Outreach Ministry Resources
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes ..." (Rom. 1:16) Here are resources to help you reach out with the Good News of salvation.
Links to other sites will open in a new page to keep the list available to look at additional ministry resources. While seeking to choose sites and resources that are doctrinally sound, we make no claim to total endorsement of any listing. Where possible, we link to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track your activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales.
General
About the Gospel
Articles:
- Power of the Gospel & Church Growth
- Power of the Gospel, Not Entertaining
- Power of the Gospel, Not Swayed by What People Think
- Power of the Gospel, Not the Messenger
- The Gospel Touches Every Need of Our Heart
- What Does the Cross Plus the Resurrection Equal?
Books:
- The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Jerry Bridges
- What Is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert
About the Great Commission
Articles:
- Church Growth & the Great Commission
- God's Mission for the Church Revisited
- Going with the Message as His Ambassadors
- The Great Commission: Whose Responsibility is It?
- What's So Great About the Great Commission?
Miscellaneous Info on Outreach
Articles:
- 7 Reasons Most Churches Don’t Reach the Lost
- Are We Ready for Conversion Growth?
- Consideration & Compassion Pave the Way
- Gaining Favor Without Compromising Truth - How?
- How Bright Is Our Light?
- How Responsive is Your Church?
- Objective: Help Students Reach Out to Others
- Outreach a Priority?
- Outreach Ministry
- Outreach: Our Part, God's Part?
- Outreach Types of Spiritual Gifts
- Prayer in Outreach Ministry
- Results of Making Outreach a Priority
- The Church's Purpose to Love Is Expressed Through Outreach
- The Greatest Draw in Outreach
- What We Proclaim -- Jesus
- Why We Proclaim Jesus
- How To Proclaim Jesus
Books:
- Evangelism Explosion by D. James Kennedy
- Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry & Mary by Lee Strobel
- Organic Outreach for Churches: Infusing Evangelistic Passion in Your Local Congregation by Kevin G. Harney
- Organic Outreach for Ordinary People: Sharing Good News Naturally by Kevin G. Harney
- Outreach Ministry Manual - Turning the Spotlight on Jesus by Ministry Tools Resource Center
- The Complete Evangelism Guidebook by Edited by Scott Dawson
- The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman
Misc:
Outreach Organizations
Children/Youth
Ideas and Tools for Reaching, Teaching & Engaging Children and Youth (Teens) in Outreach
Articles:
Books:
- 52 Ways to Teach Children to Share the Gospel by Barbara Hibschman
- 52 Ways to Teach Missions by Nancy Williamson - for children
- Fresh Ideas: Missions and Service Projects by Jim Burns
- The Mission-Minded Child: Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God's Purpose by Ann Dunagan
- The Next Mile - Goer Guide Youth Edition: Short-Term Missions for the Long Haul by Brian Heerwagen
Resources:
Leaders
The Role of Church Leaders in Outreach Ministry - Fulfilling the Great Commission
Articles:
- Authority & the Great Commission: HE is "The Authority"
- Authority & the Great Commission: All Authority is His
- Disciplemaking: What Kind of Priority Should It Have for Church Leaders?
- Disciplemaking: Whose Responsibility is It?
- God's Mission for the Church - Church Leaders & the Great Commission
- Keeping the Focus on the Lord: Not Programs
- Keeping the Focus on the Lord: Not Leadership
- God's Presence: You're Not Alone
- God's Presence: His Adequacy Becomes Your Adequacy
- Variety of Articles Looking at Leadership Tasks & Responsibilities in Light of the Great Commission
Remember that the Gospel Makes a Difference in All Areas of Church Life
Articles:
- Building Equals Making an Eternal Difference?
- Dangerous Gospel?
- Decisions You Don't Have to Be Ashamed to Make
- Decisions Examined at Foot of the Cross
- God's Big Strategic Plan
- More Lessons about Strategic Planning from the Gospel
- Gospel Affects Even Our Finances
- Gospel-Centered Scheduling
- Job Descriptions Robbing the Cross of Its Power?
- Policies Shaped by the Gospel
- Policies Reflecting the Gospel
- Power of the Gospel & Church Growth
- Power of Gospel Gives Perspective in Change Management
- Power of the Gospel, Not Entertaining
- Power of the Gospel, Not Swayed by What People Think
- Power of the Gospel, Not the Messenger
- Staff Evaluations: Tied in to the Gospel?
- The Standard for Conduct
- Time Managed by the Gospel
- Tips for Gospel-oriented Time Management
Teachers
The Role of Bible Teachers in Outreach - Fulfilling the Great Commission
Articles:
- Do This, Don't Do That When Teaching Outreach
- FAQ: If we cram the Gospel down people’s throats, won’t it do more harm than good?
- FAQ: Why be concerned about outreach in a class full of Christians?
- Objective: Help Students Reach Out to Others
- Outreach Bible Studies Teachers Training
- Pray for Classroom Outreach
- Salvation Explained Through Romans Road Signs
- Teaching About Sin?
- Teaching About the Sufficiency of Jesus' Death over Sin?
- Teaching About Choosing Jesus Alone as Savior from Sin?
- Teachers Musn't Assume
- Teaching Believers to Reach Out
- Tools for Teachers to Share the Gospel
Books:
- How to Lead a Child to Christ by Daniel Smith
- Leading Kids to Jesus by David Staal
- The Faith of a Child: A Guide to Salvation for Your Child by Art Murphy
Resources:
Ideas
Community Outreach Ideas
Books:
- 101 Ways to Reach Your Community by Steve Sjogren
- Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News and Good Works by Ronald J. Sider, Philip N. Olson, Heidi Rolland Unruh
- Field Guide to Neighborhood Outreach by Group Publishing
- The Externally Focused Church by Rick Rusaw, Eric Swanson
- The Externally Focused Life by Rick Rusaw, Eric Swanson
Resources:
- The Externally Focused Life Kit by Rick Rusaw, Eric Swanson - (includes resources for children, youth, and adults - sessions, sermon outlines, printable lesson plans, etc.)
Curriculum & Bible Studies About Reaching Out
- Evangelizing the World Around Me Discussion Guides by Ministry Tools Resource Center
- Becoming a Contagious Christian Video Curriculum by Bill Hybels
- Organic Outreach for Churches Curriculum
- Organic Outreach Video Study: Sharing Good News Naturally
- Outflow by Group Publishing
- Share Jesus Without Fear, DVD Leader Kit
Holiday & Seasonal Outreach Tools
- Christmas (under 'Resources' tab on that page)
- Easter (under 'Outreach' tab on that page)
- Halloween (under 'Ideas' tab on that page)
- VBS, Vacation Bible School
Misc. Outreach Tools
Tracts
May God use you to lead people to a saving knowledge of Him through Jesus Christ. These outreach ministry resources can help you be a more effective witness but without the Spirit at work, people will not understand so most importantly pray and trust Him to work in people's hearts.
For More Resources on Outreach: