Sunday School Engages in Dynamic Outreach
43 in 2003! That’s the number of outreach projects completed last year by members of Aurora First Assembly, in Aurora, Colorado. The children, youth and adults emerged for ministry in a big way in their community. From preschoolers through senior adults, every Sunday School class was challenged to plan and complete outreach projects throughout the year.
"Sunday School is to Aurora First what Microsoft Windows is to a computer," says Pastor Gene Roncone. "It is both the operating system and launching pad for mobilizing our people to meet the needs of our community. We have found that there is no other ministry that presents a more convenient opportunity to disciple, nurture and mobilize small groups for outreach into our community than Sunday School. Without it, nothing seems installable."
The Sunday School outreach strategy is motivated by a church-wide vision:
Aurora First Assembly will be a church that is eager to accept God’s call to reach her city. Together we will be committed to Jesus’ command in Acts 1:8 and practice high levels of community support, service, and involvement in mobilizing our people in need-oriented evangelism.
Outreach Projects:
Here’s a partial list of outreach projects completed by children, youth, and adults.
•Veteran’s Home—took cookies and fruit to the Veterans home in Aurora • Aurora Medical Center—passed out Teddy bears to the kids in the hospital • Windshield Washer Fluid Outreach—refilled washer fluid for cars driving by on Alameda • Military Moms Outreach—planned a dinner for moms with husbands who are in the military • New Directions Family Center—handed out Easter Baskets to families at drug and alcohol rehab center • Denver Rescue Mission—took Bibles and men’s clothing to the mission • Skate Park—handed out bottles of Gatorade® with a connection card on each bottle • Elderly Woman Outreach–cleaned house along with doing minor repairs for an elderly woman in Aurora • Kidspree—a kids fair held in Aurora. We took many volunteers from our church to help run games and rides • Park and Ride—took breakfast danishes, breakfast bars and coffee to pass out to commuters • Brown Bag Outreach—made brown bag lunches to pass out to the homeless • Grocery Outreach—passed out bags of groceries in a Spanish-speaking part of Aurora • Cheer Laundry Outreach—passed out boxes of Cheer® at Laundry Mats and in front of King Soopers Grocery Store • Backpack/School Supply Outreach—passed out backpacks filled with nice school supplies to single moms and families in need • Children’s Shoe Outreach– collected shoes for kids going back to school who couldn’t afford a nice pair of shoes • Aurora Fire & Police Station Outreach—took baked goodies to some of the Police and Fire Stations in Aurora along with cards of "thanks" in honor of September 11th • Water Bottle Outreach—passed out cold bottles of water at the Gateway to The Rockies Parade. (an annual parade in our city) • Diaper Drive—collected diapers to take to our local pregnancy center • Canned Food Outreach—collected non-perishable food items for The Commitis Shelter • Homeless Blanket Outreach—passed out over 100 warm blankets to the homeless along with a bag of snacks and some toiletries • Thanksgiving Basket Outreach—donated many of the turkeys and trimmings delivered to needy families all over our city • Christmas Presents Delivered to Local Shelter—delivered Christmas presents to children, along with warm children’s coats • Youth Support a Needy Family–junior high Sunday School class took gifts and food to a needy family • Mitten/Glove Outreach—delivered gloves to those in need • Kids Christmas Coloring Book Outreach—delivered Christmas coloring books and crayons, along with other goodies to the children living at the apartment complexes on either side of the church
THANKS to Pastor Roncone and all the members of Aurora First for sharing their outreach ideas. May God bless their efforts as they continue to emerge for ministry.
