Ice Cream Truck Outreach
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, August 22, 2005
- Viewed 41
- (9) comments so far
They have a blog chronicling the experience, though it hasn't been updated in a while. But the blog does give an idea of the response:
Of course, most people were shocked that the ice cream was free. One lady was so blown away by free ice cream her only response was, "I gotta start coming to a church that gives out free ice cream."
In addition to the ice cream, they're giving out fliers advertising an upcoming movie night, which is a nice, non-churchy way for people to experience the church. It also sounds like they're filming part of the experience (though the best lesson from that story is that the person answering the phone at church knew what was going on).
On other topics... vacation is good... too good actually, so that I haven't wanted to take time away to blog much. Oh well, maybe later today. 
If you haven’t already seen it, here’s a great idea that I read about this morning over at ChurchMarketingSucks.com: Thanks to the USA Today tip, we heard about New Life Christian Church in Centreville, Va. and their ice cream truck. They spent $10,000 on an ice cream truck and have been driving around their community handing out free ice cream all summer long. Now there’s a way to get attention…
Comments
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chris on Mon, August 22, 2005
What a great idea. I love seeing churches that are intentional about outreach, and aren’t afraid to get out of the box.
Most churches today seem to want to sit back and wait for Willow Creek or Saddleback to be intentional about an idea before they act. It’s refreshing to see a church that’s willing to examine its own culture, and design something accordingly.
I’d be interested in the long-term success of this idea, and in their follow-up plan for people who visit their church just based on the novelty of their plan.
If nothing else, their campaign made me want some ice cream.
bernie dehler on Mon, August 22, 2005
Actually, it wouldn’t cost too much to give out frozen popsicles. At a local store here, we can buy them in bulk at about 5 cents each. Of course, they aren’t that great, but if you go into a low income neighborhood, the kids would really love and appreciate them.
The movie idea is also very good. You already have the church—just put a video on the big-screen… maybe work-up the community to get ready to see the “Jesus” video eventually.
...Bernie
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247
PJLR on Tue, August 23, 2005
Is this what outreach is about, giving away free stuff? My perspective on this is that it is a colossal waste of God’s resources.
Over and over again the polls, surveys and stats show that friendship is the one common component of effective evangelism. Let’s get back to doing what works! Find someone at work. Befriend that person. Genuinely learn to love them with no strings attached. Give them a birthday card, take them out for a cup of coffee, work out with them, help them move, give them a ride to the airport, baby-sit for their children so they can enjoy an evening out, bring over some chicken soup when they don’t feel well. Acts of kindness in this kind of context reveals who we are, not what we are trying to do to sneak people in through the back door.
Don’t be surprised if, when you are a genuine friend, your testimony and witness becomes more effective because it is being made in the context of love.
Stop giving away ice cream and start giving yourself away.
Steve C on Fri, August 26, 2005
I agree with PJLR. Why do we have to have an agenda? Why does it always have to be about us? We just end up prostituting ourselves as a church. There was an old saying that says, “what it takes to get someone it takes to keep them.”
How about giving the ice cream away with no other advertising about “your church”? Don’t put it on the truck, not in a flier, no movie night to “hook” them with….just ice cream! Or at least, drive around and give away the ice cream with a list of other good churches in the area that they could attend…that might be a little better. Or is your church the only church that is the best?
Why can’t we just do good…buy an ice cream truck if you want, hand out the ice cream, say God loves you and move on…but I guess the ROI (return on investment) wouldn’t cause the church elders to justify coughing up the $10K to buy the truck.
See we don’t have a problem with this since it came from the “Christian world”. But what if it was a mormon group doing this type of “evangelism”? Or a muslim group? I believe most here would be suspect as to their “real agenda”.
bernie dehler on Sat, August 27, 2005
PJ said:
“Stop giving away ice cream and start giving yourself away.”
That’s very insightful and important. I agree 100%, but also know that we can use our resources to influence people:
Luke 16:8-10
8"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
We must also remember that nothing is “free.” The money comes from donors. As good stewards, we always need to know our options. Personally, I’d rather feed the starving in the name of Jesus (see compassion.com) than give free suckers to kids who don’t need it.
Steve says:
“See we don’t have a problem with this since it came from the “Christian world”. But what if it was a mormon group doing this type of “evangelism”? Or a muslim group? I believe most here would be suspect as to their “real agenda”.”
Very good point. This applies to many topics, and I don’t understand why others don’t see it. Jesus said to do our good works before men. What do you want to be known for; giving away free ice-cream, or feeding starving people? What you do will determine your reputation.
...Bernie
http://www.freegoodnews.com
Rick Courtney on Mon, August 29, 2005
As I read this- Stop giving away free stuff was only followed up by - take them out and buy them coffee or a birthday card—Sounds like free stuff to me packaged a different way. I think this was an awesome idea- Reason being is most of kids probably will not be able to attend the church and will recieve the Word through tracs- the other thing is if you visited there website and read some of the responses- They had people who were unchurched start attending because someone was reaching out to their community- At this point is when the friendships can really be established. One other thing I would add (with a smile) although not biblical- The way to a mans heart is through his stomach—- Especially ICE CREAM! Butter Pecan preferably….
Bernie Dehler on Fri, September 02, 2005
Rick said:
“if you visited there website and read some of the responses- They had people who were unchurched start attending because someone was reaching out to their community”
That’s only one side of it. Each story has two sides. Any outreach has pluses and minuses. It would be refreshing to see a thorough analysis of all angles, instead of one-sided “amens.” As stewards of God, we need to do what is right, not just whatever’s the latest idea and sounds interesting. It may be that we need to do something more boring and usual, such as feeding the poor, clothing the naked, visiting those in prison, etc. That sounds like “dirty work,” doesn’t it… But it’s what our Lord Jesus told us to do… that’s how we are to let our light shine…
What we do for the least of our brothers, we do to Him… and He’s still there with Hands out asking for help…
...Bernie
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247
Rev Jay on Mon, September 05, 2005
Dollars and cents? If your ministry has or had a bus ministry in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s or even today and offered free rides to children and families to get to church, why not do the ice cream truck. Maybe planting a small seed will reap a large reward. Just be careful not to run anyone over and be extra sure your workers are working for the salvation of the masses. Rev Jay
Stephen Modawell on Tue, September 20, 2005
Steve Wrote: See we don’t have a problem with this since it came from the “Christian world”. But what if it was a mormon group doing this type of “evangelism”? Or a muslim group? I believe most here would be suspect as to their “real agenda”.
This is the problem… we as Christian are so concerned about others feelings and how we look and what they think we are up to…
This is why we are in the fix we are in… God has instructed us to be bold and to spread His Word… now we can not even say God in our schools…. WE SHOULD NOT have a problem with it being CHRISTIAN… nothing stops the Mormons from coming to my door… nothing stops Islam from spreading their evil around the world and if you think they just want to lead peaceful lives you need to study a little more….
The “watch out that you don’t offend anyone” is one of the most clever things Satan has working for him…. it is an excuse so many Christian use Not to win the lost… soul winning is uncomfortable because we don’t study enough to know how to defend ourselves…
but GOD LOVES EVERYONE… tell that to the giant who got a rock between his eyes!
My theory is… what ever it takes to reach the lost… and Ice Cream on a hot summer day is a great idea…
The Mormons have a free offer… The “Book of Mormon”… their Bible… a book filled with lies and half-truths…
Give me Ice Cream and an invitation to a church that shares THE TRUTH… THE LIGHT and THE WAY… any day! God Bless those who at least try and may he forgive the rest of us who make excuses not to share our faith!
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