10 Ways Churches Can Meet New People in 2026

Week after week, many churches pour time, energy, and heart into doing the same things for the same people hoping that somehow new faces will begin to appear. You plan services, promote events, and pray for growth, yet the seats look familiar and the results feel unchanged. It can feel like you’re working hard but going nowhere, spinning your wheels while longing to reach people who don’t yet know your church… or more importantly don’t know Jesus as their Savior.

The frustration grows when what once worked no longer seems to connect with the community around you. It feels like everything has changed, but your church has remained the same. You know God has placed your church where it is for a reason, but the path forward feels unclear. The good news is this: meeting and reaching new people doesn’t have to be stressful or frustrating. Perhaps by trying a few of these ideas (or expanding on some of these ideas if you are already doing them) in 2026 is all you need to do to begin meeting new people again. As this happens, your church can share the message of Jesus Christ with them throughout the year as they develop relationships with new people.

Here is a list of 10 ideas that could jumpstart 2026 so that your church can meet new people in your community who need to know Jesus and be a part of a local church.