Every year on Christmas Eve hundreds of Christians from the Fort Wayne community from many denominations have gathered at Mission Church to walk into the downtown neighborhoods.  We introduce ourselves with a “Merry Christmas,” distribute boxes of food and toys to anyone who is in need, listen, talk, and pray with people.  Our purpose is to offer neighborly kindness and to share the love of our Lord and Savior in this season.

Please bring your family and friends and join us, it will be a life-changing experience!

Summary

Please arrive no later than noon to register, get your group assignment, load your car, and worship with us.

We are anticipating the possibility of significant need in our community this year. When you come, if you are able to bring donations of canned (or non-perishable) food or new toys (for kids of all ages) it would be greatly appreciated, thank you!!

Someone in your group must have a smart phone for entering orders (see below).

Thank you for partnering together to be Christ’s hands and feet at this most special time of the year!

Details

Park on the south side of the church and enter through Door 1.  Send one person from your group to the registration table.

If you do not have a group formed when you arrive then we will match you up with someone.

You will have an opportunity to load your car with food prior to the short worship service, which is scheduled for 1pm.

After worship you will drive to your assigned map location and begin knocking on doors. Do not go up to any house alone.  Only visit houses facing your assigned streets. Cross streets will be covered by another group.

If you need to contact us while you are in the neighborhoods, email your name, phone number, and a note to [email protected] and someone will get right back to you.

After you knock on the door, we suggest that you step back a few feet to maintain social distancing.  Identify yourself as someone from Mission Church.  For example: “Merry Christmas! We’re with Mission Church at Fort Wayne.  Are you in need of any food or children’s Christmas gifts?”  Beyond that, let the Spirit lead!  There is no hurry, take your time at each house: listen, talk, pray, help however you can.

Upon registration, you will be given instructions for accessing the Google Forms app which you will use to enter orders and other information about the houses you visit.  Therefore, someone in your group must have a smart phone.

If anyone asks, you can give them Mission Church’s contact information: Mission Church at Fort Wayne, 1651 Cass Street, 260-222-7135 (voicemail only), [email protected].

After your group has submitted several (3-4) orders, have one of your group members drive back to the church.  Make sure the provided group number sign is displayed in the passenger side window, enter Cass Street from the north (Putnam Street), and pull up to the curb near Door 2 (on the north side of the building).

When you have finished your assigned location, DO NOT go to another street! If there is still time left, return to the church to get another map assignment.

Please wrap up visiting houses by 4pm and return any undistributed food boxes to the church.

We very much want to hear your stories and feedback, please email them to us!

Thanks to Heart of the City Mission Foundation for partnering with us in this event.