First contact evangelism can be a key part of events week, allowing you to connect with students who might not have pre-existing relationships with members of the Christian Union.
Not only does first contact enable to gospel to be proclaimed publicly, it enables CU members to grow, and can be a catalyst for the events coming up in the rest of the day.
Team Dynamics
Think about how you can gel and envision first contact teams before, during, and after your outreach.
Before
Pre-outreach gathering: Before each first contact session meet as a team to discuss the theme you’ll be creating conversation around.
- Take time to consider the theme devotionally and allow yourselves to be reminded that Jesus really is good news in whatever the theme is. Spend some time praying.
- Get people familiar with the exercise you’ll be doing. Perhaps try some example conversations. What follow on questions could you ask people as they engage with the exercise?
During
- Pairs: Working in pairs is a great way of raising up leaders, helping those who are more nervous, and being able to model Christian community as you speak with students.
- Team care: Encourage the team to check in with one another between conversations.
- Late-comers: Make sure any people who join halfway through are well prepped.
After
- Post-outreach gathering: Gather to share and pray specifically after you’ve packed down. Encourage people to continue praying though the week, especially for any meet ups arranged off the back of conversations.
- Share stories: Think if there is a way to appropriately share encouragements from first contact at events week prayer meetings.