Monthly Archives: February 2011

Some key elements to good community outreach is something that will invite or include the community, that will get them to interact with your church or church members, and will leave non-Christians with a positive impression (hopefully wanting to come back!). Outreach can take many different forms and but here are three specific things that would work for almost any community.

Host a Resource or Health Fair. Fairs can be inviting to the non-Christian community and a good chance for the church to serve. Generally they consist of non-profit and local services to have tables of information, free services, kid games and a free lunch. Churches are and used to be a central resource for the surrounding community to go to when they are in need. Through this event the church can be the medium for the community to connect with the resources. Some organizations offer free health services like hearing tests. To add some fun many local cosmetology schools will come out and do free hair or make-up for people. Another place to try for free service is massage therapists, who will give free chair massages to promote their business.

A great way to provide entertainment is to invite groups who perform to come. Parents will come to watch their kids and bring friends, its automatic audience. Some good places to look are dance studios, martial arts studios, local theaters, and cultural centers.

Host a blood drive. 95% of Americans will have been treated with donated blood or blood component by the time they are 72, estimated Blood Source. Congregations get excited and energized with blood drives because it’s easy, most people know and understand the need, and many already give blood. It’s a nice community outreach project because it doesn’t take much time and effort to set up, as most of the work is done by the center, like Blood Source, taking the blood. Congregants will tell their family and friends who usually wouldn’t step foot on church property, and can help break the ice. A banner and community fliers can be done to promote to the community, but the best promotion is the large, recognizable trailer that will be out. Be prepared that generally blood centers require a certain amount of donors signed up before they will book a date with a organization, check with the blood center for their requirements.

Pass out water bottles at bus stops. Passing out water bottles at bus stops is a excellent outreach tool because there is a need for it, especially in the depths of the summer heat, and it can connect your church and volunteers with people who they wouldn’t otherwise. You can also order custom water bottle labels to place on the bottles that have bible scripture, service times, or inviting them to another event the church is hosting.