No time? No resources? No leaders?
After 9/11, President Bush challenged Americans to participate in a national candle lighting ceremony and to ask God for help to get through the tragedy. The response was incredible. Days later, I walked through my neighborhood and suggested to neighbors that we do something like this in our neighborhood as an evangelistic outreach and to show what happens when communities work together.
I first called men and women in my church who led Bible studies and got them on board. I then allied with a couple of women on the block who are the hub of information and networks. They directed me to the Moms in Touch group and introduced me to the PTA president of the elementary school. Through the PTA, I connected with the principal and significant businesses that donated money for the event. The principal led me to a group of enthusiastic teachers who helped me figure out the logistics of the event and introduced me to the junior and senior high principals, who also lent support.
One day I walked into the local junior high and asked if they’d like to help out. They immediately suggested I make an announcement to the entire school. This junior high principal also turned me on to the junior high PTA network. The president sent out a blanket e-mail that reached 80% of the parents of the junior high students.
Then someone connected me to the police and fire departments. We had the color guard. We had the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts all dressed.
This happened in a matter of 36 hours. Through this web of relationships, 1,300 to 1,500 folks came to this one event. The power of small groups to mobilize is an incredible force to find an unlimited harvest of leaders.
What did I do that is transferable to any small group ministry? Read more
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