Uber is a technology platform that allows users to schedule a car ride from A to B — all within an app. Now, it’s being utilized in a whole new way.

Jeff Hickman, pastor of Lifesong Church in Lyman, South Carolina, has always had a passion for evangelism. “I searched so long for what was missing in my life,” Hickman remembered. “One night, I was coming home from a party, and I knew there had to be more to life.” He asked God to show him who he was, and over the next few months, Hickman’s life changed forever. Nearly 30 years ago, he decided to pursue full-time ministry.

“While in seminary, I had a carpet cleaning business,” Hickman recalled. “I led 10 people to Christ during that time. I led one guy, who was a Mormon, to Christ in his driveway.”

Following Christ Where You Live, Work, and Play

In 2006, Hickman and his wife started Lifesong Church in their living room. “From the very beginning, the heartbeat behind Lifesong has always been to lead people to experience being fully-devoted followers of Christ right where they live, work, and play.”

Ministering Through Uber

When a friend of Hickman’s suggested he drive for Uber, he agreed there was an opportunity. “I don’t tell people I’m a pastor,” emphasized Hickman. “I don’t start the conversation. I’ll know I’m going to have a conversation if either they talk about God or if they ask me if I have another full-time job. And you’d be surprised how often both happen.”

“God is at work everywhere,” Hickman added. “If we could just be open to the possibility, we could be anywhere at any moment in time and be his hands and feet.” 

For Hickman, he doesn’t put pressure on himself every time he Ubers. The important part to remember is that only Jesus can save someone. “Before someone comes to Christ, there’s all of these circumstances that happen throughout their life. I’m content to be just a moment where God plants another seed.” 

Meeting Tangible Needs

Hickman had so many stories of encounters with God through Ubering that they were difficult to number, but one of his favorite stories happened in the early days of Ubering. “One lady couldn’t make it outside of her home because she was wheelchair-bound. I asked her if she needed a wheelchair ramp, and she said, ‘It would change my life! I’m a prisoner in my own home.’” 

Within no time, Hickman had raised $1,600 for materials and gathered laborers to build the ramp. While the crew worked, Hickman led the woman to Christ. “After that, I began to pray, ‘God, this is the way it should be. You’re at work everywhere. What if I sit in my car and ask you to lead me to who I need to share the Gospel with?’”

In the last year, 15 people have prayed to receive Christ in Hickman’s car. Every week, he has seven to eight people ask for prayer. Through Uber, Hickman has been able to minister to people in all stages of life — coming home from a cancer diagnosis, from jail, from the grocery store. He is writing all the stories down in journals for his daughters.

While Hickman is practiced at out-of-the-box evangelism, he believes everyone can become missionaries where they live, work, and play. “I hope God challenges people to experience what he’s doing.”