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Easter can seem overwhelming for small churches. There is always a push to go big and fill the seats for any of the holiday events. However, what if we changed the mission? What if we set out with the goal to simply sharing the gospel with our communities instead of focusing on a specific number? Churches of any size can do this. And small church ministries can do it quite easily. It starts with the perfect family-friendly event!
Rural Church In Minnesota Hosts Easter Outreach
This is what it looks like at our small rural church:
Our small church breaks the guests up into 3 categories based on age. We have a great time sending the kids out for the free egg hunt to 3 different locations best suited for their age group. (This is more of an egg roll as we “hide” nearly 2000 eggs on a very small lawn.) We have specially marked, colorful eggs they can find.
Once the hunt is over (it takes about 1 min) they return to our sanctuary for a presentation of the gospel. This has changed through the years, from the full resurrection set to a modified version to finger puppets to object lessons. Over 11 years, we have tried to make it a tad different each time.
Once the gospel is shared, we give a chance for kids and parents alike to accept Jesus as their personal savior. Then we REJOICE with a party. We call out our youngest group and allow them to do the cakewalk first while others play carnival games set up around the property. As kids win cakes, other kids fill their spots on the cakewalk.
If it’s warm, there are things outside like lawn games and other fun activities. If not (we are in MN), we fill our basement/fellowship hall full of Easter events.
Once all cakes are given out, and before we finish up the games, we draw for our grand prize. We give away a bike to a boy or girl in each age group, or we make a fun basket for the whole family. The games continue for the remaining time. This free community event can bring in 150-200, and is super simple.
Easy Steps For Your Small Church Easter Event Outreach Success
1. Choose A Day For Your Event (2-3 Months In Advance)
If you already have a special Easter Sunday service, plan a community event on the Saturday before Easter. Easter weekend can be a hectic time, but this allows your volunteers to have a fun time with their families on Sundays and still be able to help out on Saturdays.
Sundays are “church” days. Your community may be more likely to come to a community event over a “church” event. This doesn’t mean you can’t share the gospel; this just might be a great opportunity to meet your town where they are.
2. Decide What You’ll Do During Your Easter Event (2-3 Months In Advance)
This will depend on how many volunteers you have. Don’t be afraid of asking teens to help you. As long as the teens have an adult to supervise, this could be the perfect way to increase helpers.
Pair a fun egg hunt with Resurrection Eggs. Hide specially marked eggs along with the candy-filled (or toy-filled) eggs. Have your guests come inside for an interactive story following the annual easter egg hunt. Use the special eggs to tell the Gospel story. In exchange for the special eggs, give a prize (stuffed animals, big lollipops, puzzles).
Learn how to share the gospel at easter egg hunts.
Add Extra Fun To Easter Outreach
Add a special niche to your annual egg hunt. My small church did a cakewalk! We asked our community to donate spring-like decorated cakes and display them in the front. Kids walk around in a circle marked with numbers. When the music stops, the kids stand on a number. If their number is called, they win a cake. This is a huge hit, and by including bakers in our community, everyone gets to be involved in the Easter fun!
This niche can be anything special your planning team comes up with! (Easter bunny pictures, three-legged races, a pancake breakfast, family portraits on the lawn, or even live music!)
Create a free event that lasts 1.5-2 hours. Small carnival-type games (1 per available volunteer) can give a full experience while leaving the time frame up to the parents.
Give away a special prize. Whether you give away cakes, stuffed animals, or small trinket toys, add a special giveaway that families must register to win. Family fun baskets are a great way to make it Easter-themed. Be sure your registration involves a way for your follow-up team to, well, follow up. Include on your form a way for them to respond to the church. “Would you like more information about (insert your church name here)?” It’s a simple way to narrow in on guests looking for a church. If your budget allows, bikes are a big giveaway hit too!
Share The Gospel At Small Church Events
But most importantly … SHARE THE GOSPEL!
Don’t let this great opportunity go to waste. Set your event up and try to find ways to share the gospel. Read a story during a rotation, share the Resurrection Eggs (or the ‘Golden Egg’) with kids of all ages, or do a craft corner that shares the gospel on a smaller level.
Whatever you do, make this the most important aspect of your Easter event. Also, be sure that guests know when your Easter services are. Invite them many times and in many ways. Hand out flyers and announce them during the event and from the stage. Tell them you’d love to see them Easter Sunday as they leave.
3. Purchase Your Supplies (4-6 Weeks In Advance)
Be sure you know the shipping times on any of the supplies you may need to purchase. Different sites have different times, and it’s a good idea to make sure you have all your games, prizes, and candy-filled eggs in time for the event.
4. Collect Plastic Eggs, Filler Candy & Toys (1 Month In Advance)
Ask your church to donate the plastic eggs and filler candy/small toys. Place a basket or box in your entryway for people to drop off fun prizes. Remind your church often of WHY you are doing the outreach. You can also calculate how much these items would cost and request donations (“$5 will fill 24 eggs!”).
5. Start Advertising! (2-4 Weeks In Advance)
Start telling your church and town about a month in advance. Most people want to begin planning for their kids 2-4 weeks ahead. Put up flyers around town. Make them colorful and tell them all that you’ll be doing. Include your giveaways and special niches.
Advertise on social media for sale groups or community pages. Create an event on Facebook, so you can see how many respond saying they are coming.
6. Meet With Your Volunteers (2 Weeks In Advance)
What you plan to do will depend on how many volunteers you have. Teens make great helpers if an adult can be close by to help supervise. We create a carnival in our fellowship hall. This is such a fun tradition. There’s face painting and Easter activities. We have 1-2 teens run each game with a couple of adults who supervise the entire room.
These adults ensure conflicts can be resolved nicely, but they also interact with the parents in a friendly manner. Our adults can pray with adults, tell them about the church, or just be a friendly face.
Make sure the volunteers know their tasks, when to arrive, and what is expected of them while doing their tasks. Be sure to plan a setup and clean-up crew.
7. Plot Out Your Setup (1 Week In Advance)
Draw out your setup. Make sure there’s space for the games you’ve planned. Walk through how you’ll direct kids to get to each section of your event. Think about seating or space to move if large crowds show up. Create directions for walking that will create an easy flow and access throughout the common area.
Also, create signs blocking off areas you do not want guests in. (Create signs that say “No eggs hidden here” for a cute way to carry on the Easter-themed event.) Physically walk through each portion of your Easter event and jot down things you will need or haven’t thought through. Ask others to do the same, then compare notes. This ensures a well-organized and smoothly run event.
8. Pray Over Your Small Church Event! (All Along The Way!)
No amount of planning, organizing, creativity, or advertising will replace taking your event before the Lord. Ask Him how to create an event that will reach those in your community. Ask Him to help your small church do big things for the Kingdom. Pray that whoever God has called to attend this event will attend. (Then rejoice over who He brought in, even if it’s only 10!)
9. Do The Event!
A well-planned event may still have snags, but roll with it and keep trekking on. This is your chance to let your church share the gospel with your community. God’s Word does not return void. Trust that no one expects perfection; do the best you can and take a moment to see all the smiling faces!
Remember these things during your Easter event:
- Encourage your volunteers throughout the event.
- Take time to greet your guests. Have your pastor free to mingle with the guests as well.
- Announce your Easter Sunday services!
10. Praise God For Sending Who He Chose To Send!
This is part of the follow-up. Before you ever send out thank you notes to your guests, pause and rejoice in your turnout. This is not based on numbers. Remember your purpose for the event wasn’t a numbers game; it was to tell your community the gospel of Jesus Christ! If you did that, then your Easter event was a success.
So take a moment to praise God for sending who HE chose to send. Then send out thank you notes. (You have their address from their registration forms!) Send church info to those who requested info on their registration form. Then, tuck those addresses away so you can send them an invite for next year. (See why that registration form is so important!?)
Looking for a step-by-step guide to starting or restarting your children’s ministry?
Check out the Children’s Ministry Bundle For Small Churches!
Remember Your Purpose For Small Church Outreach
On Sunday morning, if not one guest from the Easter event shows up, resist the urge to be let down.
Focus on this:
- You shared the gospel with a group the day before.
- You showed your community that you care about them and their kids.
- Seeds were planted among the crowd that showed up,
- The journey has just begun.
Instead of allowing the enemy to bring you down, repeat step #10. Praise God for sending who HE chose to send.
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