When I heard discussions about the need to witness door to door to our neighbors, I became concerned. Even though I preach and often share intimate thoughts, going door to door frightens me a lot.

A thought brought temporary relief from my guilt—my wife Lynne already goes door to door. Every Christmas season she prepares homemade granola and fresh bread for our neighbors and delivers them with a nice Christmas card. I thought that should be good enough.

One of the most effective places to witness is close to home. I could see Lynne forming friendships in our neighborhood, but was I? Sure, we walk our dog up and down the road and wave to people as they drive by. Occasionally, we even talk to some who are walking or are outside when we walk by, but was that enough? No, it wasn’t. I had to do something myself. I prayed for strength and asked God what I could do that would be enjoyable for me and for those who would receive a visitor at their door.

One morning an idea struck me as I made preparations to fly in my recently repaired, homemade airplane. Armed with my camera, I took off in the plane and flew toward our house. Flying down our street at 85 mph (1,000 feet above the ground), I took pictures of our neighbors’ houses.

Back at my home office, I prepared the pictures, burned them onto separate CDs, and put my business card in the CD package with my home phone number. I gathered Final Events DVDs and started out. I told neighbors I had just gotten my airplane back in the air after a major engine repair and to celebrate I flew down our street and took pictures of our homes. I explained they could take the CD to Wal-Mart and have a picture printed of their house. I also pointed to the business card and explained that if their family ever needed a minister, I was available day or night and lived close by, and pointed to my house. Then, I handed neighbors the Final Events DVD and told them I got a very good deal and wanted to give them a copy, too. No one refused either. Needless to say, they were surprised, and some offered to pay, which I refused.

Now as Lynne and I walk down the street, we know some neighbors by name. They have my card. They have the DVD. And they have an invitation to call me at any time.

I think when the snow is on the ground this winter and we have a pretty, sunny day, I may take some time off and fly down our street again. Perhaps when I take neighbors a winter picture, they will invite me inside and we can talk more about God’s beautiful nature as seen from above. When we talk about that, the door may also open to talk about God’s other Book. I know a bit about that as well.

Michael Nickless is the Michigan Conference communication director.