Here’s one wildly successful ministry idea that happened this summer:
Living Faith Indy, a church plant in Indianapolis, loaded a trailer with a riding lawnmower, some push mowers, edgers, blowers and brooms. The group prayed, asking God’s direction for where to begin, then hauled the equipment to a nearby neglected neighborhood near their church plant. They went house to house, asking permission to mow each home’s lawn for free.
As they approached each home, a different volunteer was assigned to ring the doorbell. After getting permission to work, the joyful crew meticulously groomed the yard while the volunteer lingered on the porch to chat with that neighbor.
As they moved from one house to the next, the entire neighborhood seemed to come alive. One neighbor played music; another brought some water to workers; children came out to help. The atmosphere was astonishing!
When the church group left, the block looked fabulous, and they’d made dozens of positive contacts. They played with kids, prayed for peoples’ needs, made friends and served joyfully. They’d invited every person to Sunday worship, and many promised to come. Only eternity will reveal the final results, but that church was so energized by the response, they’re now planning for different small groups to do the same project on various streets until they cover their community.
The last words of Jesus on this earth were these: “Go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19a). The first word of that verse indicates Christians are to tell others about Jesus as they go out. If we stay inside our church building, enjoying sweet fellowship and caring only for one another, we are missing a huge part of God’s command.
There are ministry opportunities all around you. The primary focus is to show God’s love, engage strangers in conversation, and invite them to know Jesus. No church or small group is too small, too old, too stagnant or too busy.
Make an intentional “go” plan for your small group or church. People nearby are waiting to hear God’s Good News.
© Diana Davis’s new book, “Across the Street and Around the World,” will be released this fall.