Outreach ministry is the practice of looking beyond the congregation to the people around the church and sharing the love of Christ by connecting with your local community.
Every church has the opportunity to reach out to the lost in their area but no single congregation can provide every type of outreach ministry. In His wisdom, God has uniquely gifted each congregation with those who excel in particular types of outreach. Church members are involved in telling others about Jesus Christ.
Essential areas of outreach include the following:
- Outreach ministries to the poor and needy
- Outreach to children
- Outreach to the incarcerated and their family members.
- Outreach to those who serve in the armed forces and their family members.
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”
Matthew 25:37-40
Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luke 14:23