In a creative blend of fun and faith, First Baptist Church Shelbyville, Kentucky, hosted a 9-hole mini-golf to share the story of Jesus’ birth. Designed as an outreach to engage the entire community, the event is both an opportunity for family fun and an introduction to the true meaning of Christmas.
Church members Matt and Tiffanie Mueller picked up the idea from their previous church and brought it to Shelbyville.
Bring people together
“We were looking for an outreach opportunity that could bring people from our community inside the church who wouldn’t normally visit,” Matt said. “Mini-golf works because it appeals to anyone. A 3-year-old and 90-year-old can both play a round of mini-golf and have a good time.”
The indoor course, carefully designed with PVC pipe, carpet and festive decorations, features nine holes, culminating in a more intimate gathering in the fellowship hall where the church shares the gospel and connects with attendees. Bible Study groups each take ownership and “adopt” their own holes to decorate.
“Most people didn’t fully know what my vision was until the night of,” Tiffanie said. “But people stepped up and owned it. It was so fun watching people come up with ideas for their holes and working together to make them a reality.”
Energized church members
The Muellers emphasized that the outreach has reached the community and even energized current church members.
“It’s one of our most successful Christmas evangelism opportunities because it shares the Christmas story to a wide range of people and allows members to get plugged into service roles they may not considered before,” Matt said. “One member told us, ‘Mini-golf is right up my alley, and this is the first time I feel confident to serve in my church and work to spread the gospel.’”
Beyond the course, the event has opened doors for meaningful connections.
“It’s been great to see people who have drifted from the church find their way back in,” Matt noted. “We even realized while we were there that our neighbors, who don’t normally attend church, showed up and brought their whole family.”
The Muellers hope the event will continue to bless Shelbyville and encourage other churches looking for a unique Christmas outreach to consider mini-golf.
“It’s a very doable outreach that energizes our church members and blesses our community with the awe of the Christmas story,” Matt said.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Travis Hearne and originally published by Kentucky Today.
