Ministry at Fairs and Festivals

Sam and Betty Anne Schlegel

The phrase "resort and leisure missions" often conjures up  all sorts of exotic images for us. We tend to be captivated  by the mesmerizing glamour and prestige of ministries in  places like Gatlinburg, Vail, Waikiki, Lake Tahoe, and  Orlando. And in doing so we make the mistake of assuming  that resort and leisure ministries can only take place in  settings far removed from our local communities. The truth  is that some of the best opportunities for outreach in  leisure and resort settings exist right in the midst of our  own home towns, with persons who may even live nearby. Local fairs, festivals, and other celebrations are natural  places for people to gather. In fact, the ability of such  special events to attract crowds is the very reason that  some communities promote and host various "manufactured"  happenings. Even world-class resort settings use special  events to draw people to their areas. The nature of some major resort/leisure settings (location,  abundance of people, availability of housing, willingness  of persons to spend money, etc.) makes them places that  attract short-term happenings or activities such as fairs,  festivals, and parades, and even trade shows and  conventions. Of course, these events also take place in  other than "resort" settings. In certain places, a fair or similar event may even be what  gives a particular location its identity as a resort or  leisure setting, e.g. state fairs and annual heritage  festivals. In other locations, the fairs and festivals are  so much a part of the local resort/leisure lifestyle that  it is impossible to think of either one as a separate  entity. And in still other settings, the relationship  between the special event and the resort and leisure  community may be a coexistence that is only occasionally  peaceful. But in all these areas, fairs, festivals, flea markets, and  similar events present us with unique opportunities to  share the Gospel and make inroads into the community.  Anytime that people gather, there will be needs that cry  out to be met and occasions for Christian ministry.

A Sampler of Ministry Possibilities

Where? State fairs Regional fairs County/parish fairs Carnivals Rodeos Craft festivals Art/music festivals Community concerts Parades Heritage/ethnic festivals Frontier/pioneer days Seasonal festivals Agricultural expositions Seafood festivals Historical re-enactments Flea markets Antique shows Hobby conventions Trade shows conventions Industrial expositions Sports events Holiday events

To Whom? Visitors Customers Attendees Local people Participants Performers Exhibitors Employees Organizers Promoters Management personnel Concessionaires Security personnel Service personnel Families of exhibitors

Why Be Involved? To demonstrate the love of Christ and show the limitless  realm of God's concern. To build relationships through which the love of God can  be communicated. To share the gospel through verbal witness, Scripture  distribution, music, drama, mime, clowning, etc. To meet human needs and personal aspirations with  appropriate services and activities. To call out Christians to a life of active witness in  ministry. To establish an identity as a group that truly cares about  people, even those persons on the fringes.

How to Be Involved: Find out about the event — What's going on? Who will be there?Start at the top with "the owner" — the individual or group  that is in charge of the eventSeek additional information from: chamber of commerce,  tourist bureau, local government, etc. See what needs and aspirations exist: Where do people hurt?  What are they seeking? What is already being done for them? Envision ministries: How could we possibly help? Who can we help most effectively?

ORDER PRIORITIES ? CONSIDER RESOURCES ? DETERMINE MINISTRY FOCUS

How will we help? Assemble resources. Get commitments. Structure potential  ministry with quality and integrity.

Make commitments. Pay your way. Earn your place. Carry out promises. Do the ministry.

Be involved throughout the operation of the event: before,  during, and after.

Provide adequate follow-through: continued contact,  referral, and appropriate follow-up.

Evaluate and plan for next time.

Possibilities for Ministry

Booths/exhibits To distribute Scripture portions, literature, and  information on ministry activities. To provide opportunities for witness with other  exhibitors, as well as the general public. (Note: Christians who have products or skills that are  appropriate for a particular event should be encouraged to  participate as exhibitors. In fact, at those events where  restrictions might limit or preclude having a booth with a  religious theme or focus, Christian exhibitors would still  be able to provide an effective witness to the public and  to their fellow exhibitors.) See "Using Booths in Ministry," pages F-55 ff., for more  ideas. Parade Floats To provide a Christian interpretation of the theme of the  parade, as well as communicate involvement in, and concern  for, the community. Street Witness Through clowning, mime, magic/illusion, juggling, and  drama. Entertainment Through choirs, handbell groups, instrumental or vocal  ensembles. Rest Areas Providing a place to sit, possibly with alternative  refreshment like "a cup of cold water." Children's Programs Day camping, recreation, and similar activities. Supplemental Program Features Speakers, how-to clinics, dramatic interpretations and  presentations. Supplemental Human Services Chaplains, crisis counselors, childcare, housing bureau for  visitors, and so on. Supplemental Personnel Guides, interpreters, parking lot attendants, traffic  control, and set-up/breakdown/cleanup people. Temporary Relief Personnel Qualified "booth sitters" for exhibitors, etc. Hospitality Services Providing coffee breaks, messenger service, etc., for the  event staff.

Be Creative! Let your activities reflect the specific nature and needs  of the particular fair or festival at which you are  ministering. What someone else has done in another setting  may or may not work in your own situation. Remember, new  frontiers and new opportunities often call for new dreams  and new visions.

Adapted from resource material by Sam and Betty Anne  Schlegel. Copyright © 1990 Waterfolk Ministries. All rights  reserved. Used by permission