If you think growing disciples is challenging and scary, consider the remarkably simple yet effective outreach members of the Stateline Church in Milton-Freewater, Ore., are doing.
Chris James is the outreach coordinator for the Stateline Church. Last year, James and a friend came up with an ingenious idea for an outreach ministry in their area. They selected nine major holidays on the calendar and began planning ways to share the gospel with passengers at the Walla Walla, Wash., bus transfer station on or shortly before each holiday.
After consulting their budget and the local dollar store, they decided to give small gift bags to passengers with a cheerful greeting like “Happy Valentine's Day” or "Happy St. Patrick’s Day.” Each gift bag contains two pieces of candy, a GLOW (Giving Light to Our World) tract and an ad for the local Adventist TV station.
“People are very receptive and happy to get a treat," says James, "and most are happy to hear the Word of God.”
Jesus is doing some wonderful things through this simple ministry. It has transformed the culture of the local church and moved members beyond the four walls of the church and out into their community. In addition, the outreach is achieving its intended results. So far the bus ministry has resulted in more than 60 Bible studies and one baptism, with more to come.
Every day, members, pastors, teachers, Bible workers and others like James are working together to implement Christ’s method of evangelism in Upper Columbia Conference.
Chris James (center) and her friendly team prepare to greet bus riders with holidays treats and the gospel message.
Stateline Church members fill small gift bags with candy and a GLOW tract.
