One of our desires as a BCNet Evangelism Committee is to provide collegiate directors with ideas for evangelism on their campus. We have provided ideas in four categories: First Contact, Conversational Outreach, Community Integration, and Gospel Proclamation. We hope that the following Community Integration event will be useful to you and your students!
MATERIALS
- 10 disposable (biodegradable) plates
- 10 disposable (biodegradable) napkins & eating utensils
- 1-2 entrees for 10 provided by a church group
- Salad for 10 provided by a church group
- Side dish(es) for 10 provided by a church group
- Rolls, rice or other starch for 10
- Desserts for 10 provided by a church group
- Ice water & cups for 10
- 3 Folding Tables placed together on the long sides
- 3 Table Cloths
- 10 chairs
- Serving utensils
- Hot pads
- Promotion Materials, Free Bibles available to take
We recommend including smaller gluten-free/vegan entrees and sides as well, unless you know all 10 students and you are positive none fit these categories. Vegan food contains no animal or animal by-products. Vegetarians can eat Vegan food, but Vegans cannot eat some Vegetarian food, such as eggs and dairy.
PRIOR TO THE EVENT
Student leaders find a weekly time to host an “ohana” (family) meal for 9 other students. You or a volunteer make a meal schedule and coordinate with churches to enlist small groups or individuals who prepare meals for 10 and drop them off. Every week, the student leader enlists 2 other Christian members to help host, and the 3 Christians invite 7 unbelievers to the meal. Before the event, clean and sanitize the meeting area and tables. Set up tables with tablecloths, chairs, plates, utensils, etc for the meal.
OTHER IDEAS
The idea of a family meal works best with homemade food, but sometimes church groups can host a pizza meal or other restaurant take-out food. Rather than hosting multiple Ohana Meals weekly, this can be done more sporadically or as 1 or 2 meals a week. Variations to full meals are breaks for 10 with desserts, ice cream with multiple toppings, or chips and dips.
DURING THE EVENT
The 3 Christian members of your organization should view the meal as if they are inviting guests into their home for a family meal. They prepare for, welcome, serve their guests, and engage them in conversation, helping them to feel comfortable, building relationships and asking questions to learn more about them and what they believe. As they do, they listen for common ground and places Jesus can be brought into the conversation. Hosts also invite guests to other activities their organization hosts.
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