Mentoring Lessons- CreativitySample

Unexpected Creativity

Have you ever felt confused and wondered what to do next?

Sometimes even though you and your team know who you want to connect to with the gospel, the “How To” seems impossible.

Years ago our small team had the job of reaching out to tens of thousands of university students who came to the beach for a school break. We didn’t know any of the students personally but we knew why they were coming – for sun, to get drunk and to look for sex. Not an obvious ‘white unto harvest’ situation! We would look crazy walking on the beach trying to speak to the university students in our street clothes. Our small team needed a new and appropriate strategy we could use.

Our first good idea was to encourage believing students who were joining our outreach team to also wear bathing suits. They blended in perfectly and it worked well. Then one of the team suggested a unique sports approach. We would play volleyball and soccer without a ball. All mime.

Diving in the sand for the imaginary volleyball. Wow! Totally intriguing and creative - but crazy! To our amazement and joy large crowds gathered to watch and many on the team started great faith conversations.

Once we defined the problem, many creative ideas started to flow. Some were implemented.

One role of your sports team is to pray and discuss creative possibilities to connect with those you desire to serve. A danger is to make wrong assumptions and only do what you have done before.

Scripture to ponder – Matthew 19:26

Jesus said, 'With God all things are possible.’

Key Lesson: There are very few closed doors with the use of innovative sports strategies. Be creative and playful. Test the ideas!