How Can Your Church Plant Connect With The Community?

Hey, church planters! Are you trying to think of ways to connect with your community? Let’s get into it!

Planting a church isn't just about finding a building. At the core, it's about becoming an integral part of your neighbourhood, showing God's love in tangible ways, and building lasting relationships.

So, how do you do it?

1. Engage With Your Community

Before you can help, you need to know what's happening. Talk to the locals, visit nearby businesses, and attend community events. You might be surprised by the needs and opportunities right on your doorstep. Pay attention to what's happening around you. Is there a need for community clubs? Are there kids hanging out with nothing to do? How could you help?

Partnering with existing community organisations like schools, charities, and local government is effective. They're already doing amazing work and can give you valuable insights.

2. Identify The Needs

Lend a hand at your local food bank, offer your time at an animal shelter, or help out at a community hall. Show your support for the existing local initiatives by donating to local charities, sponsoring a community event, or offering your skills to a local non-profit.

Why not create connections by throwing a party? Host a family-friendly movie night, organise a fun day, or put on a community barbecue.

3. Invest Where You Can

Relationships are the most important thing when it comes to Church planting! Here are some ideas to help you start making connections:

• Coffee and Conversations: Host casual coffee mornings or "meet-and-greets" to get to know your neighbours.

• Feast Together: Organise community meals to foster fellowship and share stories.

• Fun Day: Have a BBQ, family games and fete stalls such as face painting or ‘splat the rat’. Invite local families along a make space to chat. 

• Open Your Doors (and Your Homes!): Encourage church members to visit their neighbours, offer a helping hand, and build genuine friendships.

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Remember, connecting with your community is an ongoing journey. Be creative, be flexible, and most importantly, have fun!

4. Church Sports Camp: A Fun Way to Connect!

Who doesn't love sports? Hosting a youth sports camp is a fantastic way to connect with families in your community. Beyond the athletic skills, these camps provide valuable life lessons such as teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline, and perseverance. They create a safe and fun environment for children to grow and develop, fostering a sense of community among both the young participants and their families.

In addition, sports camps offer unique opportunities for discipleship. Coaches and volunteers can naturally weave in faith-based messages and role model Christian values throughout the camp experience. This creates a platform for meaningful conversations and allows the church plant to share the Gospel in a natural and engaging way.

How Breakout Can Help Your Church Plant

When you team up with Breakout Ministries, we will help you run a sports camp that shares and demonstrates the love of Jesus! Our team are ready to get stuck into teaching American-style games and fostering conversations about faith. 

It’s been an honour to help church plants connect with their community via our sports camps. We've witnessed amazing transformations – lives surrendered to Christ, new ministries born, and existing ones flourishing. It's been incredible to see the ripple effect, with people joining local churches and making commitments to follow Jesus.

One pastor told us, “It would have taken us a year to achieve in the community what was achieved in one Breakout camp.” That's a powerful testament to the transformative power of these camps!

Interested in learning more about how we can help your church plant? Get in touch today! Email our founder, James, at j.greene@breakoutministries.co.uk.