By Rob Hansford
Why Am I Still Here?
Why am I still in the church, when so many of my friends from school are not?
It’s a question worth asking. Every person’s story is different, but when I look back, one thing stands out: I stayed because of influence — people who lived out their faith in front of me, and invited me into it.
My Story: When Influence Gets Personal
When my family moved to Sydney from Newcastle, we joined a small church. There weren’t many kids my age — our Pathfinder Club had just ten members, three of whom were my siblings.
But then came Ron Lamplough, better known as Lumpy.
- He took me to my first Rugby League match.
- Let me tag along to his job delivering paper bags.
- Included me in his indoor cricket team.
- Picked me up for church events.
- Made time for me.
Ron wasn’t just a great athlete (he represented NSW in indoor cricket and was an Australian Putt Putt champion). He was a Christian who lived his faith.
He was a friend, a mentor, a quiet influencer. And he helped shape my decision to stay.
The Bible Is Full of Influencers
Consider these moments of life-changing influence:
- Moses shaped Joshua, who declared: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
- Naomi’s faith led Ruth to say: “Your God will be my God.”
- Eli helped young Samuel recognize God’s voice.
- Mordecai reminded Esther she was called “for such a time as this.”
- Paul urged Timothy to “immerse yourself… so others may see your progress.”
Even Jesus, before ascending, influenced a group of young followers to go and “make disciples of all nations.”
What About Abraham?
Who influenced Abraham, the father of faith? The Bible tells us that his father, Terah, worshiped other gods (Joshua 24:2).
According to Jewish tradition (the midrash and the Book of Jasher), Abraham began questioning idol worship at a young age. There’s a story of him smashing his father’s idols after they failed to respond to his offering. He left only the largest standing, with an axe in its hands. When Terah challenged him, Abraham simply asked, “Why worship gods who can’t speak or move?”
Another tradition says Terah hid Abraham and his mother in a cave for ten years to protect him from a king who feared Abraham’s destiny. Later, Terah placed Abraham under the care of Seth, where he remained for 39 years. These stories, while not Scripture, echo the truth that real faith often grows through intergenerational influence.
Even Ellen White supports the idea that Abraham was spiritually mentored (Patriarchs and Prophets).
What the Research Says
Modern research supports what the Bible shows us.
The Fuller Youth Institute in California developed the Sticky Faith movement to help churches understand why some young people stay in the faith.
They discovered six key strategies in churches that keep young people engaged:
- Unlock Keychain Leadership – Hand over real responsibility to youth.
- Empathise with Young People – Understand their world instead of judging it.
- Take Jesus’ Message Seriously – Live a Jesus-centered life.
- Fuel a Warm Community – Build genuine friendships, not just cool programs.
- Prioritise Young People and Families – Back it up with action.
- Be the Best Neighbours – Encourage global and local compassion.
At the heart of it all? Intergenerational friendships.
Be Someone’s “Lumpy”
Ask yourself:
- Who influenced your faith?
- Who are you influencing now?
Start simple:
- Learn someone’s name.
- Ask about their life.
- Share your story.
- Listen without fixing.
- Be present.
It’s Biblical
“One generation shall commend your works to another…” – Psalm 145:4
“Teach these truths… so they can pass them on.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
“Let me proclaim your power to this new generation…” – Psalm 71:18
The call is clear: faith is meant to be passed on — through real relationships, love, and time.
Final Thought
You don’t need a title, a platform, or a program to influence someone’s faith.
You just need to show up.
So, who will you show up for this week?
