BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
WALKING PARTNER EQUIPPING
Walking Partners are volunteers who build consistent, caring relationships with individuals served by Partners in Hope. It’s a simple idea with meaningful impact: one person choosing to show up for another through friendship, encouragement, and connection.
Walking Partners are matched with someone of the same gender and make an initial commitment of at least six months. That time allows trust and genuine friendship to grow. Many Walking Partner relationships continue well beyond those first six months.
As a Walking Partner, you’ll build a relationship through regular conversation and time together.
We ask you to:
- Connect each week. Check in by phone or text.
- Spend time together in person at least once a month. That might mean visiting at home, meeting for coffee, taking a walk, or spending time together in the community.
- Join Partners in Hope Fellowship Gatherings when possible. These gatherings offer another way to build relationships and connect with the larger Partners in Hope community.
- Listen and encourage. Your role is friendship and support—not counseling, coaching, case management, or solving problems.
- Stay connected with Partners in Hope. Check in with PIH staff whenever possible and participate in our quarterly equipping meetings.
- Commit to at least six months. Relationships take time. Six months provides the consistency needed for trust and connection to grow.
Click on the flyer link below for more details on what a Walking Partner is and how you can serve in this way! If you have questions contact us here.
DOWNLOADABLE WALKING PARTNER FLYER
Current Walking Partner Equipping Opportunities (these will be offered quarterly and we hope you can attend them four times/year to stay encouraged as you walk with others):
Lake Travis/Spicewood: Thursday, November 5, 6-7:00 pm, at Lake Travis United Methodist Church. Contact [email protected] to sign up.
Cedar Park/Leander: Thursday, November 5, noon-1:30 pm, at the Christian Resource Center. Contact [email protected] to sign up.
Hear from Our Current Walking Partners!
“I enjoy the Walking Partner gatherings as a way to invest in and develop relationships with individuals experiencing social isolation. It is helpful to learn practical skills and run through real-life experiences we might encounter. These equipping sessions benefit my personal growth as well!”
“Serving as a Walking Partner has opened my eyes to how significant relational poverty is. Everyone has a story, but you won’t understand unless you take the time to build a relationship. My Walking Partner is a great example; he’s very modest, so you won’t know his amazing story unless you ask.”
“Relationships take time, but they are where real impact happens. I’m grateful to be part of what Partners in Hope is doing.”
“I love that Partners in Hope isn’t just about volunteering for a one-time service project. Walking alongside someone as a companion is such a wonderful concept!”
“Scripture repeatedly reminds us that our neighbor is anyone who crosses our path. But love requires pursuit, since neighbors who need help often live in the shadows and out of our sight. Being a Walking Partner reminds me that Christ is with me in pursuit of love of neighbor.”
Equipping Resources:
Walking Partner Roles (PDF document)
Unexpected Connections by Matt Peacock
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend