At Middleville CRC the past two summers we have combined outreach, support raising for World Vision, and our love for coffee at the Middleville Farmer’s market. Each Friday a number of us set up a table where we give out cups of free coffee and tea to shoppers and vendors alike.
Our time at the farmer’s market has helped build relationships with local vendors and get our name out in the community. We have a few things for sale (ice cream, coffee bags, and fidget spinners) to raise money for World Vision’s well digging program. Giving free coffee and raising money for World Vision gives us the opportunity to show that we care for others in practical ways both locally and internationally. It’s hard to say no to a “cup of joe” and bringing clean water to people in need is something everyone can get behind.
While we hope to be an encouragement and support to others, we too have been blessed by the encouragement given by those who stop by our table. It has been wonderful to discover how many people in our community already support World Vision and other development groups. Every week we have people stop by and simply donate.
Being present and visible in our community has been one of our goals, even more so since starting the Church Renewal Lab. Many people that we meet at the market don’t know where our church is located.
The market has provided an opportunity to tell them both where we are and a bit more about who we are. It’s all about relationship building, being a welcoming and stable presence in the community, and showing love in practical ways to our neighbors. Please pray for us as we continue seek to be a light in our community and participate in the farmer’s market as one way to restore people’s relationship with Jesus and each other.
Comments
This is definitely a creative outreach tool!
We hope you would consider World Renew when looking for an international organization to support. World Renew does many water projects as well and the unique difference compared to many other independent Christian development organizations is that World Renew works with local church partners and has a history of doing so way back to the 1970s. Working with local church partners is a very important value for World Renew because the local church promotes a sustainable presence and on-going faith nurturing role far beyond the departures of international organizations.
Many international Christian agencies ultimately replace the work of the local church while World Renew is an agency that very effectively RENEWs and strengthens the work of the local church. Why does World Renew place so much emphasis on this? It is because the church is the “bride” of Christ and we seek to “adorn her” as much as possible.
There are many opportunities for CRCs to partner with local churches that World Renew works with overseas and research shows this has a significant positive impact on CRCs also connecting with their own local community. Staff from World Renew are eager to connect you....just a phone call or email away. Now is a great time for CRC congregations to reconsider how they connect in ministry.
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