There are three basic approaches:

1. Ask the people that attend your church if they live in an apartment complex. If they do, then ask them to start a Bible Study in their apartment. They can invite the people in their complex.
2. You can drop in on managers and ask them if you can have activities (free of charge) for their people. Usually children's activities would be the kind of activities to start with.
3. You can send out letters to several multihousing communities and see if they would be interested. Barbara Oden's book (see the How to Contact Us For More Information page) outlines this approach in detail (including sample letters for you to send out).

You can continue to do the 3 steps above. Another approach is to canvass a community to find out the needs. Then when God meets that need, ask the manager if you can begin a "work" there. This works pretty well when your church meets a "benevolence" situation in their community.

Go to the pastor and ask him what the procedures are to start. In a small church, he may just tell you to start. In a medium size church, you might have to present the idea to the deacons, so that you can get some kind of a budget item approved. In a large church, you might get a whole "group" of people to help you from the very outset (groups like the WMU, CWT teams, Sunday School classes, etc.).

Keep the stories coming. Keep track (for a while) of the spiritual events that happen. You then can "prove" to your church that this is a worthwhile endeavor. Then ask for the pastor to have a service once a year that asks for volunteers.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THEM!!!! The biggest source of discouragement for the workers is usually that they think that no one cares about what they are doing out there. So, call the workers (or have their leader call them) every week.

Every week say things like:

• How was it last week?
• Anything special happen? Tell me about it.
• Can I do anything for you?
• How can I pray for you (and your family)?
• Thank you for giving your time.
• You are really helping the people there.
• Remember, the MAIN THING is NOT to teach (or whatever), but to reach the people with the Gospel.
• I know that you are making a difference out there.
• I think of you and your efforts every single day.

Also, multihousing ministry newsletters and workers meetings help.

You can have training sessions periodically at church. But the best way to train people is for them to go out and help out. Gradually, they will be able to do more and more.

1. How do I begin to teach the children?

   Order the "Hands On" materials from Group (call to get a free catalog at 1-800-447-1070)...and do what it says.

   
   

2. How do I begin to teach the teenagers?

   Put them to work doing things for less fortunate people in the community. Group has a great book with ideas entitled " Hands-On Service Ideas For Youth Groups".

3. How do I begin to teach the adults?

   Give them a Bible, show them where the table of contents is, explain how the Bible is laid out, explain how to find a verse, ask for prayer requests, and then teach some classes about what the Bible has to say about those prayer requests.

   
   

4. How do I begin to teach the senior adults?

   Have Sunday church services for them.