Resources

Evangelism Ideas for 2024 Eclipse

Below are ways to evangelize during the 2024 Solar Eclipse:

  • Purchase solar eclipse glasses to have on hand (apparently very difficult to find once the event gets closer).
  • Host viewing parties in church parking lots with food and festivities.
  • Sponsor viewing parties at local parks and state parks. In other words, find the places visitors may migrate to and set up water, food, coffee, and activities. Think of creative ways to share the gospel.
  • Bring in an evangelist for either Sunday night or Monday evening and invite guests to a special service.
  • Create an evangelistic presentation, tract, or card, that deals specifically with creation.
  • Post something special on your church website to highlight opportunities for visitors coming to the area for the eclipse.
  • Plan for two groups of people: those who come in early and camp and those who drive in and out on Monday.
  • Provide free meals for visitors including breakfast on Monday morning.
  • Sponsor a worship service at a Fairground or other public spot on Sunday or Monday.
  • Distribute water bottles (or coffee/hot chocolate) during the eclipse. Once people find their viewing spot, they will want to remain in that spot. Think of creative ways to take ministry to the people before the eclipse begins.
  • Host a block party to engage kids and parents before the eclipse starts, especially in parks or in church parking lots being used as viewing locations.
  • Create kid-friendly opportunities. Because of the uniqueness of this event, many families will travel to Arkansas. Once the eclipse starts, parents will sit with their children and talk through the event. Distributing printed material discussing themes like creation, darkness to light, and God’s plan for creation provides helpful tools for families to watch the eclipse and have a teaching moment.

Arkansas Tourism is capitalizing on the event, along with the state parks. A quick search will also give many chambers of commerce who are preparing. Some estimate hundreds of thousands of visitors will be in AR during this time, if not more than a million.

Leaders from UCA shared their plans and provided a framework for what an eclipse event can look like. During the meeting, a presentation from Arkansas Tourism was viewed. The presentation was helpful and informative. Here is a link to the presentation.