7 Steps to Reach People at Easter: Impacting Your Community for Christ

Easter is not just one of the most significant celebrations in the Christian calendar but it is also something that many other people outside of the Christian faith celebrate. 

For this reason, Easter also provides a powerful opportunity for churches to engage with their communities, share the gospel, and welcome new visitors. Many people who don’t regularly attend church are open to visiting during Easter, making it a prime time for outreach. Here’s how your church can make a lasting impact this Easter.  

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#1. Start with Prayer and Vision 

Before making plans, gather your church leadership and congregation to pray for your community. Ask God to prepare hearts and guide your outreach efforts. Define a clear vision by providing some prayer points with scripture.  You can have prayer nights or early morning corporate prayer times and or create a document for them to take home challenging them to pray on their own. 

Here is a good question to help you start your prayer and scripture points: 

What do you want people to experience and take away from your Easter services?

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#2. Create an Engaging Easter Experience

People are drawn to experiences that feel welcoming, uplifting, and relevant to their lives. Consider these elements for your Easter services:  

- Inspirational Worship & Message – Make sure your service is engaging, Christ-centered, and easy for visitors to understand. Plan your message and songs as if no one there knows anything or much about the Christian faith.

- Family-Friendly Atmosphere – Offer a children’s program or Easter egg hunt to connect with young families. Egg hunts are fun for the whole family! We have experienced that doing this right after your service produced the best results. 

- Creative Storytelling – Use testimonies, visual media, or skit/drama to bring the resurrection story to life.  Use the people in your church to tell their story or ask volunteers for a skit/ drama. Research YouTube for testimonies or video aids to bring the message home. 

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#3. Utilize Digital Outreach

Most people check online before visiting a church. Use digital platforms to connect with your community:  

- Social Media Campaigns – Create engaging posts, videos, and event invitations. Encourage members to share them. 

- Church Website Updates – Make sure your Easter service times, location, and special events are easy to find.  

- Livestream and Replays – Offer an online option for those hesitant to attend in person. You can then replay your service that evening or later that week to have a greater reach. 

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#4. Mobilize Your Congregation

Your church members are your best outreach team. Encourage them to:  

- Personally Invite Friends & Family – A personal invitation is more effective than any ad.  

- Hand Out Invitation Cards – Provide simple, well-designed invites for members to distribute. You can use Canva, a free source, to help make these. 

- Share Their Testimonies– Have members post on social media about how Easter has impacted their lives.  

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#5. Plan Community Outreach Events  

Take the church outside its walls and into the community:  

- Easter Egg Hunts – If you do an egg hunt on a day that's not a Sunday then host one at a park or local school to draw in families. Have the invitations ready to hand out. 

- Serve the Community – Offer free groceries, a neighborhood cleanup, or serve at a local shelter. Do this before or after your Easter service. 

- Easter Block Party – Host a fun event with food, music, and an opportunity to connect with new people. Look for someone in your church who lives in the neighborhood and use their property. Also consider a cul-de-sac or a park in that neighborhood. 

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#6. Follow Up and Build Relationships  

Easter shouldn’t be a one-time event for visitors. Keep the connection going:  

- Welcome Newcomers Well – Have a friendly parking lot team, a welcoming greeting team, and offer a welcome gift or free coffee.  

- Gather Contact Info – Use digital connect cards or QR codes for easy follow-up. Make the information simple: name, phone, and email. 

- Invite Them Back – Send a warm email or text thanking them for coming and inviting them to a follow-up series or small group. Consider doing this on a personal basis using your staff or volunteers vs a mass text or robo call/text. 

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#7. Keep the Resurrection Message Alive 

Easter is just the beginning. Consider launching a new sermon series or small groups right after Easter that encourage deeper engagement. Invite visitors to join in growing their faith journey beyond Easter Sunday.  

By combining intentional planning, digital engagement, personal invitations, and community service, your church can truly impact lives this Easter. Let’s make this season a time where people experience the love, hope, and resurrection power of Jesus in a fresh and meaningful way.  

Are you ready to make an impact this Easter? Let’s go out and share the good news!