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Finding GOOD Christian Friends: It's Hard-But We Can Help!

Writer's picture: Thad DeBuhrThad DeBuhr

Tired of searching for Christian friends and feeling like you're coming up empty?  It's like everyone else already has their tight-knit group, and you're stuck on the outside looking in.  


Believe me, I get it.  But what if I told you there's a different way – a place where you can connect with like-minded believers who genuinely want to build authentic Christian friendships?  


Keep reading because this is your invitation to a community that might just change everything for you! (And it has nothing to do with church!)


Finding Christian Friends is Hard

A few years ago, I stepped away from my job as a senior pastor of a local church when my wife and I set out on a journey to simplify our lives and follow God's leading to develop an out-of-the-box Christian ministry that was designed to go to people instead of trying to get people to come to a church building.  One of the hardest things about starting this adventure was knowing we were leaving some of our closest friends.  Kind of Ironic.  But the holy spirit is always at work, and it's as if God knew we needed to step out and experience a need for genuine relationships to build this ministry authentically.  It's certainly been a season of real-life spiritual growth for us!  If you want to learn more about my wife, Kaila, and me, be sure to watch our God story.

Learn more about how we met & witness our VERY "out-of-the-box" wedding!

In the meantime, what you need to know is this - God has been up to something amazing, and we want to invite you to join the journey!



Ever felt like you're navigating life with a faulty compass?


I'm notorious for getting lost. My wife affectionately calls me "navigationally challenged," and she's not wrong. I've led us on countless wrong turns, including a recent detour into Mexico that had my wife questioning my sanity. But amidst all my navigational mishaps, I've discovered a surprising talent: helping others find their way to the right people at the right time in their Christian Journey.


You see, while I might struggle with maps, I'm a pro at connecting people. I've guided countless individuals to discover this great community of other believers, and I'm here to help you do the same.


In the rest of this post, I'll share why the traditional ways to make Christian friends don't always work, how our ministry is different, and what some of our new Christian friends have shared about their experiences.


 

Roadblocks on the Traditional Path to Find Christian Friends


You've probably tried the usual routes to cultivate true Christian friendship:


  • Church Communities: While churches should be havens of fellowship, they can sometimes feel...well, clicky.  It's tough to break into a tight-knit small group of close friends that has been forming for years. And even when you do find your place, life throws curveballs. People move, schedules change, seasons of life shift, and those close friendships that once felt so secure can turn into old friends.

  • Bible Study and Small Groups:  These can be wonderful avenues for connection, but they often have a set timeframe.  Once the study concludes, the group disbands, and you're back to square one.

  • Volunteering: Serving alongside others is a great way to bond, but it doesn't always lead to a close relationship outside the service project.

  • Affinity Groups:  Christian Singles, men's groups, women's groups, mom's groups, young adult groups, or the over 50 clubs. These groups tend to draw people together around a common interest, which can be helpful when making friends.  But oftentimes, the friendships formed in these groups lack the same core values or deeper level of friendship that people long for.


Your Path to New Friends & Christian Community: Your Jesus Journey



Christian friends gathering for an annual meet-up in North Idaho
1st Annual Gathering of YJJ Friends, 2024

Imagine what would happen if we encouraged new people like you to start watching our Daily Bible Podcast and be open to connecting with other believers. What if we asked people to step out of their comfort zones and offer their time for a phone call, a Zoom meeting, or even an online chat? What could God do with a handful of like-minded people open to discovering the love of God AND finding a good friend?

We believe it would be a good thing!  In fact, we know it would be a good thing because we know there is a whole group of people who have discovered some of their best friends at Your Jesus Journey. It's a beautiful thing to witness, and it's something we see happening all the time.


In recent weeks, we've heard countless stories of believers joining our ministry and finding a sense of belonging. They often start by listening to The Daily Bible Podcast, where I teach the Bible in bite-sized chunks every morning at 6 am PST / 9 am EST.  People remark how much this daily podcast helps inform their knowledge of the bible. Tuning in daily also gives them a glimpse into the kind of friendship they might expect to find as they watch how we treat each other with joy and kindness. They participate in live chats, interact with other believers, and feel welcomed and supported.


Beyond The Daily Bible Podcast:  Journey Groups 


Journey Groups are small groups done differently.  You can learn more about what they are AND what they are not by clicking here 👇🏻




Our primary focus with Journey Groups is to connect you with other Christian men and Christian women who want to grow in their spiritual walk AND be friends in real life.  Thankfully, we live in a time where this is no longer limited to just people from your local church, neighborhood, or workplace.  


Recently a woman began watching the podcast, started commenting, and joined our private YJJ Facebook Group.  She shared how she was quickly connected with a Journey Group leader. This leader felt God nudging her to reach out, and soon, they were joined by other women who were also struggling with similar challenges. They found comfort and support in each other's company, and they've been able to learn and grow together.  This is just one example of the many incredible stories that have unfolded within our ministry. God is constantly working to bring people together, and we believe that we can play a role in that by opening ourselves up to be used by Him.


These past couple of years, we've watched people come to this ministry from all over the United States and Canada.  Some come with a sense that something important is missing in their lives.  Others find our Daily Bible Podcast online and love the down-to-earth teaching.  Many are here because someone invited them.  Regardless of how they found us or what they were looking for, it's been encouraging to hear testimonials like this one from Jerry in Michigan.


"I just wanted to share how blessed I feel since I found you. I am disabled and spend most of my day at home alone. I now feel like I have a new family and true friendship. There is always someone out there to talk to when I am feeling down.  Joining the Daily Bible Podcast every morning has also really helped me understand the Bible.  So, from my heart, I would like to thank all of you who have reached out to me, offered godly friendship, and made me feel like I have a purpose again.  And thanks for the nudge to join a Journey Group online!  I went, and I really liked it."


So, if you're tired of going it alone and you're looking for a community of Christian friends, we invite you to join us.


We're not trying to sell you anything, and there's no hidden agenda. We simply want to help people like you discover the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life connected to God and His people.


So, what are you waiting for? Take a step of faith and join us on this incredible journey.


Want some clear-cut steps?  Here are some ideas:



  • Maybe you're the type that loves to read reviews. What do other people say? I'm like that, so I can relate. Check out these testimonials, and who knows, maybe yours will be added to the page! Read the Testimonials (Scroll down on that page)


  • Or perhaps you're ready to jump-start your Christian faith by getting into the Word with us each morning on The Daily Bible Podcast.  Be sure to try your hand at the live chat before, during and after the broadcast.  People chat on FB and YouTube, but the YouTube chat is where most of the action is!.  


  • And last but not least, maybe you want to meet up and actually talk to a pastor. I don't know what your previous experience was like with pastors, but based on what others have shared, I'd say there's a good chance you'll be pleasantly surprised meeting with me. First of all, I'm available - you can click the "Book a Chat" button, see my calendar, and pick a time to connect. Second, I'm just a regular person. Third, I'm genuinely excited to meet you. By the way, if you're a woman and you'd feel more comfortable meeting my wife, Kaila, or meeting with us together, just mention that in the meeting notes when you pick your time.




Testimonial from Tim & Tracy about their YJJ experience.
Tim leads a Men's Journey Group and Tracy leads a Women's Journey Group

Whether you book a chat with us or just start kicking the tires and looking around, we're not trying to sell you anything, and there's no hidden agenda. We are wholeheartedly here to help people like you understand the Bible, find great Christian friends, and ultimately grow as disciple-makers - that's it. That's our whole secret plan - now you know.


You still here?


Good - go take a look around, join the podcast, and book a chat!


We want you here at Your Jesus Journey.



Members of the Your Jesus Journey Ministry
Just a few of the amazing people discovering great Christian Friends here at Your Jesus Journey

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EMAIL: YourJesusJourney@gmail.com

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Your Jesus Journey is an independent, non-denominational Christian ministry fueled by the generosity of its supporters and the dedication of Pastor Thad and Kaila. They've poured their hearts, time, and resources into answering God's call to partner with Him to build this ministry.

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