More than 1,000 Christian volun-teers from 21 states traveled
to Salt Lake City recently to minister during the Winter Olympics.
And several of the lessons they learned can be applied to special
events in local communities, said Beth Ann Williams, director of Global Outreach
2002, the Southern Baptist ministry effort at the Olympics.
More than 1,000 Christian volun-teers from 21 states traveled
to Salt Lake City recently to minister during the Winter Olympics.
And several of the lessons they learned can be applied to special
events in local communities, said Beth Ann Williams, director of Global Outreach
2002, the Southern Baptist ministry effort at the Olympics.
“There are all kinds of festivals,” she related.
“Anywhere people are gathered and they are excited and they are open, its
the same principle, basically, of meeting people where they are.”
Williams offered three tips for churches looking to minister
at special events:
Look at what is happening. Nearly every community
has a local fair, festival or event that draws people together, Williams said.
The secret is looking around to see what ministry opportunities are available.
“Put yourself in your community where people are. Youre
going to meet people at things like that and make those contacts with people
who would never walk through your doors,” Williams urged.
Consider teamwork. Global Outreach 2002 worked
with a variety of other Christian ministries to maximize their efforts during
the Winter Olympics. Partners included the Salvation Army, the Utah Games Network
and Youth With a Mission.
“Its always harder to work together than it is just
to go off and do your own thing,” Williams admitted. “But working
together has a strong impact.”
Listen to event organizers. Approaching an event
with the heart of a servant will get a church ministry more success than marching
in with an agenda, Williams said. “Go to organizers and see what their
needs are. Are (they) going to have a lot of kids there? We can do balloon animals
or face painting. Are (they) going to have a lot of old people who will want
to sit in the shade?
“Listen before you just go in and lay out some plan about
what you want to do.”
Global Outreach Volunteer Associate David Buckner insisted
special ministry work is not brain surgery. “You figure out what works,
what doesnt and adjust.”
He encouraged Christians wanting to offer creative ministries
to focus on building Gods kingdom instead of their own.
“The goal is not to get people to church,” Buckner
added. “Figure out creative ways of simply sharing Jesus. … Meet needs
to earn the right to share yourself.”
Meeting needs will attract attention and get people to slow
down, Buckner explained. “Then, you do something eternal with that moment.”
Creative ministries typically result in quick encounters with
non-Christians, he noted. But a quick conversation will not be wasted if Christians
are ready and able to give a concise and clear explanation of what they believe.
“All of our tools and materials, when they are presented correctly, can
be presented in 30 seconds or less, …” he said. “We lean on the
verse that says, His word shall not return void.” (ABP)