You know that feeling when something just clicks? Like when what you love doing actually makes a real difference in someone else’s life? That’s what we’re talking about when we say, your passion plus their need equals God’s mission. When passion and purpose align, it’s that sweet spot where your church’s unique gifts meet the real, everyday needs of your local community.
The Apostle Peter nailed it when he wrote, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others…” (1 Peter 4:10, NIV). God doesn’t hand out gifts just for us to sit on or keep them inside the church walls. They’re meant to be shared and when we do that, we step into something far bigger than ourselves.
Asking the Right Question: “What Else Could We Do?”
Marcus Watson tells a brilliant story of how his church was trying to figure out what more they could do for their community. They weren’t in crisis, but they had this stirring sense that God was calling them to more. That’s a great question for any church to ask: “What else could we do?”
Maybe you’ve got people in your church who are great cooks, what if that turned into a community kitchen or food pantry? Got retirees with time and wisdom? Maybe that becomes a mentoring programme for local teens. Have a heart for those doing it tough financially? Local aid projects could be the right fit. The ideas are endless, but it all starts with listening to God and to your neighbourhood.
Proverbs 3:27 (ESV) reminds us: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.” If we’re able to help, why wouldn’t we?
Evangelism Gets Real Through Community Engagement
The mission of the church doesn’t always have to look like a formal programme or a massive event. Sometimes, the best kind of community engagement happens when we simply take what we love and offer it where it’s needed most. That’s where evangelism gets real, not just preaching, but showing people God’s love through practical, intentional service.
So, what’s your church good at? What gets people fired up? What breaks your heart when you look around your community? Somewhere at that intersection is a God-given opportunity waiting to be stepped into.
Let’s not wait for a perfect plan. Let’s just start with the passion God’s already put in us and match it to the needs we see around us. That’s how mission becomes more than just a church word, it becomes a way of life.
Listen to the Voices of Fire – The Ultimate Community Engagement and Evangelism Roundup.
Share your stories of evangelism on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn), listen to The WIN WIN Evangelism Podcast, or email us at team@evangelisminaustralia.com.
