We keep track of all the visitors that attend New Hope each week. We consider a “visiting family group” to be from 1 individual to a family of five. In the 2009 year we had a total of 281 visiting family groups come through our doors. Obviously, some were visiting family from out of town because of a holiday, baby dedication, or special event, but the majority are within driving distance and are potential converts and new church members.

There were 86 visiting family groups in the Saturday night services, 60 visiting family groups in the Sunday 9AM service, and a whopping 135 visiting family groups in the Sunday 10:30AM service. In a day when nothing is traditional any more, seekers still choose to attend that 10:30 AM service over the other alternatives.

The 10:30 service is a mission field! On an average Sunday there will be two visiting family groups attend that service (last Sunday there were 7). These are people who have expressed an interest in our church, have never been here before, and are prime targets for what we say our mission is: To make disciples who make disciples. It also contains those who come back a second, third, and fourth time: great potential.

If anyone really wanted to make a difference in the Kingdom of God, that’s the service to attend and become involved in. That’s the service where needs are the greatest. That’s the service to be praying for.

Tags: church, evangelism