Easter Outreach for New Guests and Members: Attract Worshipers with Holy Week Events

The decrease in people who identify as Christians seems to be leveling off, according to new research. That’s good news for pastors and ministry leaders — especially ahead of Easter, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.

Although Lent just began, you probably have a solid plan in place for Holy Week worship schedules and service themes. But did you consider new guests as you made those preparations? What about people who are discovering Christian beliefs or rediscovering their faith?

Based on recent statistics, reaching out to church guests is more important than ever. In its most recent Religious Landscape Study, the Pew Research Center found signs that spiritual decline in the United States is stabilizing. Compared to previous decades, the percentage of Americans who call themselves Christians has stayed between 60% and 64% over the past five years.

Gregory Smith, the study’s co-author, said, “It’s striking to have observed this recent period of stability in American religion after that long period of decline.” He added, “One thing we can’t know for sure is whether these short-term signs of stabilization will prove to be a lasting change in the country’s religious trajectory.”

For Easter outreach, your congregation and its ministries can harness this renewed interest in faith. Through intentional hospitality, you’ll experience church growth while changing many lives.

Holy Week and Easter aren’t just highlights in terms of worship celebrations. These seasonal occasions are tremendous opportunities to meaningfully engage with congregants and community members. While celebrating the joyful Easter story, let’s remember to love and support visitors and encourage them to return.

With creativity and planning, church leaders can create worship services and Easter outreach events that resonate with people of all ages. Use these ideas to make the most of Holy Week and Easter Sunday — and to capitalize on the encouraging faith trends unfolding now.

Easter Church Outreach Ideas: Attract Visitors and Engage Members

As a church leader, you probably use some version of these Easter event ideas. But if you’re stuck in a rut or looking to innovate, change things up! A few tweaks in your outreach efforts can attract the attention of Easter guests and appeal to more people in the church community.

1. Make Holy Week and Easter worship even more meaningful.

Boost Holy Week church attendance and participation by adding special touches to worship:

• On Palm Sunday, have Sunday school children parade palm branches in the aisles. Send home keepsake palm crosses, plus handouts with family devotional ideas for Holy Week.
• Use a Seder Meal on Maundy Thursday to explain the symbolism of Passover. If that’s too time-intensive or you have a small church, host a pre-worship potluck for fellowship.
• A foot-washing ceremony reenacts Jesus’ loving example before his arrest and crucifixion. Simplify that by distributing wet wipes and letting worshipers wash one another’s hands.
• For solemn reflection on Good Friday, open the church to the community for a daylong prayer vigil. Church service experiences might include an interactive Stations of the Cross walk, either indoors or outside. Guided prayers or audio narratives will help attendees reflect on Christ’s road to the cross.
• Set up a large wooden cross, paper slips, pens, nails, and hammer. Have people write down a sin or words of repentance. Then they can nail their paper to the cross and take time for silent prayer.
• Young adults are often drawn to late-night experiences. On Good Friday, host an informal, intimate candlelit gathering with spoken word poetry and personal testimonies.
• To celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, hold a sunrise service at a scenic outdoor location. Some people might not enter a church or attend a church event, so meet them where they are. Afterward, offer coffee and breakfast to encourage fellowship.
• Host an early morning Easter 5K “Resurrection Run” (or walk) that concludes with an informal sunrise service. Proceeds or donations can benefit a local charity or church fundraiser for a worthy cause.
• Surprise the community with a spontaneous worship performance, choir flash mob, or reenactment of a biblical scene in a public area. End with invitations to Easter Sunday services.

2. Leave a lasting impression on visitors.

Easter is one of the most attended Sundays at church. So, share the good news of the gospel in accessible ways.

• Make sure the music appeals to regular attendees and visitors alike.
• Have the church’s social media team spread the word throughout the community. Announce Easter events and worship on the church website, design a Facebook ad or post, and use other church marketing methods to conduct outreach ministry.
• Prepare for fuller pews through intentional hospitality. Train greeters to warmly welcome guests and provide relevant information about the church.
• Collect visitor contact information and use church management software to follow up. Send emails or handwritten notes inviting visitors to return.
• Your church’s tech team plays a key role in visitor outreach too. For example, livestream Easter services and then create online discussion groups. In worship bulletins and on signs, use QR codes that link to additional resources or next steps.
• Encourage members to share digital invitations on social media. Or they can perform random acts of kindness and leave cards with an invitation to church and a QR code pointing to the church website.
• Offer Easter guests small bags (or Easter baskets!) with a devotional, church information, and gifts such as bookmarks or rubber bracelets with Bible verses.

3. Attract community members with Easter outreach activities and seasonal events.

Families — especially those with younger children — are always seeking fun local activities. Bonus points if they’re kid-friendly and free! At Easter, it’s easier than ever to extend your church’s presence to neighbors.

• You might already host an Easter egg hunt or carnival for kids. To expand that outreach, partner with a local business or park. Connect the egg hunt to the gospel by giving out Resurrection-themed prizes or by setting up story stations for different age levels.
• At an Easter carnival, decorate a photo booth for free seasonal pictures. Then email the photos to families, along with a personal invitation to church or children’s ministry events.
• Instead of a traditional egg hunt, set up an Easter-themed scavenger hunt. Lead participants to different locations (businesses, parks, landmarks), where they collect clues that end at the church. Then host a special celebration or award prizes.
• For older kids and teens, host a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt. Follow that with an outdoor or youth-focused worship night.
• Encourage church members to invite neighbors and friends to an Easter breakfast or brunch. Then use the fellowship time to introduce visitors to small groups and church activities. Give each visiting family an Easter lily or treat to take home.

Even if you must do some spring fundraising to make these events possible, the effort will be worth it.

4. Harness people’s renewed interest in faith.

With declines in Christianity now leveling off, experiment with ways to reach visitors and seekers.

• To attract millennials and young families, offer parenting classes or family-oriented small groups. Those often serve as a bridge to church involvement.
• Create digital content (short videos, blogs, social media devotionals) addressing faith and everyday life.
• Expand online and hybrid ministries so busy people have options for participating.
• For growth and discipleship, introduce short-term small groups that explore Christian beliefs.
• Offer classes for new believers or new church members as well as mentorship pairings for friendship and assimilation.
• For fellowship, host a family movie night, game night or craft night.
• Invite families to Sunday school, vacation Bible school and other programs beyond the Easter season.
• Set up a casual “Ask the Pastor” coffee chat at a local café. Invite community members to drop in, chat with pastors and receive a personal invitation to Easter services.

Holy Week and Easter offer powerful opportunities to worship together, welcome visitors, and reach the broader community. With some creativity and hospitality, your church’s outreach ministry will make an eternal impact. As more people explore their spiritual beliefs, let’s offer hope, connection and transformation through the awesome news that Jesus lives.