Physically, on the ground our week long mission looks like art exhibition and prize, accompanied with a prize night for the entrants, Fair Trade markets with cupcakes and coffee, live music at night, kids art workshop, playtime under the bridge and more! There is pretty much something for everyone!
BUT Spiritually, it is all about MISSION!
As much as I love art, cupcakes, coffee, balloons, bbq’s, and having our face painted I love Jesus more and am convinced He is worthy of all creations worship. I want to see more worshipers around the throne, worshiping the lamb, not just because I know the benefits they will receive in doing so, but more importantly because Jesus deserves their worship. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. All the outreach ministries of our church aim to glorify Jesus by gathering more and more worshipers of him.
I want to create places for smiling faces, where people can meet Christians, gain exposure to gospel community and hopefully encounter Jesus. As one of my favourite pastors John Piper, says “mission exists because worship doesn’t. And so with I ♥ Kirribilli, it only exists because worship doesn’t.
It might not look like a normal evangelistic mission… Its a week long program with only two spots where the gospel is shared formally – the prize night and the kids art workshop. We don’t have an the charismatic evangelist, Billy-Graham-type speaking to the masses. We aren’t going doorknocking, and there isn’t a youth rally.
Instead of just bringing in the ‘professional evangelists’ or thinking there just needs to be a formal preaching opportunity – the evangelism during this week is going to be done by each of you. We each have the treasure of the gospel and the power to share it. Sitting on the door of church welcoming people to the exhibition, giving them a peoples choice response slip, offering a free cupcake, sample of fair trade coffee gives you reason to be chatting and sharing your lives with people.
In many ways it is door knocking / walk up evangelism handed to us on a silver platter. It’s a lot less threatening for all involved, its natural, and its what church should be doing… gospelling people we meet.
We estimated 1000 people wandered through the church during the week, last year. This is just the opportunity we have with the many unchurched neighbours and friends who enter or view the exhibition. We get the opportunity to plant little gospel seeds into people’s lives, and perhaps see others or ourselves water, and God give these seeds the growth.
June 20, 2011
Guest Post by Maria Comino
‘Empowering The Poor’ Range Manager
from Care and Share
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