Hi everyone! This is Dub Everitt, Outreach Pastor at Welcome Church. I'm jumping in on Steve's blog this week to share our exciting Autumn outreach strategy:
We're currently in the middle of a powerful preaching series titled "Loving People Towards Jesus." Throughout this series, we've been reminded that Jesus is passionate about reaching people who don't yet know Him—and He calls each of us to play a part in that mission. We are called to reach out in love, on His behalf, to the people around us.
In previous years, our church has hosted incredible invitational events like Fun Days, Firework Nights, Carol Services, and our special Invite Sundays. These "Hop, Skip & Jump" events connected hundreds of people to Welcome Church, with many deciding to explore faith further through Alpha or by attending our Sunday services.
This year, however, we're shifting gears. Instead of large invitational events, we're focusing on empowering each one of you to engage personally with the people in your world through a simple and memorable approach:
EAT, PRAY, LOVE
No, we're not talking about the book or the movie! These three memorable words are designed to help us all focus on a clear, three-step outreach strategy for this term.
1. EAT...
... at A Taste of Alpha and during our Autumn Alpha Course
This year, we're inviting everyone at Welcome Church to experience Alpha for themselves at a special event called A Taste of Alpha. It's a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a mocktail, watch an episode from the new Alpha Film Series, and discuss it over a delicious two-course meal.
This event gives you firsthand experience of what your friends will encounter if you invite them to Alpha. We've already seen hundreds attend, and if you missed it, there are limited spots available for Wednesday, October 2nd. Click here to book your place for 2nd October
Once you've experienced A Taste of Alpha, we'd love for you to invite a friend to Try Alpha on Wednesday, October 16th—the first week of our eight-week Alpha Course. Your friend can check it out and, if they enjoy it, they're welcome to continue for the remaining weeks! Click here to book for Try Alpha
2. PRAY...
... for your friends
Many of us have already made a list of three or more people we're praying for daily. If you haven't done so yet, take a moment now—ask God to bring to mind three people He wants you to pray for daily, and write their names down.
It's a powerful thing to remember that God not only hears our prayers but also moves in the lives of the people we lift up to Him. Before you speak to your friends about God, speak to God about your friends!
3. LOVE...
... your friends towards Jesus
Sometimes, sharing Jesus with others can feel like a daunting task. But perhaps a better way to think about it is this: Jesus has given us people to love towards Him.
During His time on earth, Jesus poured out love, kindness, mercy, and compassion to everyone He encountered. Now, He asks us to reflect that same love to those around us, showing them what His love looks like in action.
In fact, He's equipped us for this! As Romans 5v5 reminds us,
"God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us"
This promise is true for each one of us who follows Jesus—including you!
So, let's live lives of compassionate love and kindness towards the friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and anyone else God places in our path. Let's trust that through us, they will experience Jesus' love—and that this love will be a step toward their own encounter with Him.
Jesus is deeply passionate about our town and the people around us. He's placed you and me in their lives to be a blessing and a signpost toward Him.
Let's all commit to EAT, PRAY & LOVE this autumn, and watch as God does amazing things!
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