Mikey Ayala is a student at the Seventh-day Theological Seminary at Andrews University and host of the “Jesus on a Jon Boat” podcast. You can follow him at Instagram/YouTube: @lovemasfishing
I used to look at people having deep, life-changing conversations with strangers and think, “That's what I need to do.” But when people learned I was a pastor, they would become polite but distant, especially young people. They seemed to build a wall when they heard I was a pastor.
The truth is that many people feel judged or misunderstood by the church. It was hard for me to accept, but it’s a reality. So, how could I share Jesus with them when there was so much mistrust? That's when it hit me — on a riverbank with a fishing rod.
Fishing was more than just a hobby for me. It became my way of connecting with people who would never step inside a church. Something about fishing — standing shoulder-to-shoulder, waiting for a bite — makes conversation come naturally. No pressure, no agenda. Just like what is happening in the little moments.
One morning, I was finishing my fishing at the St. Joseph River in Berrien Springs, Michigan, when two college guys showed up to fish for steelhead. They had their gear, but I could tell they had not found a good spot. I was ready to head out, so I gave them mine — a place that had been working for me — and handed over the rest of my bait.
They were surprised. I could see it on their faces. Maybe it’s because most fishermen don’t give away their best spots. Many hold their “honey holes” tight, guarding them like treasure. But for me, fishing has always been about relationships, not competition. I'm willing to share everything I know if it helps me connect with others. It's a small act, but it can change everything.
We chatted about fishing and swapped a few stories. No deep conversation happened that day, but I could see a connection had been made. Respect had been earned. That’s what mattered. The moment wasn't about baptisms or a radical conversion — it was about planting a seed, opening the door for something more. One day, I believe these interactions will mean something even more profound.
I’ve learned that sharing Jesus only sometimes comes in big, flashy moments. It happens when we show up in life’s small, ordinary spaces. The times when we’re not preaching or handing out flyers but just being present, living life, listening and laughing. These are the moments that make a real difference.
Maybe you love fishing, or perhaps it’s something else — music, gaming, hiking. Whatever it is, use it. Those passions of yours are tools to build relationships. They’re ways to meet people where they are, in their ordinary lives. Don't wait for a stage, don't wait for the “right” moment. The right moment is right now.
Mikey Ayala is a student at the Seventh-day Theological Seminary at Andrews University and host of the “Jesus on a Jon Boat” podcast. You can follow him at Instagram/YouTube: @lovemasfishing
