Event Booths

Ministering in the Marketplace is as old as the Gospel. Jesus preached and ministered on the street and in market place. The Apostles took the Gospel to where the people were. Reaching out to people in the market place puts you in contact with souls you would have never met. What makes this effective is power of the Gospel and the anointing on those who take the Gospel to places where people gather.

In the task of convincing a person of worth of your cause, consider the metaphor of a dog and his three-part attempt to convince a man of his cause: the bark, the chase and the bite:

• The Bark - or attracting people to your kiosk. Face painting, balloon twisting, hair extensions is quite the bark.

• The Chase - sharing the love of Christ.

• The Bite - asking a person to commit to Christ.

Using Booths In Ministry

We are to interact with people in the marketplace, to touch them with the gospel of Christ. In an age of skepticism, having a booth at a community event can put you in the path of a great number of people who have no connection with your church. This could also open doors to witnessing opportunities. It is a non-threatening tool that can be used for ministry in a variety of ways. It can also give a sense of involvement and identification with the community you are trying to reach. Jesus set the best example of responding to people. He met their needs in unexpected ways with care and compassion. The greatest portion of His ministry was spent, not in a synagogue, but in the marketplace and on the hillsides, preaching, teaching, and healing. Christians should follow His example.

In cities and especially small towns, the local Chamber of Commerce, City Hall and schools plan festivals to celebrate holidays and local history. Generally, the event organizers want the involvement of schools, clubs, businesses and churches. Every group that participates adds value to their event. Often, booth space rental is available at a reduced rate or even free for a non-profit that can bring something desirable to the celebration. Face painting, balloon twisting, feather hair extensions and other services directed to children and families are always a hit.

It is no surprise that a significant percentage of the town’s population shows up for these celebrations. It makes sense for churches to take advantage of community events for the outreach potential.