In this week’s Living the Five series, Mark Ordus, Director of WardStudents, unpacks the call to Extra-Mile Hospitality through the lens of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. With humor and cultural touchpoints—from Saved by the Bell to Chick-fil-A—Mark helps us see how natural it is to form tribes and circles of belonging, yet how radical Jesus’ teaching was to a people accustomed to drawing lines between insiders and outsiders. In a world where division feels sharper than ever, we’re reminded that our neighbor is not defined by proximity, similarity, or shared beliefs, but by anyone in need—yes, even those we’d rather avoid or consider our enemies. The Samaritan’s compassion went beyond convenience; he bandaged wounds, paid expenses, and promised continued care, modeling what it means to go the extra mile. Mark challenges us to imagine Ward Church as a place where every person feels like family when they walk through the doors, where hospitality isn’t surface-level but sacrificial, rooted in the love of Christ. Loving our neighbor is not a suggestion but a command—and when we see people as image-bearers of God, it becomes not only possible but irresistible. Let’s be part of what Jesus is still building.
Living the Five: Extra-Mile Hospitality with Mark Ordus
In this week’s Living the Five series, Mark Ordus, Director of WardStudents, unpacks the call to Extra-Mile Hospitality through the lens of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. With humor and cultural touchpoints—from Saved by the Bell to Chick-fil-A—Mark helps us see how natural it is to form tribes and circles of belonging, yet how radical Jesus’ teaching was to a people accustomed to drawing lines between insiders and outsiders. In a world where division feels sharper than ever, we’re reminded that our neighbor is not defined by proximity, similarity, or shared beliefs, but by anyone in need—yes, even those we’d rather avoid or consider our enemies. The Samaritan’s compassion went beyond convenience; he bandaged wounds, paid expenses, and promised continued care, modeling what it means to go the extra mile. Mark challenges us to imagine Ward Church as a place where every person feels like family when they walk through the doors, where hospitality isn’t surface-level but sacrificial, rooted in the love of Christ. Loving our neighbor is not a suggestion but a command—and when we see people as image-bearers of God, it becomes not only possible but irresistible. Let’s be part of what Jesus is still building.