Home Outreach Leaders Articles for Outreach & Missions 3 Fun Ways to Reach Out This Summer

3 Fun Ways to Reach Out This Summer

You have probably heard some of this before. You may have seen Steve Gladen talk about his street in a conference. Maybe you read Randy Frazee’s book, The Connecting Church. You may have bought the book 101 Ways to Reach Your Community by Steve Sjogren. But do you still wonder how to impact your neighbors with Christ’s love?

Here are three easy steps to get started impacting your neighbors this summer:

1. Draw Your Streets

What would you consider your neighborhood? Do you already have friends on your street? If you have a dog or like to walk for exercise, summer is a great opportunity to walk the streets of your neighborhood. As you’re walking, notice every house, car, swing set, pool, etc. Pray for the family who lives there and watch for opportunities to build a relationship with your neighbors. When you return home, draw your streets and place a square marking each home.

2. Place a Name on Each House

Begin to place a name and a description of how you can pray for the members in each home. You may have noticed a swing set; pray for their children. You noticed a business sign on a truck in their driveway; pray for their business. It won’t be long before you begin to build relationships and get to know a few neighbors by name. You may realize that you attend the same church.

3. Plan Parties

Have a dessert party in your home for your new neighbor friends. At this party, plan neighborhood parties that this group can host. Here are a few we have hosted: cookout, bonfire, can collection event for local food pantry, wiffle ball tournament, flower sharing event. The list is endless on ideas for parties for your neighborhood.

The parties will be opportunities to build relationships with more neighbors. Through these relationships, you will be able to impact your neighborhood by discovering needs, services, common interests, etc. These relationships will not end with the event, but open the door for you to be able to share Christ with your neighbors.

This may be your first step to impacting your neighborhood.  

Previous articlePaper-Cut PERSECUTION
Next articleIs Your Job Too Small?
eddiemosley@churchleaders.com'
Eddie is Executive Director of GroupLife at LifePoint Church, a multi-site campus in Smyrna, TN. He brings an infectious enthusiasm for people to experience life change as he guides the direction and strategy for Small Groups. Eddie has been invited to speak on the subject of discipleship and small group ministry at Small Group Conferences, Purpose Driven Small Groups, LifeWay Conferences, and Baptist State Conventions. Most of his speaking, as well as writing, centers on real life stories from personal experience. His passion is to help pastors and staffs develop a strategy to implement Small Groups in the local church. Eddie has written articles for SmallGroups.com and LifeWay Church Resources. He also serves as Area Point Leader for the Purpose Driven Small Group Network.