FIRST CONTACT Prospects Discovery Ideas
Develop a detailed plan for onging prospect discovery and ministry to families with young babies. Here are some resource ideas for finding and reaching young families.
1. Birth Announcements
Cut the birth announcement out of the local newspaper and place it on a decorative card (cover with clear contact plastic) as a keepsake for the family. Mail the announcement to the family. Follow up with a phone call to the family a few days after they receive the keepsake.
2. Church Events and Visitors
Encourage church members to submit names of families with new babies. Include in your prospect list families who visit during a holiday such as Christmas or Easter and non-church families with children enrolled in your church’s weekday program.
- Other church programs, such as parenting classes, day care, Parents Day Out, women's Bible study classes, language classes, or craft classes are great prospect starters.
- VBS is a source for prospects who have siblings which are 12 months or younger. Prospects gathered from these programs have already been introduced to the church and may just need an encouraging word to become active members.
3. Expectant Parent Fellowship
Schedule an expectant parent class or fellowship and invite health care professionals, nutritionists, and early childhood professionals to share their knowledge. Encourage different ministries to set up displays to supply information about their program and give parents a small gift. For example: the baby department could display toys, books, pictures, music used in Sunday School to teach the Bible message and give diaper bag tag or a small diaper bag imprinted with a church logo.
4. Grandparenting Seminar
Conduct a seminar for grandparents who have responsibility for rearing their grandchildren. The seminar could feature the different aspects of grandparenting, such as parenting your grandchild, providing a home for your children and their new baby, or grandparenting long distance.
5. Adoptive Parents Support Group
Many private adoptions do not offer support groups or help in going through the adoption process. Enlist the help of parents in your church who have been through the process of adoption to give you suggestions for ministering to these families. Publicize the special events for adoptive parents in your community newspaper.
6. Community Resources
Look for a newcomers’ list published by your chamber of commerce. Fashion shows for mothers-to-be with clothes and accessories supplied by a local department store provide additional prospect opportunities.
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