Celebrate America with Patriotic Outreach

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Summer holidays provide great opportunities to connect

Mom, God and apple pie, right? Patriotism and traditional American values are very close to the Christian roots of our country. This summer, patriotic holidays can provide your church with a powerful spiritual connection to the hearts and minds of unbelievers. Strategize today for effective outreach this summer. Here are some great ideas to get you started!

Honor Your Heroes
Memorial Day brings with it the opportunity to honor those who serve protecting our nation, as well as those who have died defending her. This can include the military, but also all those in public service such as government, law enforcement and safety. Encourage the wearing of service uniforms and honor them all with a meaningful ceremony. Your sermon on selfless service, sacrifice and remembrance will be emotionally moving and will create a powerful, compelling portrait of Christ’s love for us.

Explore America’s Spiritual Roots
Has God blessed America? Yes, He has. Use the voices of the Founding Fathers to remind your church and community about America’s Christian roots. A message focusing on the way God worked with nations throughout Scripture will be a fascinating reminder of our need to depend on Him today more than ever. Assemble a historic and patriotic exhibit with the help of your local library, historical society or students from a local school. Promote the exhibit with a special reception following your service and invite both the community and local media.

America: The Great Cultural Salad
Celebrate the tapestry of America’s immigrant roots with a service focused on cultural diversity. A multicultural potluck, ethnic music and bilingual service elements can celebrate the dignity of the rich and diverse heritage of our nation. Focus your message on Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Even more than America, God welcomes all. Your local media will be likely to come out and cover this type of event.

Your Town USA
Don’t leave patriotism up to the government! Take the initiative to create a patriotic celebration for your town. Network with other churches and community groups to put on a patriotic concert, parade, carnival or other celebration for the people in your city. Tie the event into an act of community service such as a trash pick-up day, food bank collection, blood drive or 5K for a local hospital, AIDS center or other cause. Does your community have a big fireworks display? Sponsor a free “bounce house,” a soda and water station or have your worship team lead patriotic singing.

Barbecue Evangelism
Patriotic holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Day are natural opportunities for fun and informal gatherings like picnics and backyard barbecues. If your church is doing a great community outreach event like a patriotic concert or fireworks, encourage every member of your church to throw a pre-event party for their unsaved friends, family and neighbors.

Celebrate America
Moving patriotic choral music, a heart-felt multimedia presentation, the testimony of a war hero, the testimony of a newly naturalized citizen, or the Pledge of Allegiance led by a local Cub Scout troop—these are just a few of the creative elements that can be a part of a powerful patriotic service. How can it miss? Pray it, plan it, promote it!

Don’t shut down ministry because it’s summer. Take advantage of patriotic holidays and their many great, natural opportunities for outreach!

—From Outreach magazine, Summer 2002