Simple Parties, Significant Impact: Making an Eternal Difference in the Lives of Your Guests Become a Lighthouse in Your Community with a Little Homespun Fun!

By Tricia Ford Wilson

Home is a place of belonging, a place of eternal meaning, and it represents a taste of the new home, waiting for those who have been bought with a price. Until then, we have been commissioned to reach the world, starting with the particular geography where God has planted us. I love Tricias emphasis on using our homes, millions of his embassies around the world, to welcome others to taste the love of God. Its a reflection of the many interactions Jesus had in homes. I hope this book will give women a vision for home-based God-expectant influence in their neighborhoods and communities (Barbara Rainey, FamilyLife & Ever Thine Home).

Sometimes the most intimidating place to take the gospel is across the streetto your family, friends, and neighbors. In this book, Tricia shares the simple and practical tools she uses to invite those living in her Jerusalem into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Make disciples of all nationsincluding your ownbecomes less daunting using the advice Tricia offers in the pages of Simple Parties, Significant Impact (Kurt Nelson, president and CEO of East-West Ministries International).

Jesus said, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation (Mark 16:15). Did you know this can be done in the comfort of your own home? The whole creation will come right to your doorstep if you ask them. Learn how to host a simple party with a significant impact. You will be glad you did!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512751284

Tricia Ford Wilson

Tricia Wilson has worked with children for over twenty years and has been involved in the ministry of evangelism since her college days in the early 1990s. She has taken the good news to various parts of the globe, including Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, and a socialist island in the Caribbean. Her biggest passion is equipping and encouraging others to share the good news right where they are in their neighborhoods, schools, and communities. This led her to begin WeeEngage Ministries. Tricia, her husband, and their four children live in McKinney, Texas.

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Copyright © 2016 Tricia Ford Wilson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-5127-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-5128-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016912009

WestBow Press rev. date: 08/15/2016

Contents

Acknowledgments

From the Author

Foreword

1 WeeEngage

2 Pray

3 If You Hide Them, They Will Come

4 It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas!

5 Presenting the Gospel to Children 101

6 What about Other Holiday Parties?

Appendix—Helpful Tools and Resources

Notes

The hospitality of our homes is the greatest untapped resource for the gospel. In our connection- starved culture, everyone is dying for meaningful relationships with someone who we really love right where they are. This book will teach you how easy it is to share the love of Jesus Christ effectively in your very own home. Tricia’s ideas are tried and true. I’ve used many of them and had the thrill of seeing children and parents come to the personal life-changing knowledge of Jesus Christ.

—Nan McCullough, author of Entertaining for Eternity, staff with Christian Embassy, DC, Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ)

Tricia is a sister of my heart. Our stories are so similar, from our deep-seated desire to love our neighbor to our fears and excuses about doing just that—and our unbridled joy in checking items off a list! God redeemed any mistakes we both made and allowed us to experience the joy of partnering with Him in our neighborhoods and communities. If you’d like to follow the Lord’s leading into the lives of children He has placed around you, Tricia has provided tips and tools that are practical, easily adaptable, and powerful. You’ll find everything you need to share the good news!

—Amy Lively, author of How to Love Your Neighbor without Being Weird

This book puts the I can in your own ministry impact. Its proven, highly creative outreach concepts will provide you with a tactful, simple, engaging way to connect with parents and their children within your community. A must read!

—Ross Robinson, Operation Christmas Child/Church Partnerships

The Lord has called us to make a difference in our world and that starts in our own neighborhood. Tricia has put together the perfect how-to resource for reaching out and connecting with others. This resource offers practical, fun, and meaningful gatherings for your guests that could have an eternal impact. It is packed with everything you need and great ideas for hosting the perfect party! Each one can reach one!

—Debbie Stuart, director of ministry initiatives at Hope for the Heart

I’m not sure I have met a woman with more passion or a deeper sense of commitment than Tricia Wilson. Her heart for sharing the good news is inspiring. I’ve watched her ministry grow and her influence broaden as she continues the work God has called her to. She is one dedicated lady, and lives are being changed because of it. We need more like Tricia in our world!

—Terri Burnett, founder and executive director of Women’s Nonprofit Alliance

This how-to-book is literally overflowing with creative ideas about how to share the gospel with young children. Tricia has provided the reader with a step-by-step plan for successful party planning for different seasons. Her ideas are simple, creative, and inspiring. You will quickly learn how to make a difference right where you live!

—Nancy Newton, children’s curriculum director and Awana staff coordinator, Prestonwood Baptist Church

Acknowledgments

Love and thanks to the following:

Hundreds of our guests, who have come over to eat, craft, play, listen, crack open Resurrection Eggs, and open What God Wants for Christmas boxes.

My One Thing friends, who faithfully pray for my one thing while I pray for theirs.

My prayer partner, Gina. God has heard our steadfast prayers in stairwells and parking lots, over the phone, and at a ridiculous hour of the morning for over twenty years.

Dwayne, Graham, Abby Grace, Sam, and Silas. You were the inspiration for this ministry God has given.

The One who is faithful and true. May You find me ready for Your return, and may the message You’ve given me to share multiply to bring in a ripe harvest.

From the Author

Hey there, Mom! I see you. I know you are tired and pulled in many directions. Yet I know you long to train up your children, build a lasting legacy, and begin and keep family traditions. What if I told you it’s possible to do all these things and reach your neighbors and children’s classmates with the gospel at the same time? Being a mom doesn’t give us a pass