The Christian Reformed Church is not known for being good at evangelism. When the church grows, it is rarely adults from outside the church but is almost always due to new babies being added to the numbers (which means that we should probably be a bit suspicious of teenagers who want to "evangelize" and help the church grow :))
But the Christian Reformed Church does have a couple of solid programs which provide the structure and opportunity to reach out to people outside of churches. One of those programs is called Coffee Break, which is a Bible Study geared towards women. It used to be mainly for women who were not working and would be offered once a week in the morning (and childcare was usually provided). But as more women work and lifestyles and so on have changed, churches (and the Coffee Break program itself) have changed concerning how and when to offer this Bible Study.
My mom has been in charge of one of these Bible Studies for awhile now - and it's been delightful to hear how things have been going. and it's obvious that it's a good Bible Study - it's a place where people are encouraged to talk and show how it matters to them but they also want to look closely at the biblical text itself and wonder what it really does say (i know this because my mom sent me a question awhile ago about how the following two verses can fit together: Exodus 33:20 says "[God] said, 'you cannot see my face for no one may see me and live.'" and Job 42:5 says "My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.")
and on top of it being a good Bible Study, it is exciting to hear that people outside of the church are coming. and today, the entire Coffee Break group at my parents' church is celebrating (along with the whole church) that one of the woman in Coffee Break is doing Profession of Faith this morning (and thus officially joining the church). And this is a cause for thanksgiving and prayer that God would continue to work in the lives of these women, and in the Coffee Break program itself.
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