The Power of Being Present (Part 2): Approaching People with Childlike Curiosity
Homeless But Human
What can children teach us about listening? In the second part of our three-part series on “The Power of Being Present” Jeff and Anya are back to explore this question as we continue our conversation on the art of listening. In this episode, we will dive deeper into what it means to truly encounter someone with a childlike wonder. We will discuss what a 4-year-old in a grocery store can teach us about presence and how (without even knowing it) children’s natural disposition is one of reverence--a cherished virtue of formation at Christ in the City. Jeff and Anya will share how much we can learn from their simple but profound example and how missionaries learn to apply this virtue with the homeless and with their fellow missionaries. Through hearing wisdom gained through personal stories, missionary community life, and encounters on the streets, this episode will invite listeners to approach their own family, friends, or a stranger on the street with a new sense of reverence and child-like wonder. We will leave listeners with an invitation to apply this idea and try a creative “experiment” out on friends and family this Christmas. We are excited for you to try this with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinthecity.substack.com
About Podcast
We tackle the common questions and quiet hesitations that keep many from engaging with the poor—and offer practical, relational, and deeply human ways to respond. You’ll hear directly from missionaries, our homeless friends themselves, and those who’ve found that true friendship is the most radical form of charity.
What if the person you pass on the corner had one real friend—someone who knew their name, their story, and didn’t walk away? What if that friend was you?
If you’ve ever wondered what to say, what to do, or how to really help, you’re in the right place. This isn’t a podcast about quick fixes—it’s about slow, faithful love that changes everything.
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