NEXT

Hello! I am back!

I want to help give you ideas and get you excited about getting other people excited about NEXT!
Not that I assume you are already ecstatic about Next - but here you are reading this blog post and commenting on it telling me how excited you are! (hint hint)

THE BOOTH. You should have received a promo packet. Now, I don’t know about you, but if I am walking through the lobby in my church’s building and I pass a table with some papers spread out, I don’t usually notice it. I figure most people are the same, so how are we supposed to get people excited about something if they just walk right past the only info available and not even know it? I’m guessing level of anticipation will not be growing.
So here’s your and my job! Talk to you pastor/administrator/groupleader or whoever’s permission is needed. And then get creative! Maybe you have a planning or decorating team in your church. Come up with cool ways to set up your table, so that it will actually make people stop and look at it.

Some ideas: (and be sure to check out previous posts for a lot of fantastic ideas)
- Find a way to incorporate the “NEXT” name/log where it’s big and beautiful.
- Include photos; if you’re church has gone in the past, maybe find some group shots in front of the big “NA” or “NEXT” signs.
- Personalize it; maybe a few people can write a paragraph or so on how God used NEXT/Na as a tool in their life, or maybe a memorable/hilarious story. (ie. “So we all decided to walk to White Castle for a midnight meal and…”)
- Prayer Cards; Jessica mentioned prayer cards. These could be huge in getting even people who aren’t going to be able to make it involved.
- Bulletin board/news; an area to post important dates or info about the conference on here (ie. Deadline to register, fundraising dinner, prayer meeting, etc)

My last point: start talking about it.
I found out last year that telling people one, even two months in advance is not enough (especially with college students). This year I started telling people about the conference in the middle of last semester. If your friends hear from you how you have been personally affected by the word taught, the worship times, the fellowship, the small groups (big one for me!), or just dedicating a few days to spend with the Lord, they’re going to be more interested. I want to get people excited because I know how refreshing and amazing this conference is - I want them to experience it too!

Now I leave you with a photo of my awesome sister, Alli, who has been a huge part of getting our booth prepared for our lobby!
(and no, the lion&lamb shirt was not planned) =)

Leave comments about your ideas, too!