How To Do An Easter Outreach

We have been doing an Easter outreach in Dayton, OH for a number of years. Each year the outreach seems to get better and better.

Last year we had over 100 volunteers and gave away over 15,000 eggs! This is more than your ordinary egg hunt. For many people it is the first carnival of spring. Each year we serve hundreds of Dayton kids complete with games, bouncy castles, face painting, crafts, hot dogs and prizes.

In Ohio, the weather can be bad even around Easter, but I have learned to lean into Jesus and look to His creative Spirit. He always shows up with a plan.

For instance one year we had the Giant Easter Egg Drive Thru. Wow! What a day that was!

Our special set up team arrived around 9:00 AM. We set up the Egg Stations, signs, unpacked the egg bags, ate some great Krispy Kreeme donuts, downed some coffee, and waited for the next team. Interestingly, we advertised the hunt to begin at 11:00 AM, yet people began to line up their cars at 10:00 AM. While I wasn’t really nervous, a sense of “Oh, boy! Now what?” began to drift into my head. I have learned when it comes to outreach, un-planned circumstances somehow increase my expectation. God is always faithful, and “where the Spirit of the Lord is there is fun!”

The Egg Drive Thru teams arrived and we went over our instructions. Have you ever tried to explain a concept for something you've never actually done before? What we were doing was a fluid, innovative, moving, morphing, and a learn-as-you-go type of idea. Who would have guessed that thousands of people would show up to an Easter Egg hunt in blustering wind that was blowing not snow, but sharp ice crystals?

We began moving the cars into the drive thru at 10:30 AM. The cars began to line up in a bumper to bumper fashion backing up past the entrance of the park down the street and past the entrance in both directions for over two blocks. That is a whole bunch of cars and most of the cars were loaded with people. Would 15,000 eggs be enough?

We found a great rhythm within less than thirty minutes. Cars pulled in. Egg givers walked to the cars, asked the parents how many kids they had, and reached out for the needed number of pre-bagged gift bags filled with Easter Goodies, and leaned into the car with a smile, chatting briefly and wishing folks to have a great Easter and inviting them to our place for a real Easter bash at one of special Easter Services the next weekend. Each bag had a flyer that briefly explained why we were serving them and included the needed maps and contact info.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement. We even had folks stirring the vibe circulating in costume, making sure everyone was having a good time. Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob, Winnie the Poo, a 6-foot giant Easter Bunny, Zowie the clown and Ronald McDonald even made an appearance. The Drive Thru lasted for 2 hours!

The key is to keep your banter friendly and positive as a leader. You want volunteers safe and happy, and to be able to chat with the people you serve. No matter how demanding the circumstances may be, you need to lean into God’s kindness and grace.

I admit during the drive through, I felt a little bit bossy, but I attempted to stay upbeat as I repeated, “Keep em moving.” The outreach was approaching a small army maneuver given the steady stream of traffic and movement of supplies. Our troops did a wonderful job!

Even in the midst of all the excitement, there was a sense of peace, fun, and encouragement. Our community loved the idea, kids were hanging out of the windows, pictures were being taken with Dora and the other characters, and grateful parents were relieved that they didn't have to stand out in the cold. There were many smiles and thanks, peppered with a few “you guys are nuts,” and a couple of “atta-boys” as people drove away.

Our team out did themselves in their positive serving and flexibility, willing to attempt something new and out of the box. I like great ideas that are just a little bit audacious. It actually generates fun, teamwork, and energy. The next time you are faced with a challenge, don’t focus on the obstacles. Instead seize the opportunity for innovation and a new, genuine form of serving and caring for your community in a way that can really make a difference.

Steve Bowen is the Evangelism Pastor for The Dayton Vineyard.

Article reprinted by permission from SERVE! by Steve Sjogren