Rock the Neighborhood

Because summer in Minnesota is the best time to touch the greatest number of people, several years ago we launched 'Operation Outreach', an all-church event on one Wednesday evening per month in June, July and August.

At Operation Outreach hundreds of outreachers spread out into our communities in positive and practical ways by washing cars, mowing yards, grooming parks, bagging groceries and picking up trash. “Kindness in Action” signs and yellow t-shirts identify workers as Living Word outreachers.

To encourage attendance we make the event fun and family friendly. Safe projects such as ice cold water giveaways at summer softball games are enjoyed by adults and children alike. Community public works departments are always happy when families help to weed and mulch their flower gardens. Free pizza with fellowship and testimonies afterwards insure an evening to remember.

Operation Outreach starts 30 minutes earlier than our normal midweek service to take advantage of more daylight. After a short rock band introduction, I briefly explain the schedule for the evening. Within 30 minutes we dispatch as many as 480 workers divided into 50 project teams out of the front door to “Rock the Neighborhood.”

Experience has shown that leadership recruitment and project planning are the keys to success. Several summers ago after completing a summer of Operation Outreach events, tornadoes struck our community causing extensive damage. Our experience with Operation Outreach helped us mobilize and equip storm cleanup teams within 48 hours. This brought a special citation from the Mayor’s office.

It is sometimes challenging to get congregates to minister outside the church. Designing an outreach event such as Operation Outreach around a theme that compliments your vision and appeals to different segments and motivations of your congregation may rock your neighborhood!