Alyssa Bahnmiller – Fort Lupton, Colorado … As the Fort Lupton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fort Lupton, Colorado, has been praying for the Lord to direct their efforts in reaching the surrounding community with the gospel, a unique idea began to unfold: a Holiday Cookie Build event.
The event was held in the church’s fellowship hall on December 3. Its mission? To be a bridge between the sidewalks of the community and the church and connect families, community, and the church in a simple, unintimidating way.
The idea came from the church’s door-to-door efforts. At the beginning of his employment in early October, Fort Lupton’s Bible worker, Eric Bahnmiller, created a community needs survey with the intent of planning church outreach efforts that match the expressed needs of the community.
In his work, Eric has met many who are open to friendly, and even religious, conversation and who seem grateful for an opportunity to express their needs and interests by filling out the survey. He also offers prayer for those he meets. This work has provided the church with a list of interests, and some of the survey categories that scored highest in interest included bible studies, family-focused and kid-friendly activities, and a desire for a church family.
As plans were laid, recipes for “as-healthy-as-possible” cookies were selected and a holiday-inspired flier was carefully designed. The church members continued praying for this to be an opportunity to mingle with the community.
On December 3, work began early in the kitchen preparing eleven sugar cookie batches, eight gingerbread cookie batches, eight frosting batches, and two large pots of hot apple cider. The fellowship hall had already been beautifully decorated for the season and colorful Christmas lights were strung around the hall and entry door. Holiday music played softly in the background. Once the preparation was finished, organizers and volunteers gathered to lift the community in prayer.
As the community began to arrive, excitement filled the air. The children came to the kitchen counter with bright eyes to receive their personal-sized dough balls. The dough was taken to the rolling pin and cookie cutting station where they got to roll out their own dough and cut their cookies in a variety of shapes.
Once the cookies were cooked and cooled, the children took their cookies to the frosting and sprinkles station where their imaginations devised some of the most creative designs. While kids created cookies, parents and church members connected in meaningful conversation and sipped delicious hot cider.
Attendance included over 30 community guests, most of which were families with children. Every guest was someone who had already been connected with through personal ministry at their doorstep, with the exception of one mother with two children who was invited by her friend who has been taking bible studies from Eric at her doorstep. Some requested a tour of the church, and many began asking questions about church services and requested personal bible study.
“Personal ministry is far more efficacious than preaching in the saving of souls. When God’s people do personal work as He designs it to be done, the promises of Isaiah fifty-eight will be fulfilled to them.” 1
—Alyssa Bahnmiller writes from the Fort Lupton Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photos supplied.
1 White, E.G. (1902). Letters and Manuscripts. Volume 17, Letter 68, Paragraph 17.
