"What Works"
For outreach to be successful, the following is what has been found that "Works". The pastor must be visible and involved, the professional school staff will do what they have always done in providing a Christian education for the children so that they will have "Jesus in their heart", and the lay people of the congregation must develop relationships with the families that are relevant and lasting.
The compiled list presented here is the "beginning" of ideas that we at the District have gathered from conference calls, director's sharing etc. Most important, though, are the ideas that you, your staff, pastor, and congregations develop for your school and congregation. Please share with us.
1. Morning Coffee- once a month coffee and treats are served by congregation members to parents of the school.
2. Prayer Project- on a bulletin board visible to all is a photograph of each student with a self portrait drawn by a child (or a photo used with permission) and the child's first name on sticky tabs. Folks in the congregation can take these sticky tabs and pray for the child and the family. The children of the school could also pray for members of the congregation.
3. Kids in Church- each month there is something special from the kids of the school in church: singing, art display, making of book marks for the members, etc.
4. Thank You- at the end of the school year the children write thank you notes to the congregation telling what they have learned during the year and how much they appreciate the congregation having their school.
5. Folks from the congregation volunteer in the school to regularly clean toys and take care of the equipment.
6. Provide a large picture wall where families and congregation members can see what is happening in the school and congregation throughout the school year.
7. Staff Devotions- pray for a child and their family each day. Let the family know they were prayed for that day. This could carry over to congregation where members were prayed for and then informed.
8. Develop a creative note for parents at the beginning of summer. Share your passion for serving them. Leave them with a benediction and wish them well. Collect email addresses to stay in touch.
The Early Childhood Encourager 
