COMMUNITY TAKING STRATEGIES: Impacting Your Community For Christ

One of God’s greatest desires in establishing a church in any community is for that church to become a vessel of transformation for His Kingdom. God does not want a local assembly to simply exist or just occupy space; His purpose is for every church to be a spiritual force—a lighthouse that brings light to dark places and ushers in His divine presence.

The will of God is that every church would be an agent of revival, positive change, and Kingdom advancement in their cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, and communities. Sadly, many churches today are existing without influence, gathering without fruit, and worshiping without witness in the communities where they are planted.

A. BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

Scripture References: Acts 2:41–46; 5:28; 8:5–13; 17:6; 19:1–23

To “make impact” means to create effect, bring transformation, provoke change, influence outcomes, and leave a lasting mark. It could be either positive or negative, but in God’s mind, the church should leave a godly imprint wherever it is planted.

Let’s look at examples from Scripture:

The early church had tremendous influence in Jerusalem – Acts 5:28 says, “You have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine.”
Philip turned the city of Samaria upside down through powerful evangelism and signs – Acts 8:5–13.
Paul shook the entire region of Ephesus through teaching, deliverance, and miracles – Acts 19:1–23.
The apostles were described as those who “turned the world upside down” – Acts 17:6.

Every local church must become:

A city set on a hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14),
A light that dispels darkness (John 1:5),
A salt that adds flavor, preserves righteousness, and stops spiritual decay (Matthew 5:13).

This is the divine bottom-line and Kingdom purpose for any church in its environment.

B. YOU MUST BE IN THE RIGHT TERRITORY

Scripture References: Joshua 1:18; Acts 1:8; Acts 18:10

You cannot make lasting, fruitful impact in a territory where God has not assigned or sent you. Just as Joshua was given specific land to conquer, so also every local church must discover its divine apostolic territory—the exact field where God has appointed them to labor.

Important truths:

You are not called to every city or every people.
There is a specific location, people group, and assignment for your church.
You will not flourish or shine outside the bounds of your God-ordained territory.
Entering a location without divine leading will bring spiritual frustration and fruitlessness.
God’s presence, protection, and provision are tied to your place of calling.
Your spiritual authority and acceptance will only manifest in your assigned territory.

Just like Paul was forbidden by the Holy Spirit from entering Bithynia and Asia, but was called to Macedonia (Acts 16:6–9), many churches today are missing their harvest because they are planted by ambition, not by revelation. Your Macedonia could be:

A small rural village,
A slum area,
A remote part of town,
A foreign mission field,
Or an inner-city region.

When you find your territory, your impact will follow. But many miss it due to:

Wrong counsel,
Pressure from peers,
Or the desire to look successful in a big city.

C. COMMITMENT TO YOUR TERRITORY

Scripture Reference: Acts 1:8

Jesus said, “You shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem (your starting point), then Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Your Jerusalem is your immediate neighborhood—the 1–5 km radius surrounding your church. That is where your first assignment lies.

Marks of territorial commitment include:

Receiving clear vision and divine instruction from God for the area.
Engaging in intentional and strategic outreach plans.
Showing pastoral faithfulness and consistency in serving the area.
Taking part in community service and development initiatives.
Prayer-walking and spiritual mapping of your neighborhood.
Building friendly and peaceful relationships with residents and local authorities.
Establishing strong member presence within the community.
Acquiring visible properties and projects that reflect God’s Kingdom.

When a church shows visible commitment to its community, the people will begin to see it as a house of refuge, not just a building.

D. WHY CHURCHES DO NOT IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITIES

Many churches have presence but no influence, structure but no spiritual force, and gatherings without transformation because of the following reasons:

Being the wrong church in the wrong place.
Being driven by the flesh—ceremonies, dancing, financial collection, and empty traditions.
Lack of prophetic vision or burden in the pastor.
Spiritual warfare and strongholds blocking the church’s effectiveness.
Prideful, cold, or unfriendly behavior from church leaders and members.
Lack of serious intercession and spiritual warfare for the land.
The Pastor living a double life or being a wrong example.
Members displaying unrighteous or worldly lifestyles.
Partnership with demonic and occultic practices for fame or growth.
Tolerating sin, leadership fights, and internal division.
Using outdated, ineffective methods with no fresh move of God.

Until churches repent of these barriers, true revival and community impact will be impossible. These are spiritual cancers that kill the influence of the church.

E. HOW TO MAKE A POWERFUL IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY

To become a church of influence, a Kingdom center, and a place of transformation, you must focus on these 10 key areas:

Pursue a vision of impact
Let the vision of changing lives and transforming the community burn in your heart.
Be driven by impact, not numbers or fame
Let every decision and direction be focused on making eternal difference.
Ask God for the right strategy
You must hear from God and be wise about how to reach your community.
Be relevant to your environment
If it’s not working, change it. Study your community to know what will help them and minister effectively.
Be an attractive church
Live in holiness, operate in excellence, and carry a spiritual presence that draws people to Christ.
Walk in supernatural power
The church must manifest miracles, signs, and wonders (Mark 16:17–18).
Practice what you preach
Let your life and your message align—live the Gospel you teach.
Intercede for the land
Break the spiritual chains binding the community and establish the Kingdom of God in prayer.
Show love through acts of kindness
Be a church that gives, visits, supports, and uplifts the broken and the needy.
Be a solution center
Become a spiritual rescue ground for those oppressed, lost, sick, or bound.

POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS

I refuse to be a decoration in my community, in Jesus name.
I choose to be a mighty Kingdom force where God has planted me, in Jesus name.
I begin to discover and enter my God-assigned territory, in Jesus name.
Every barrier to my church’s impact is broken and destroyed, in Jesus name.
I receive divine wisdom and power to be relevant and fruitful, in Jesus name.
I receive fire for impact in my spirit, soul, and bones, in Jesus name.
I receive grace to lead the church into lasting influence, in Jesus name.