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Using Community Events for Evangelism OutreachLearn to take advantage of existing community events, to share the Gospel and to let people know about your church. One of the most effective ways to get to know the members of the community around you, is to participate in the ongoing events already scheduled in your neighborhood. Pick up a copy of a local newspaper or the newsletters sent home by the schools in your community, and take a look at the community calendar. Volunteer to help with their event. Offer to run a booth at the community fair. Read to the children at the elementary school reading program. Visit the local civic association meetings and introduce yourself, letting them know that you are there to help. You will be surprised at how many events are already on the calendar. Building this kind of presence in your community may open doors for other types of ministry. In our case, we have been able to build relationships with public officials, who have actually endorsed our ministry, school administrators, who have allowed us to conduct church programs and after school Bible studies at their schools, and much more. Some of the events will be specific to the culture of the neighborhood. Look for ways to infuse the Gospel into the cultural atmosphere that already is a part of their lives. You don't have to reinvent the wheel!! Take advantage of what is already going on. Make their event better or find a gap that you can fill in the community. You can't lead people to Jesus unless you go where they are. So, get out there and get involved!!
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