Implementing the ICE Strategy in Binghamton, N.Y.

By Rick Martin

The Carroll Street Ministry Center in Binghamton, New York is currently implementing the ICE (Intentional Community Evangelism) Strategy. The ICE weekend of saturation is August 17-20, 2006.

As a part of the preparation work, Freedom Fellowship, the church start at the ministry center has been prayer walking and doing community ministry. They decided to have a block party to once again give to the community a bit of hope and love. We called it a block party since most people seem to understand what this means.  Actually, it was a festival in the parking lot of our ministry center.  So far twelve people have accepted Christ and we are still following up on those who showed interest.

We did not do a lot of publicity. Our preparation included prayer walks in the community and turning up the Christian Hip Hop music before the event.  We also partnered with another church in our association.

We had a registration table where people had the option of filling out a form for a chance to win a prize such as Christian CD's and DVD's along with candy and a couple of beach towels. On this form they gave us their name, address, and telephone number.  They had the option of checking one or more of seven boxes with statements beside them such as "I would like to know how to have a relationship with God" and "I would like a visit from the church" and "Just came to have a good time."  Ninety-six filled out the forms and about fifty did not.  Twelve said they wanted to know how to have a relationship with God.  About eighteen wanted a visit from the church.
 
One side of the parking lot contained seven games manned by our partner church Living Water Baptist Church.  On the other side we had hamburgers and hotdogs cooking, and the popcorn, snow cone, and cotton candy machines manned by our own church, Freedom Fellowship. A revivalist from Tennessee gave a short message and invitation.  Some came forward and others accepted Christ where they sat.  One man handed out about twenty tracts as he mingled in the crowd.  Next we drew names from the drawing pot.  As a name was called they would come forward and pick one of the eight prizes they wanted.  The people started to thin when the food and drink ran out. 
 
Four from our church divided the forms into piles and we did our best to make sure each card would be handled appropriately.  As we visited, I can only say that leading the people to Christ was like picking ripe fruit off of a tree.  I am convinced that prayer walking had much to do with the freedom we experienced in sharing the gospel the next days. We have found that Memorial Day is a good day to host the festival. This was our second annual Summer Festival.

(Rick Martin is director of Carroll Street Ministry Center and pastor of Freedom Fellowship in Binghamton, N.Y.)