How to Start a Street Outreach Group in Your City

You need fewer people than you think

Jesus never sent His followers out as crowds. "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go" (Luke 10:1). And He promised to be present with the smallest team: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20).

Two or three faithful people who will actually show up are worth more than twenty who come once. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).

Five steps to start

Love on The World, which began on the streets of Hamilton, Ontario in 2014 and now has groups out weekly in 12 cities, describes the path in five simple steps. In our words:

• Pray and seek God. Ask Him to confirm the burden on your heart for your city — and for the people you will meet.
• Gather two or three believers. Ask people you trust, who are reliable and kind. Faithfulness beats experience.
• Pick a place and a day. Somewhere people already gather — a downtown block, a park, a transit stop, outside a shelter. Choose a consistent day and time.
• Show up consistently. Rain or shine. Consistency builds trust: regulars start to recognise you, and conversations go deeper week by week.
• Love people boldly. Pray for people, share the Gospel, meet practical needs, and treat everyone with dignity.

What an outreach night actually looks like

It is simpler than most people imagine. A typical 90-minute evening might go like this:

• Gather and pray (15 minutes). Meet nearby, pray for open doors, and pair up.
• Go out in pairs (60 minutes). Offer something simple — a coffee, a snack, a warm pair of socks — and ask, "Is there anything we can pray for you about?" Most people say yes.
• Listen first. Ask their name and use it. Many people on the street rarely hear their own name said kindly.
• Share when there is an opening. Your story, then the Gospel. Your testimony in three minutes and how to lead someone to Jesus will help.
• Regroup and debrief (15 minutes). Share stories, pray for the people you met by name, and note anyone to look for next week.

Jesus' heart is the model: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).

Meeting practical needs

Words and works belong together. "and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday" (Isaiah 58:10).

• Hot drinks, water and simple snacks.
• Seasonal items: socks, gloves and hats in winter; sunscreen and water in summer.
• Knowing local resources — shelters, food banks, addiction and mental-health services — so you can point people to real help.
• A small budget your team agrees on in advance, so generosity stays sustainable.

Staying safe and wise

• Always go in pairs, and keep the group within sight of each other.
• Pair men with men and women with women for one-on-one conversations where wise.
• Respect people's space and choices. If someone says no, smile and move on.
• Do not give out your home address or promise what you cannot deliver.
• Know when to call for help — medical emergencies and crises need professionals.
• Check local rules for handing out food or gathering in public spaces.
• Stay connected to a local church for prayer, accountability and a place to bring new believers.

Following up with the people you meet

The first conversation is rarely the last. Remember names, write down prayer requests, and look for the same people next week. A simple record helps a team stay faithful: Love on The World groups use Kingdom Base, a free evangelism CRM, to remember the people they meet. How to follow up after a Gospel conversation goes deeper.

You do not have to do it alone

Love on The World describes itself as a movement, not a franchise: there is no fee to start or run a group, and they come alongside new groups with encouragement, coaching and practical tools. If you would like help, you can apply to start a "Love on [Your City]" group at loveontheworld.com/start-a-group.

And keep your own oikos close while you go. The people on your street, at work and in your family still need you too — map them and pray for them by name.

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11).