Who did you GIFT this week?
A Simple Plan to Help People Feel Loved

Paul Durbin • Lead Pastor
June 4, 2026

2 Minute Read

What is GIFT?

GIFT is a simple way to help Sundays at Belay continue to be welcoming and friendly.

Greet

Greet someone you've never met before.

  • If they're new, welcome them and learn something about them.
  • If they've been around a while and you just haven't met yet, introduce yourself.
  • If they came alone, offer to sit with them.

Introduce

Introduce people to each other.

  • Connect people who share something in common.
  • Introduce a first-time guest to the pastor or a leader.
  • Be the bridge between strangers and friends.

Follow Up

Follow up with someone you met recently.

  • Call them by name.
  • Pick up the conversation where it left off.
  • Invite them into your circle of friends.

Thank

Thank someone who did something you appreciate.

  • A simple "I love those songs!" to the worship leader.
  • A “that was delicious” to whoever brought breakfast.
  • A note of encouragement to a nursery worker.
Ask a fellow Belayer, "Who did you GIFT this week?"

Not many of us can do all four letters of GIFT every week. But if we each commit to just one a week (and ask each other about it) this simple plan can help Sundays at Belay continue to be a place of real belonging.

Based on an article by Karl Vaters, https://karlvaters.com/friendlier-to-guests/

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Who did you GIFT this week?
What is GIFT? GIFT is a simple way to help Sundays at Belay continue to be welcoming and friendly. Greet Greet someone you've never met before. If they're new, welcome them and learn something about them. If they've been around a while and you just haven't met yet, introduce yourself. If they came alone, offer to sit with them. Introduce Introduce people to each other. Connect people who share something in common. Introduce a first-time guest to the pastor or a leader. Be the bridge between strangers and friends. Follow Up Follow up with someone you met recently. Call them by name. Pick up the conversation where it left off. Invite them into your circle of friends. Thank Thank someone who did something you appreciate. A simple "I love those songs!" to the worship leader. A “that was delicious” to whoever brought breakfast. A note of encouragement to a nursery worker. Ask a fellow Belayer, "Who did you GIFT this week?" Not many of us can do all four letters of GIFT every week. But if we each commit to just one a week (and ask each other about it) this simple plan can help Sundays at Belay continue to be a place of real belonging. Based on an article by Karl Vaters, https://karlvaters.com/friendlier-to-guests/

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