STEPS TO PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL OUTREACH 

by U.S. Missionaries Ron Brand & Gary Ellsworth

In an effort to plan and implement an effective Outreach the following guidelines are important.  We must use our resources of time and money wisely.  The goal of our outreach is to win the lost and bring growth to the local church and awareness to the community of the ministry of the local assembly.  Following are the steps to becoming a target church and implementing a plan to starting your community outreach.

I.      Requesting an application for becoming a TARGET church from the Southern Missouri District Missions Director, Missionary Ron Brand or Missionary Gary Ellsworth directly or off the web.

2.     When pastor and people are ready to move to the next level, an on site visit from Bro. Brand and Bro. Ellsworth to evaluate what is happening and to meet the leadership personnel.

3.     After much prayer a plan will be given to lead in whatever direction seems right and possible; this plan will be submitted to the District Missions Director who will lend advice and direction. 

4.     After filling out the application together with good digital pictures, the Missions Director will approve the application.  Applications may also be determined by the financial resources available at the time.

5.     Once the application has been approved the first thing each church must do is to schedule a service with the District Missions Director, then conduct a mission’s convention if the church has not had one in the past 24 months.  Bro. Brand and Bro. Ellsworth will assist in this effort.

6.     After the mission service has been scheduled we can begin making plans for the outreach.  NOTE:  Plenty of time must be allowed for the printing of materials furnished by the District.  This may take up to 6 months.  Dates for the outreach cannot be set until the materials are printed; however Bro. Brand and Bro. Ellsworth will be working with the church in preparation for the outreach.

7.     Because of the importance of the Holy Ghost in our efforts the target church will conduct a Holy Ghost Seminar or a Holy Ghost revival.  Bro. Ellsworth and Bro. Brand are available for these services if you desire.

8.     An evangelism training course needs to follow the revival or seminar to prepare your congregation on how to share their faith.  This training is very important before going out in outreach. 

9.     After the evangelism training course is decided on and held at the church, then the pastor and missionaries, along with the disciples from that church, will decide together about which program to use for the follow-up care of new believers.  This MUST be in place two months before any physical outreach or events take place.  Two or three special services will be held, just with the disciples, for training in how we feel this should be done.  This will give the local church time to know the materials and decide upon a workable schedule.

10.   Once the date has been set for the outreach then we will solicit teams from the section and district to come in and help your congregation distribute the literature to your community and assist with other needs.  It is required that the local congregation and pastor be very involved in all parts of this effort.

11.   The district, as well as your missionaries, will be making a great investment in your community.  The district provides tri-fold brochures (2,000) free of charge.  The Light for the Lost Department provides the Book of Hope as available.  There may be funding from the district to provide for a special event following the outreach, if the church is not able support it.  Therefore we must use our resources wisely.  

NOTE:  Your Community Outreach ministry has teams available to help in outreaches such as: (Examples)   Drama Ministry with the Aaron and Jeanette Pack Team, Child Evangelism with Bryan and Vickie Dodge, Music ministry with the Howell Family, Journey To The Cross with Belton Assembly, Bro. Greg Forrester and the prayer ministry of River of Life Assembly in Sikeston intercessory prayer teams, teams to help distribute literature, etc.  

After the Outreach

After the outreach has concluded Bro. Brand and Bro. Ellsworth will continue to work with the church in areas of Church Development as needed.  Also, we will schedule a service with your church about every six months for accountability and to see if there are any other areas we may be of assistance with. It would be strongly suggested that as you have new converts and growth in the church that additional Church Development courses be made available to them.  Your missions workers will be glad to assist you with that. 

 

AG.org News & Information

  • Art is continuous confirmation of iVALUE truths

    The artwork of Ron DiCianni for the Assemblies of God and the iVALUE program were developed separately, but they are made for each other.

  • Bike For The Light embarks on second tour

    Johnny Kelley biked 10,000 miles through 16 states last year to raise money and awareness for Speed the Light. He spoke to more than 75,000 students and raised more than $10,000 and is planning for numbers to be even bigger this year. New tour begins in Dallas, Texas, on March 1, 2010, and will end at National Fine Arts Festival in Detroit, Michigan, this August.

  • HCM commits the month of March to restoring Haiti

    HealthCare Ministries is committing the month of March to getting medical teams into Haiti. HCM hopes to create a long-term presence in the country.

  • Jesus in America

    After being asked to lead the opening prayer for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Pastor Gerry Stoltzfoos was denied because of his refusal to omit Jesus' name from the prayer. Several recent polls express a majority of Christians in America do not consider belief in Jesus a requirement for eternal life. Zollie L. Smith Jr., national director of AG U.S. Missions, says these findings show a need for Christ-centered ministries in the United States.

  • Ministry continues, but devastation still taking toll

    As Convoy of Hope, AG World Missions and others work to provide relief to those suffering in Haiti, Calixte Fleuridor, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Haiti, tells of the trauma survivors are still experiencing.