Outreach Ideas
Outreach is usually thought of as going door to door, handing out tracts, and testifying about Jesus person to person. While this is necessary, outreach can be many things. Here are some other outreach ideas you can use to supplement traditional outreach programs.
Beverage Giveaway: Buy a supply of bottled water and/or softdrinks and ice them down on a hot, Summer day. In front of your church near the road, get a small team to offer the drinks to people driving or walking by. Be sure to have a hand-out attached to the drink that explains about Jesus, your church, a coming event, or whatever else you can print in a small, to-the-point fashion. Everybody likes free, and you can inexpensive reach a community with kindness while spreading the Word of God.
Community Fellowship: A more expensive idea, the Community Fellowship is all about preparing a meal and serving it, outside, to your community. It can be any sort of food that is easy to prepare, hot dogs or pizza for example. Don't charge for the meal, of course, and be sure to get the word out a couple of weeks before the date arrives. Enlist church volunteers to prepare and serve the meal. Have a registration table ready to take names and addresses, phone number, e-mail contacts, etc. Have small goodies for the children and outreach printed materials for the older children and adults. In the middle of the meal, have the Pastor welcome everyone, give a "short" testimony, and invite them to various events.
Area Wide Postcard Mailing: You can easily get a mailing list of addresses around you church from the local post office, or look on-line for a mailing service. Send out postcards to all the families simply telling them that your church is praying for the community and when the next couple of events are to be held. Be sure to include office phone numbers, website, etc.
Children's Fun Day: Depending upon the season and weather, you can hold this event either in a church gym or outside. Outside and in front of the church is better for high visibility. Rent various inflatable jump toys, set up carnival booths, and invite the area children to a free day of play at your church. Once more, registration tables should be up and running. Have plenty of adults at each ride/station/booth to assure safety. Rope off the area to help parents feel safer about bringing their children. This event could be held once per month and can help build relationships with community families.
Do you have outreach ideas? Want to list them here? E-Mail us with your idea and we'll add it!
