Community Outreach “How-To”

LOCATION

The location of a STOP & PRAY Community Outreach is extremely important. The grounds need to be accessible to parking, setting up tents, sound equipment, chairs, etc. We also recommend the location be near high traffic areas.

BEFORE THE EVENT

Before you begin the outreach, recruiting letters need to be sent to participating church membership. The first letter needs to be sent three to four months prior to the event. This letter should share the vision and purpose of the event; it serves to plant the seed in the hearts of potential participants.

A second letter should follow a month later inviting individuals to a meeting where the vision will be discussed along with other details and areas of need. This meeting allows for the exchange of dialogue and a chance to answer questions or alleviate any fears that a potential participant may have.

A third letter provides an overview of the outreach plan, announcement of leadership, areas of ministry available, etc. It should be sent one month prior to your Stop & Pray Outreach. A registration form can be included in this mail-out. Early registration warrants greater efficiency. If you have the resources, on-line registration may be an option.

One area we emphasize in the last mail-out is worker dress code. We summized a clear-cut dress code:

Females – Modest, loose-fitting tops, long pants or knee-length shorts, and comfortable walking shoes. No scoop or low-cut necklines, no tight-fitting clothing.

Males – Neat polo style, button up, or t-shirts, modest knee-length shorts or pants, and comfortable walking shoes.

Another tool to utilize in getting the word out regarding the outreach is via e-mail. We set up a database and every time a letter went out we also sent an e-mail with the same information. We found saturation with information produced good responses.

Last but by no means least, phone calls are an essential part of any ministry event. Canvassing possible participants by phone was an integral part of bringing volunteers on board.

Another venue used to inform the community of the outreach is through as many media outlets available. Send information relevant to the outreach i.e. vision, date, time, place, etc. to newspapers, television, and radio stations. Also printed fliers may be posted and left with many business owners and churches in the community. The strength of this kind of outreach, involving the participation of local authorities and businesses, helps improve the community through local grass-roots efforts.

LEADERSHIP INVOLVED

It is essential for the HOST PASTOR to have good, respected leadership as an integral part of the STOP & PRAY Community Outreach . We suggest that two senior pastors be TEAM LEADERS – coordinating the event activities and crews. These two pastors act as the overseers of all other leadership in the outreach and over all workers of the outreach. The host pastor is responsible for checking city ordinances and obtaining city permits for the outreach. Also, the host pastor should go out into the community, introducing himself to city leaders, police personnel, and local businesses.

Another leadership role is that of PRAYER TEAM LEADER . This person has two groups of people to watch over, INTERCESSORS and PRAYER PARTNERS. This leader will coordinate participants to make sure there are intercessors praying continuously throughout the outreach. This group will pray for those participating in the outreach, i.e. street volunteers, trackers, musicians, etc. This group will also pray over the prayer needs that are dropped off on request slips. Some people that have a prayer request prefer to leave their written need instead of staying for prayer. This team of people ensures every need is covered in prayer.

The Prayer Team Leader also designates mature Christians to “partner” in prayer for the needs of those that stop by physically, in lieu of dropping off prayer requests. These prayer partners are located under a small tent or shaded canopy. Under this prayer station the individual will not only find a safe harbor for prayer, but also a cold bottle of water to “refresh them in their time of weariness”. People that choose to be prayer partners need to remember that they are there to pray; not counsel. Also, we follow a steadfast rule – men pray for other men, women pray for other women. We leave no door open for the enemy. All prayers and prayer requests are always CONFIDENTIAL. If a prayer partner finds himself or herself in an uncertain situation they should graciously introduce leadership to resolve the situation.

A night of teaching should be provided for anyone needing training or teaching on prayer. This is essential for those who will engage the public. We recommend this class to all participants, but especially to those that have little or no experience. It is also a “refresher” for this type of ministry service.

The EVANGELISM TEAM LEADER works with the people who will be distributing tracts and prayer request forms on the streets at various key spots i.e. stop signs, red lights, and intersections. Some of these workers will also be stationed strategically along the way to the STOP & PRAY location. They will hold signs that read: “TIRED?”, “LONELY?”, “JOBLESS?”, “SICK?”, “DEPRESSED?” etc. These signs lead you to other workers with “STOP & PRAY” or “NEED PRAYER?” signs. All of these tools combined are designed to lead the public to the “STOP & PRAY” destination.

The EVANGELISM TEAM is rotated on and off the streets according to weather conditions, traffic volume, etc. They need breaks to rest, pray, eat and refresh themselves with fluids. We found that the praise reports that came in from the streets encouraged those that had not gone out yet or were working behind the scenes.

You should implement very strict rules for all of the teams, but especially those out on the streets. There should be absolutely no “horseplay”. We are there for the public to trust – our behavior should exhibit a reason to trust us. If there are lax times in traffic, use that time to pray. No one should ever leave a location without coordinating it with a team leader. Participants should not allow themselves to be drawn in to lengthy conversations with passerbys; focus on getting the prayer requests. No one should EVER walk off alone or away from his/her group. Communication is key.

This area of the outreach also needs to be addressed during teaching sessions. Again, this is for those that want to be a part but need a little encouragement and training.

The WORSHIP TEAM LEADER coordinates the bands, worship teams, sound equipment, electricity/generator etc. that is needed for continual Praise & Worship music for the duration of the outreach.

We suggest having at least three bands (worship teams, soloists, musicians, singers) to rotate times during the hours of the outreach. CD's can also be used, but continual praise and worship provides a very welcoming atmosphere for prayer. It is the Worship Team Leader's responsibility to schedule the rotations.

The worship bands should be located under a large tent on a modified platform able to accommodate musical equipment. It is the Host Pastor's decision to provide the needed instruments as well as sound, power, etc.

There should also be chairs located under this tent area so that people may come and sit to participate in the worship. Praise and Worship is played continuously during the outreach hours. Each participant needs to be responsible for his/her own belongings.

OUTREACH NEEDS/VOLUNTEERS

A CANVASSING CREW is a real priority to this outreach. This group helps to distribute fliers and posters advertising the outreach. These information fliers can be put in store windows, restaurants, church offices or foyers, information tables, hair/nail salons, next to cash registers – anywhere a store owner or manager will allow you to leave them. We recommend doing this approximately 4-6 weeks before the outreach. This team can continue its canvassing of the community until the day of the outreach.

In addition to the fliers and posters, you will need other printed materials: salvation tracts, prayer request slips, and follow-up slips. We found it convenient to have these items on hand 4-6 weeks before the event date.

The WORK CREW is a vital part of the outreach. These people are the laborers who tug, lift, tote, clean and set up. The work crew is responsible for traffic/parking direction, setting up tables and chairs, security and cleaning. They should be there early and stay late. This crew is absolutely critical to the outreach. This team should consist of people who have a heart to serve and are willing to do what is necessary for the successful completion of the outreach.

We found it extremely beneficial to use a TENT for this type of outreach. The tent is like an oasis of sorts. It provides shelter, safety, and also helps to draw attention to the outreach locale. Worship music is played from this area so it becomes a non-threatening place for the public to sit and rest. And after feeling comfortable, they are usually ready for prayer.

Do your homework, make phone calls and check many prices before deciding on a tent company. Read your contract carefully and ask questions. If you are renting a tent, the company is responsible for set up and disassembly. If you own a tent, the work crew would be responsible for it being set up promptly and correctly, securing and stabilizing it for the duration of the outreach, and the disassembly and safe return of the tent to its prearranged destination.

The use of several other canopy-type tents is good for other areas like prayer. Your Prayer Partners should be responsible for handling these. Also offered at these locations are ice-cold bottles of water. Very refreshing!

The HOSPITALITY TEAM serves all of the outreach participants. The head of this team is responsible for the lining up of workers, food and drinks at least two weeks prior to the outreach date. Included in this area of ministry are the small bottles of cold water specifically for those that stop & pray. This team gathers and prepares food for the workers. They serve meals, snacks, drinks, etc. for the workers as they come in on break. They keep chairs and clean sitting areas for rest and eating. They supply smiles and encouragement as well as food and drink. The HOSPITALITY TEAM makes sure that upon the end of the outreach the kitchen, eating, and resting areas are clean and ready for use again. Your goal should always be to walk in integrity; leave any place you use better than when you arrived.

GREETERS/TABLE WORKERS/MISCELLANEOUS AREAS are responsible for signing in all participating individuals. Each person working in the outreach should be required to sign in and register. General personal information and church affiliation should be noted. Then the volunteer can pick up his/her nametag and report to their designated leader.

Each registration form should have a section for a pastoral reference. This should be a priority as well as a requirement. It aids in keeping the outreach protected and guarded from anyone that may distract from its goal and intent.

Participants are allowed to rotate between several groups. They may volunteer on the streets for a few hours with the EVANGELISM TEAM and then go to the INTERCESSORY PRAYER TEAM. However, they are required to let their TEAM LEADER know they are leaving the group, and they must report in to the TEAM LEADER of the new group. This promotes worker safety.

It should be noted that you must be creative for your specific locale. We stationed several workers that kept post at a moonwalk. We found that by having a small area for children (not workers' children), people were more apt to stop and talk, listen to the worship music, and eventually go to a Prayer Partner. We utilized some of our older youth for this area. There are many creative ideas that could be applied to this part of the outreach.

STOP & PRAY SIGNS need to be placed along the highway at least 2 hours before the outreach begins. People may pass them several times before they actually pull in for prayer.

We recommend the use of three different sized signs. The first should be very large with STOP & PRAY printed on them and placed at the site of the outreach. These need to be visible and eye-catching to passing traffic.

We also recommend medium-sized signs to be placed along the roadway to the outreach. These signs are placed approximately 100 feet apart. It is important for them to be readable by passing traffic. As cars pass they may see: Sign #1 IS YOUR LIFE FALLING APART? Sign #2 NEED PRAYER? Sign #3 STOP & PRAY (with an arrow pointing toward the outreach location).

Thirdly, use hand-held signs on wooden stakes with different prayer needs listed on them: TIRED?, LONELY?, DEPRESSED?, SICK?, NEED PRAYER? These signs are held by some of the Evangelism Team members at the intersections as well as staked alongside the road. It is at these locations prayer request slips and tracts are also passed out.

We suggest name badges, orange vests and/or armbands to identify outreach volunteers. It helps leaders keep a watchful eye on their group and also makes them easily identifiable for motorists passing by or pulling in for prayer. Safety is a must.

OUTREACH DAY

Workers should arrive the day of the outreach at least 2 hours ahead of time. This keeps participants and leaders organized and focused. This extra time is used for prayer; setting signs alongside roadways; hospitality set-up for food and drinks; assembly of tents, stage, and chairs; equipment sound checks and registration.

The sound equipment and instrument set-up is the most time consuming project on the morning of the outreach. We recommend these workers get there early so that any problems that may arise can be dealt with in a timely manner.

Participants are assigned a leader at the point of registration. The Prayer Team leader has the responsibility of keeping up with the prayer requests turned in that day.

At the end of the outreach day the chairs are packed up, trash picked up, floors mopped, and restrooms cleaned. Again, we should always leave a facility better than when we arrived.

CONCLUSION

The STOP & PRAY Community Outreach is a tool to reach people through prayer, love, mercy and the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. With some willing leadership, volunteer workers, food, drinks, signs and a tent, a community can make a difference in people's lives. It is a non-threatening way to present salvation and hope through prayer. There is a place for every personality, from bold to shy, to serve. And when everyone does his or her part, the whole team brings glory to God.