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by Alison Barrett with Colleen PepperIt was a weekday morning and the living room was full of women. I sat on a couch, mug in hand, watching the events unfold. One woman had just presented a craft idea, and a plate of goodies was rounding the room a second time. Then another woman shared how knowing Jesus personally had changed her life and how anyone in the room could have that same relationship. As she prayed, I gripped my mug a little tighter and silently rejoiced. Four women committed to live for Jesus-all over a cup of coffee. Amazing! Who would have thought the only tool you needed for evangelism was a coffee pot?
Returning home, I began to pray. Almost immediately I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to reach out to my neighbors in the same way. The idea seemed simple enough: host an informal gathering centered around a special activity, food and a brief talk about having faith in God.
I shared the concept with some Christian friends. Excited about its potential, they joined me to pray-asking God for the right location, the right date and time, and perhaps most importantly, the right woman to share her testimony. Over the next week, we compiled a guest list, inviting neighbors, friends and even some mothers of children in my son’s class. With the menu set and roles assigned-emcee, greeter, kitchen help-we continued to pray. We planned an ice-breaker activity, prepared comment cards and follow-up literature. Then with a week to go, we confirmed with our guests and planned our set-up strategy-deciding to do most of it the night before.
I was thrilled when 15 of the 30 women we’d invited came. Everything went smoothly. A friend shared her testimony and I led the prayer of commitment. Eleven guests made a decision to follow Christ and several even wanted to meet for a small group Bible study.
Afterwards, my team and I prayed and thanked God for the privilege of seeing women come to Him. We also prayed for each of our guests and planned to further develop friendships with them. Most of all, we counted ourselves blessed to have been used by God to impact our community. And to think it all started with coffee.
For a step-by-step guide on how you can host a party with a purpose, see Coffee Parties that Count
Alison Barrett has worked as a model and is the wife of veteran Canadian Football League player, Danny Barrett.
Reprinted with permission from Canadian Challenge, the magazine of Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada.
