HOW TO HOST
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for hosting “A Taste of Open Door” event to gather your family and friends to learn more about Open Door Ministries. This is NOT a fundraising event, but a “friendraising” event to grow our Open Door community together! Your partnership impacts many lives and helps us continue to address poverty, build communities and cultivate followers of Christ in Denver. Below are more instructions on how to host this event successfully.
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You might be thinking, “Should I cook dinner?” or, “Could I just prepare dessert?” The answer is YES! We encourage you to do whatever is convenient and comfortable for you. Here are a few potential formats and other suggestions to help you host “A Taste of Open Door” event!
All formats below should include a presentation for your guests!
Invite guests over for dinner and dessert. Feel free to cook or cater!
Host a porch party and provide appetizers.
Ask your guests to bring a side, potluck style.
Invite your guests over for dessert only. Feel free to bake or buy!
Make it a game and pizza night!
Coordinate with your current small group or Bible study group.
Host a “watch party” over Zoom if most of your guests are out of town.
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“A Taste of Open Door” event should always include a brief presentation! We suggest your presentation does not last longer than 30 minutes. Check out our sample timeline below.
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ODM provides:
Host packet that includes info sheet, name tags, digital event invitation, brochures, thank you postcards, interest cards, response cards & envelopes, etc.
A testimony video or a participant to share testimony live
A staff member to support the host and give more information about Open Door.
Host provides:
Guests (ideally host 8-15 people)
Venue and/or food for guests
A TV and appropriate equipment to access video testimony from a YouTube link
Personalized thank you note (to go along with ODM thank you postcard)
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Feel free to pray for a successful event night!
This gathering should be a free event for your guests. If you need other ideas on hosting a reasonably priced gathering, please contact us.
Because the program might involve a video presentation, please set up and test your viewing equipment before your guests arrive.
Allow your guests time to arrive and mingle for a short period before your presentation.
Check in with your guests to see how they are doing. Enjoy your time with them!
Allow everyone time to get seated and settled before starting the presentation.
Feel free to share how and why you are connected with the ministry.
Allow a short time for your guests to talk about what impacted them the most about the presentation.
Allow a short time for your guests to ask questions about ODM. If there are questions you cannot answer, feel free to contact ODM staff (numbers on the front of this page) or let guests know you will get an answer for them shortly.
Thank your guests for attending at and after your event. We will provide thank you postcards in your packet for you to send to your guests. A personalized, handwritten note along with our pre-printed thank you card could go a long way.
ODM will send you an email with a link to our virtual presentation. Feel free to forward that email to your guests who attended and encourage them to forward it to others also.
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How do I access the ODM testimony video?
You can select a testimony video of your choice from our YouTube page . You can also use your smart TV, find the YouTube app and search for a video by typing “Open Door Ministries” in the Search field and look for our logo to select the correct channel. If you do not have a smart TV but want to display the presentation on your TV, you can plug your HDMI cord to your laptop and watch it that way! If you need help setting up your TV, grab a millennial, ask the in-person staff or reach us at events@odmdenver.org.
Do I have to cook dinner to host?
No! You can prepare dessert, appetizers or just invite friends over to hang and learn more about Open Door!
How do I access online giving or general info about ODM?
Please direct guests to visit odmdenver.org/donate to give to Open Door. You can also access all information and materials needed for your gathering in your host packet. If you need physical copies of materials, please contact us at events@odmdenver.org.
What do I do when someone fills out a response card?
Please mail these in with the pre-addressed envelopes included in your host packet.
What’s included in my host packet?
Invitations, QR Code to website and video link, FAQs, Suggested Hosting Formats, Response Cards, Envelopes, Interest Cards, ODM Brochures, etc.
Can I share about why I am involved with or how I know Open Door?
Please! We want your friends and family to know how you’re connected and how God has changed ODM because of YOU!
What does the “Invitation” entail?
As host, you’ll invite your guests to take their next step to get involved with Open Door (volunteer, take a tour, meet with staff, give, etc.). They can complete our Interest Card after your invitation so they can indicate how they’d like to get involved with Open Door.
How can I share this night with ODM?
We encourage hosts to document this moment to help us promote it to others. You can take photos and videos and tag us on Facebook and Instagram, or you can send photos to us at events@odmdenver.org.