Serving Christ Through Montgomery Area Churches

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13, 2016

The Church at Eastern Oaks

7505 Wares Ferry Road

Saturday, October 29
6:00 - 8:00 pm

Easternoaks.org

Five Ideas to Strengthen Your Harvest Festival

Many of our MBA churches are seizing the opportunity this fall to host an
evangelistic event from (or near) their church campus. This is a perfect time of the
year for you to express to your community, We love you in Jesus name! As you
are making your plans, here are five ideas that may assist in maximizing the results
of your valiant efforts:
1. Pray, Pray, Pray! We often get so busy in the pr epar ation of an event we
forget that prayer is not just part of the work, it really is the work. One thing I have
often done prior to the actual date of the block party is to lead the church in what I
have termed, The Jericho Prayer Walk. In simple terms, for seven intentional days,
have teams blitz the community in prayer, praying on site with insight. Let them
pray the resurrected Christ through the locked doors of humanity (John 20:19-20),
announcing peace in the neighborhood. Announce His victory as you see the walls
come down. I would be happy to send you more details regarding this and other
tools.
2. Equip the Saints! Often we fail to designate cer tain people to have the
specific task of sharing the gospel. Though everyone should see the gathering as an
evangelistic all hands on deck moment, you still need to raise up a particular
army whose strategic task is to walk the beat, pray with people, and clearly
communicate the truth of Gods hope through Jesus. Make sure the team is
equipped with evangelism training and tools such as the evangel cube, storying
cloths, or tracts, which they could leave with the person. They may also want to
use the 3 Circle Guide and mobile app which NAMB provides a 2-minute video
that clearly explains the gospel in English or Spanish load from your app life
conversation guide.
3. Gather Names! You can have a par ty. It can even be a gr eat success. But if
you dont gather data, you will have zero ability to follow up. Have registration
tables on all corners of the block party. To motivate registration, announce that
door prizes will be given through the entire harvest event (you can go to many
stores and get free coupons, etc.). The data information becomes a gold mine,
enabling you to build a relationship with the families who come your way.
4. Draw the Net! Remember your main task is to intr oduce your community
to Jesus. There may never be another opportunity, so seize the moment. Use the
door prizes and PA system as a way to get everyones attention, sharing the gospel
through many venues (in less than five minutes each time) over the course of the
event. Use media, testimony, drama, but always draw the net, inviting your new
friends to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Be strategic on how, when, and where
you feed the multitude. Draw the net around your biggest crowd, which is usually
when the food is served. A helpful hint: Use cheap plates and lots of baked beans.
You cant wander far on a flimsy plate with pork-n-beans. This will get the
participants seated while you share the best news this side of heaven.
5. Follow Up! Ther es nothing worse than catching fish and leaving them
unattended. If youre going to be a fisher of men, the work has just begun after
you put up the last table and chair from the event. Use the data gathered to do the
following to respond: Mail/Email, Telephone, and Visit (MTV). Then do it again
and again until you start seeing the harvest. Remember two things when it comes
to follow up:
* 90 percent of those who come to church will come on the arm of a friend, so
make friends.
* Worse than being lost is being lost and no one looking for you.
Let me know how I can best assist you nhughes@mgmbaptists.org or 271-6227.
Enjoying living my life on mission with you!
Neal

This years Trunk-or-Treat will be complete with games, live music, inflatables, and of course
PLENTY of CANDY. Well also be hosting our annual Chili Cook-off, so why not enter a pot of
Chili and see if youve got what it takes. If you dont want to compete, just come and eat!

305 South Perry Street

Forest Festival
October 31, 2016 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Vaughn Forest Church
8660 Vaughn Road
Montgomery
Features lots of candy and carnival
games, inflatables, free hot dogs and
drinks, popcorn, photo booth, and
hayride. The will be a designated area
for preschool activities.

Catoma Baptist Church

4300 Old Selma Rd.

The Montgomery Baptist Association 20 Interstate Park Dr. Montgomery, Alabama 36109 334-271-6227 www.mgmbaptists.org
This publication is made possible by your churches contributions to Associational Missions.

October 30
3:00 - 4:30 pm