How to Find Believers and Engage Unbelievers Without an Existing Base

“We are not called to extract people from their context into our church culture, but to embed ourselves into their lives and neighborhoods, bringing the Kingdom with us.” — Steve Pike

Starting a missional community without a core group of believers can feel daunting—but it's also an opportunity to fully rely on the Spirit’s leading and truly plant the gospel where it is most needed. This guide provides a step-by-step approach for discerning, connecting, and cultivating a new gospel-centered community from the ground up.

Step 1: Start with Listening and Prayer

Before you do anything, start by listening deeply—to God and to the community.

Practices:

• Prayer walk your neighborhood regularly.
• Host listening conversations with locals (store owners, parents at the park, baristas).
• Ask:
  • Where do I see brokenness?
  • Where do I sense spiritual openness?
  • Who are the people of peace here?

Prayer and presence precede proclamation. We must earn the right to be heard by being faithfully present.

Step 2: Discover the Existing Believers

You’re likely not alone. God always has a remnant—even in the most unchurched places.

How to find believers:

• Attend community events and keep your spiritual ears open.
• Volunteer with local nonprofits—others on mission may be believers.
• Connect through local Facebook groups or neighborhood apps.
• Visit churches—not to recruit, but to discover Kingdom-minded allies.

When you find them:

• Invite them to pray with you.
• Share your vision.
• Don’t pitch a “church plant”—invite them to live on mission together.

Step 3: Embed and Connect

Your goal is not to host services but to embed Kingdom presence. That means cultivating relationships and showing up where people already are.

Ideas for embedding:

• Join a sports league, neighborhood group, or PTA.
• Offer to babysit for single parents.
• Frequent the same coffee shop and build relationships with staff.
• Start a simple rhythm like a weekly dinner or firepit night in your yard.

You don’t need a building or a band—start with a table, a grill, or a game night. Make space where trust and story can grow.

Step 4: Use a Simple Framework for Engagement

Steve Pike outlines a clear 4-phase relational process for gospel engagement:

1. Awareness – They know you exist.
2. Connection – They see you care.
3. Relationship – They trust you.
4. Spiritual Conversation – They’re open to Jesus.

Move patiently. Don’t jump from “Hi, I’m Dustin” to “Let me tell you about sin.” Let trust and spiritual curiosity develop naturally.

Read Post: The Only Way to Lead People to Jesus Who Don’t Care About Coming to Church

Step 5: Gather Around Jesus

As friendships grow, start gently creating spiritual rhythms. This might look like:

• Reading a Gospel story around the dinner table.
• Asking, “How can I pray for you this week?”
• Hosting a “Story Night” where people share their spiritual journeys.

Keep it low-barrier, high-depth. Don’t rush into programs. Create community, and let Jesus be the center.

Step 6: Multiply the Mission

As your circle grows:

• Empower others to start similar rhythms in their own networks.
• Train new leaders to disciple others.
• Always keep the DNA missional: people sent into the world, not just gathered in it.

Conclusion: Faithfulness Over Flash

Starting a missional community with no base might feel impossible—but the gospel spreads best from the margins. Trust that God is already at work. Your job is to show up, listen, and plant seeds of the Kingdom.

The church was never meant to be a destination—it is a movement of Spirit-filled people, sent into the world for its healing and salvation.

Want to start your own missional community? Reach out for coaching, resources, and tools to help you begin.