Tulsa Church Tries Unique Approach To Increasing Attendance

The spirit of Christ was flowing at Greater Heights Assembly of God as the church took on a different approach to filling the pews.

"This is a practical way of reaching out to people in this area to say, ‘Look, we know that there's needs in your life and we want to be able to help in some way,'" pastor Les Castleberry said.

The church is in the middle of its "Good News" campaign. It's a three-month outreach program, and its goal is to increase church attendance.

It started with the promotion of a raffle. Every time you walk through the door, you get to enter the drawing.

The prize $500 toward your mortgage, rent or utilities.

"We're in a community that has a lot of needs, so we thought what can we do to help build up the congregation, share the message about Jesus Christ and help the community," social media coordinator Josh Graston said.

Becky Riggs found out she was the lucky winner during the Easter Sunday service.

"I just feel unworthy of getting it, but I thank God for it," Riggs said.

Leaders of this church say if the Good News campaign encourages at least one person to come to church, then their mission is complete.

"The first time that someone came in that we haven't seen before it brought tears to my eyes," Graston said.

Both Bruce Davenport and Millie Breckenridge are new the church.

They admit the incentive helped get them in the door, but once here, they fell in love.

"It took us a while to find the right church, and an open invitation to come here is what we needed," Davenport said.

Breckenridge said she was impressed by the congregation.

"They care about one another," she said. "The pastor isn't out for what he can get. He's out for souls and to help people, so that's why I love the church."

And the church didn't forget about the kiddos.

One lucky boy won a $50 Toys 'R Us gift card.