Before We Preach, We Must Listen

Sometimes we forget how much can happen in a single day. In just a few hours, we can feed a hungry child, comfort a grieving heart, or give hope to someone who had already given up. It's incredible how many lives we can touch when we're willing to stop, kneel, and truly listen.

That’s what compassion looks like: not just preaching, but pausing. Not just quoting Scripture, but connecting with someone’s pain first.

Because how do you tell someone “God loves you” if they feel forgotten by everyone—including God?

How do you open the Bible to someone whose heart is too broken to hear it?

Before we share the Gospel, we must earn the right to be heard. That means listening without judgment. Asking, “What happened?” before saying, “Here’s a verse.”

It means giving a warm meal before offering a sermon. Holding their hand before pointing to heaven.

Only then can they begin to believe that maybe, just maybe, they’re not alone. Maybe God really is close to the brokenhearted.

Jesus did exactly that.

He didn’t shout from a distance—He touched the leper, wept with the grieving, and fed the hungry. He met people right in the middle of their suffering.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”—Psalm 34:18

“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”—James 2:15–16

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink... whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”—Matthew 25:35,40

At We Care, we believe that every act of kindness is a bridge. A bridge to faith. A bridge to healing. A bridge back to God.

That’s why we don’t start with a sermon.

We start with love.

And love listens first.