide you to a list. Perhaps you might be able to find some through that and you can meet up 1 or 2x a month for a fellowship with them. You might need to get a little courage up to go pursue that. But you could first look to see if those have a facebook church page, and browse the posts to see which ladies are active online posting and liking the posts you are drawn to. Then you can go look at their fb page for what they shared publicly to gauge if they are someone you might like to test a connection with by visiting them in person at the church. Find a few there online, then call or email the church to ask for a deacon or pastor to ask something about the members there. Tell him you are in a small church nearby but there are not many women your age who are friendly to fellowship with and had seen a few on your fb page who seem nice. Ask if he would mind introducing you to them on Sunday. He could either notify the ladies in advance or ask them to stay behind from pulpit anniuncements in service or if you go there at Sunday school if he the pastor or a decon to introduce you to those ladies. Then you could ask to meet up over lunch today or over coffee for a fellowship friendship chat. Then when you meet up let them know youve been praying for and seeking some Christian ladies to fellowship with since there are none at your church. You can tell them you are not necessarilly willing to leave your church at some point, but do want to make some Christian friends in the area. Let them know you are aware they might not be those ones and not pressuring ladies you just met. You know they have busy lives, probably kids or job or whatever, and even church friends. But if they are open to it you are also. And if not, pethaps they know of some Christian ladies in the church or in the area who they could refer you to, with advance referral. You would be open to starting a Ladies Christian Fellowship gathering group where we can meet up and fellowship. Which would help us get to know everyone and have a nice time together over snacks.
2. Colleges
Dont dismiss this idea and I'll tell you why.
Not only are these folk active in Christian groups but if yiu are older than them, their parents or adults in their church could be those they cinnect you with. And theybknow who are mature believers there and who are friendly and likely open to befriend a seeking believer like you.
There are colleges or seminaries where you can try to find some friends, and the seminary wives. But this has potential for them moving away. However their connections to churches with believing friends there could be how you connect with those who remain in the area cuz they live here. I would go about it this way:
Find colleges in your area. If there are no Christian ones, find a Christian clubs on secular campuses. There are some like prolife groups and young Christian leaders etc. How to find them? Pray first. Then go to the school website or share the gospel on campus and when you meet an actual Christian there, ask them where you can find a list of the Christian clubs on campus and the contact info. If they ask why just say you are seeking fellowship opportunities. That person might be led by God to you to help guide you or connect you to some people. If you are adult age you could try to befriend the seniors there but theyre likely to move away for jobs, so their connections in their local church is where you are really trying to get to. It will take time, but you will meet interesting people along the way. 😊
3. I know you are likely looking for same age-ish and "mature believer in the faith" ladies to meet with, but what if you share the gospel in your area and
*some ladies come to salvation and
* you disciple and mentor them while they also join your church?
*They could be a Ladies of the Word Fellowship Friendship group of sisters in Christ. You can study important Christian life matters in Scripture and Essential Doctrines. And meet 1x a week, and maybe 1 potluck gathering a month too. And even also 2x a month go out and evangelize together?
* The benefit of this one is you will know their beliefs because you are guiding them in doctrines and right living, so there's less likelyhood of conflicts here than the other listed options (earlier above). It just takes time to find people whom God will save. However, if you do this, God will bring people to you.
If you go through the online evangelism course or the book, you can get access to a private online evangelism group on fb and you can also ask if anyone is in your country, state, region. And connect with some of them irl too. *They come from various denoms & beliefs so you might want to be cautious as you get to know them. Some might just become evangelism town team partners and thats it. But thats ok too.
The below can help you as you start to pursue godly friendships among the brethren. God bless🤗
Sample letter or script to talk with pastor/decon
Evg beginners resources
Ladies new believers studies.
Men new believers studies.
