14. Provide free basic car services to single mothers and low-income families.
Set up in the church parking lot and enlist the help of skilled church members who know how to change oil, adjust brakes, fix tires, etc.
15. Start an adventure sports ministry with people who love outdoor sports.
Make it appealing to people of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Include activities like hiking, biking, rock climbing and white-water rafting.
16. Organize an outing to allow families to escape the heat.
Consider heading to the beach, the mountains or a lake. Provide a bus or help members arrange carpooling.
17. Turn your church campus into a mini carnival for dads on Father’s Day.
Hand out root beer floats, set up a “Dunk-a-Pastor” dunk tank and provide free photo portraits for dads and their families.
18. Hold a classic car show on Father’s Day.
Encourage fathers and grandfathers to bring their prize automobiles, and give out awards for the most impressive cars.
19. Hold a Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.
Model it after Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Advertise the event and take sign-ups. Award a prize to the winner.
20. Encourage your congregation to organize Fourth of July block parties in their communities.
If fireworks are legal in your area, provide free fireworks to the organizers of the parties.
21. Connect with your community by participating in a Fourth of July or other holiday parade.
One church found making a float and giveaways an effective outreach to more than 25,000 people.
22. Celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 16.
Set up a table at a local farmers’ market and serve ice cream—for free! Be sure to set out material on your service times, various ministries and upcoming events.
23. Organize a 5K/10K or similar run for your congregation.
Help your members get active by opening a running ministry or creating a team to run a 5K, 10K, half marathon and/or marathon at the end of summer or beginning of fall.
24. Host a family fun-fest on the weekend following VBS.
Take advantage of the momentum gained during VBS by inviting all of the families in your community to a kid-friendly event on your church grounds, complete with games, free food and inflatable water slides or bounce houses.
25. Shower your community with kindness.
Partner with Acts 1:8 Ministry to organize strategic random acts of kindness in your community, such as paying for commuters’ gasoline at the pump, setting up a free car wash, passing out water bottles at the park, etc. Along with your gesture, hand out information cards with your church’s address and service times.
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