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 “Listen to this, then take the right pill. You’ll know which one to take.”
“Oh, by the way, they’re just jelly beans.”
This was what members of our Life Challenge young adult group said over and over during a creative evangelism outreach last Halloween weekend. Under the direction of WHC member Steve Uggen, we dressed like agents from The Matrix, complete with official Matrix sunglasses and ear pieces, and hit the streets of Minneapolis to hand out gospel-based Matrix CD’s.
 The CD’s, mixed by Casey Uggen, contained some sweet music, audio excerpts from the movie, segments from Greg Boyd’s Matrix sermon, and a clear gospel presentation. We also handed out little baggies of red and blue jelly beans. After listening to the CD people took the “red pill” if they accepted Christ. The CD jacket contained contact info for several churches in the area that new believers could connect with.
We only gave CD’s to people who asked for them. We walked in front of every club from the Quest to the Gay 90’s and ran into all kinds of people. Whether they were cross-dressers, business professionals, kids, or people just driving by in their cars, nearly everyone wanted a CD! The guy on the corner passing out tickets to a new strip club called us back to get a second one for the club owner. “Maybe he’ll play it there” he said. The people handing out free drink coupons all wanted one too.
 Fast-forward two weeks and this same group of people was gathered in the Woodland Hills parking lot, armed with shovels, garbage bags, work gloves, and rakes. We spent our Sunday afternoon picking up trash and rocks from the parking lot and praying for Woodland Hills and the surrounding area. We ended our time with a prayer walk through the gathering area, learning about and praying for ever ministry listed there. While very different, this was just as powerful an outreach as our Matrix event.
All this is to say that no matter what form it takes, part of doing the kingdom is actually getting out and serving. Be encouraged to reach in and serve your own community as well as reach out to serve others in radical ways.
article by Kristen D'Arpa
email her at kdarpa@whchurch.org
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