Hospitality has increasingly become one of the most strategic evangelism assets to engage unbelievers with the good news of Jesus. The New Testament Greek word for hospitality (philozenia) comes from a compound of love and stranger—literally, love for outsiders.The Bible also mentions in Hebrews 13: “Do not neglect to show hospitality t strangers, for some have entertained angels unawares.” Yes, love the brethren, but don’t forget outsiders. Don’t neglect to love strangers as well.

Friends for Dinner provides an avenue for Christian hospitality. An initiative by local churches and Christians ministries, its goal is to connect families with international students to show Canadian hospitality and build friendships.

Friends for Dinner started in Ottawa with a few families and students, in 2012. It soon expanded to Montreal, Waterloo, Saskatoon, Kamloops, and Vancouver. Today, hundreds of international students in Canada experience a Canadian holiday meal (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) in the welcoming and homey environment of a Christian home.

Many students are blessed by such closeness and love—something they miss by being in Canada. The outreach creates natural opportunities for hosts to share their Christian faith without learning a foreign language, without buying a plane ticket, and not needing vaccinations. With Friends for Dinner, the mission field rings your doorbell!