Vintage Adopt

Led by: Ben Northcutt
ben@vintagenola.org

Vintage Adopt is a Vintage Church strategy aimed at reaching the community from within the community. We want each of our members to become a local at a particular “hot spot” in Uptown (coffee shops, parks, etc.). Uptown locals are creatures of habit and visit the same places at the same times every week. By consistently being in one place, you will get to know the people that work and spend time there. Eventually you will become a part of the “community” there and build relationships with other locals. Our prayer is that God will use us through these relationships.

Getting Started:

1. Find a hot spot.

Think of the places that you already have a connection to before you look for a place you’ve never been before. You might also ask your friends or co-workers and find out where they spend time. You are going to be spending a lot of time there, so choose somewhere that you enjoy being.

2. Find a time.

Of course we encourage you to spend as much time as possible at your hot spot. But remember that consistency is the key. Try to find a block of time that you can commit to spending there every week. Think of it this way: If you do happen to get into a conversation with someone, you don’t want to have to end it because of a time limitation.

3. Start spending time there.

Remember that your purpose there is to meet people. So don’t spend the whole time engrossed in homework or with your nose in a book. Also, try not to go alone. Matthew 18:20 says “For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” Two Christians can encourage each other and hold the other accountable. But also remember that the focus is to have conversations and build relationship with the locals.

4.  Let Vintage Church know about it.

Remember that your efforts are a part of Vintage Church’s city wide efforts to reach Uptown for Christ. We want to pray for you and your hot spot and support you in every way that we can. You can contact us via email here: adopt@vintagenola.org

Things to consider:

Take your time.

People may not recognize you or remember your name the first few weeks, but persevere. Be as outgoing as possible without being obnoxious. And make a genuine effort to get to know the people, not just to tell them about Jesus.

Be prepared to talk about Jesus.

Eventually you will get an opportunity to witness to someone. Don’t let it catch you off guard. Trust the Holy Spirit to give you the right words at the right time (Luke 12:11-12). You may not always have a Bible handy, so be familiar with how to present the Gospel from memory. Also, know how you will respond to their questions about your personal story.

“…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;”

—1 Peter 3:15—