ONE INVITE CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING

We met Jesus because someone told us about Him. The disciples invited their family, friends, and community to come and see Jesus - to see what life, and their life, could look like following Him. At it’s most simple level a personal invitation is taking the next step with someone to “come and see” what you’ve been experiencing at church, and in your personal relationship with Jesus. Many of us are in church today because someone invited us. During the Easter and Christmas Season research in America has shown that people respond surprisingly well to personal invitations to join others for a Sunday church service. As you consider who to invite and how to invite them please watch the short video above by Pastor Paul. Also, read below for additional information and help.

Step 1: Prayerful

We encourage you to be prayerful about who you should invite to Easter Sunday. Many times the Lord brings several people to mind immediately. Begin to pray for them. Begin to ask the Lord to soften their hearts. Even take 1 - 2 weeks to pray daily for them before you invite them. Throughout the New Testament we see that the Holy Spirit was drawing hearts long before an invitation was even made. How does this happen? The power and influence of prayer. Also, invite the Lord to show you who to invite to church. This could come in some surprising ways: a neighbor, someone in the grocery store, a business client, or even a family member who you never imagined. Stay sensitive to the Lord and believe for Him to do great things!

Step 2: Personal Invitation

As you’ve prayed it’s important to follow it up with the personal invitation! We encourage you to see this opportunity as a normal everyday conversation. Have one or two of our invite cards with you and hand it to the person you are inviting. Let them know you’d love them to join you for Easter Sunday (April 9th) and can save them a seat. Maybe even plan to meet them in the parking lot or go for breakfast beforehand. If you are serving in service be sure to let them know that too - mention sitting next to them when you are finished serving. As you step out in courageous faith watch what God can do in and through your invitation.

Step 3: Social Media Share

At Hillside we design our Sunday morning services to be places that are life giving and comfortable for new guests. We intentionally pray and plan our services with new guests in mind. It means the world that you would share one of our Easter or Sunday services social posts. Just one share has the power to make the post invite reach hundreds more people in our area. As you consider sharing one of our social media posts always be sure to put a sentence or two that makes the post personal. Here are some great examples:

  • “I’d love for you to join me Sunday at Hillside!”

  • “Shoot me a private message if you’d like to come to church with me this Easter.”

  • “Join me this Sunday at Hillside - let me know if you have any questions - I’d love to see you there.”