Catching People AHI Style

    Jesus calls His disciples to fish for people. This applies every bit as much to contemporary Christians as it once did to the first of Jesus's followers. Yet many of us are hesitant to get into the "people catching" business.
    There are several reasons for this, but one of the main ones is that we simply don't know what to do. If we want to help catch people for the kingdom of God, what should we do?
    I'd like to offer a simple guide to catching people for Christ. It comprises three steps that all of us can take, and it comes in a form that you will never forget. All you've got to do to be a catcher of people is remember one kind of fish. It's a Hawaiian name. And, no, it's not the supposed state fish of Hawaii, the humuhumu-nukunuku-apua'a. That's a bit too long to remember. To get started in the ministry of fishing for people, all you've got to remember is AHI. That's right, Ahi, A . . . H . . . I. Ahi, as you may know, is the Hawaiian name for yellowfin tuna. But AHI is also a memorable and reliable formula for catching people for the kingdom of God. Let me explain.

A for Availability
    A is for Availability. The place to start catching people is being available to the Lord. All you've got to do is pray: "Lord, I am available to You. Use me to catch people for Your kingdom." Now if that prayer gives you the willies, you might pray this way: "Lord, I'd like to be available for catching people, but I'm pretty skittish about this. Help me to be truly available to You. Touch my heart, Lord, that I might be available today." Then watch as God brings people into Your life so you can help lead them to Jesus. He will do it, I guarantee you, if you are available to Him. So we start with A, Availability.
H for Honesty
    H is for Honesty. Sometimes we think that if we're going to catch folks for the Lord we need to be masters of theology, experts at communicating the gospel. But, in fact, all you need to do is to be honest with the people in your life. Be honest about your experience of God. Be honest about what you believe. Be honest about your doubts and fears. Be honest about your experiences at church, or in your small group, or on a mission trip. Simply tell the truth with an open heart. God will use your openness to draw folks to His kingdom. So we start with Availability. Then add Honesty.
I for Invitation
    Finally, I is for Invitation. Now I'm not using "invitation" in the technical sense, such as what evangelists offer at the conclusion of their message. I mean invitation in the ordinary sense of inviting folks to places where they can encounter the love and grace of Christ. Most obviously, you can invite folks to worship. Or to the women's retreat. Or the men's retreat. Or your Sunday School class party. Or the junior high group's "Not Quite Midnight." Or a mission trip to El Niño. Or . . . . I know this sounds simple, almost too simple. But I've known dozens and dozens of people who have become followers of Jesus through the ministry of this church. They first came here because a friend invited them, and the Lord did the rest through this church.
    So there it is, a formula for catching people that you can't forget: A . . . H. . . I . . . Availability . . . Honesty . . . Invitation. When it comes to fishing for people, just remember AHI! Not humuhumu-nukunuku-apua'a', but AHI. Sisters and brothers, you can do this! In fact, God has put His Spirit within you to help. You can be available to Him. You can be honest with those around you. You can invite folks to some context in which they can begin to hear the good news of God's love.