I’m sure there are countless Baalei Tshuvah who are now frum today and their first experience was driving to someones home to experience Shabbos. I’m not saying that’s right….I just know that Shabbos in particular touches the SOUL more so than any other day of the week and that’s where alot of the beginning inspiration to becoming frum comes from. Most people new to the concept of “frumkeit” would not accept an invitation to stay over for a full Shabbos when you are practically a stranger to them.
If you invite them for Shabbos, don’t ask how they got there.
When they arrive at your door…open and welcome them in.
My family is involved in Kiruv and we’ve been zoche to pe part of 3 couples becoming frum…and I mean frum with shaitels…kids in cheder..etc. and there are countless others at our Shabbos table who are identifying more strongly with their Jewish identity and heritage, where as before they were so enmeshed in the secular world and now they at least will not consider marrying goyim (they would’ve before). Their beginning journey to Yiddishkeit involved spending alot of Shabbosim with us…the zmiros, parsha, dvar torah’s and seeing Jewish family life at the highest point of the week has made a great impact on them.
Hatzlocha Rabbah to all those in Kiruv. May we constantly strive to bring every Jew closer to Torah and Mitzvos.
(P.S. I’m sure my parents consulted a Rov on the Shabbos inviting)