The role of the follow-up church.

Imagine hundreds of people saying “yes” to the Good News during TiranaFest. What happens next is just as important. Follow-up is key. Our mission is to quickly share each person’s decision card with a local church, so that you can reach out and invite them into your church.  

Welcome to your follow-up guide!

Here you’ll find everything you need to follow up with those who made decisions during TiranaFest—ideas, scripts, key dates, and next steps. Feel free to use these resources as they are, adapt them, or mix in your own approach. If you have any questions, you can contact VUSH through their website—they’re happy to help in any way they can.  

Follow up steps

  • During TiranaFest, all decisions will be collected and securely passed to VUSH. After the festival, VUSH will safely distribute the information to Alliance churches for local follow-up.  

  • The response cards will be allocated to the relevant churches across the Alliance by VUSH   

  • This is your chance to make a real impact. Each response card represents someone nearby who wants to know more about Jesus. Reach out as soon as possible—example scripts are provided below to help you get started.

    Phone or Email Template

    Hi (name) my name is (your name) and I am calling from (your church name) .   

    Over the weekend, you attended Tirana Fest and provided a team member with your contact information for follow-up.  

    • I would love to invite you to come to our service at (your church name) this Sunday if you're free.  

    •  We are hosting a family fun day at our church. Actives could include (share activities that will be there) for all the family with a free BBQ.  It would be great to have you join us. I will email or text you the link to sign up, or you can let us know on Sunday if you would like to come.  

      Hope to see you this or next Sunday, just let the welcome team know it’s your first time and they will direct you in.   

  • This is your chance to make a real impact. Each response card represents someone nearby who wants to know more about Jesus. Reach out as soon as possible—example scripts are provided below to help you get started. 

    The first two Sundays after TiranaFest are the most likely times for new guests to visit. To help them feel welcome and informed, here are some suggestions: 

    1. Welcome Team: Make sure guests are greeted warmly at the door. If your church is hard to find, have team members outside to guide visitors inside. 

    2. Worship: Newcomers may not be familiar with the songs, so display the words on screens or in the service sheet. 

    3. Service Content: Mention TiranaFest during the service. Consider having someone share their experience or highlight from the festival. 

    4. Share the Gospel: The message of Jesus is the most important to share, even if new guests are not used to sermons. 

    5. Next Steps: Have printed invitations ready for any upcoming outreach events to give to newcomers. 

consider a New believer’s course in september

Why not plan a new believer’s course starting in September? It’s a great way for those who responded to Jesus at TiranaFest to learn more about the Christian faith. Since many people might be on holiday right after the festival, September is a perfect time to begin. To keep everyone engaged over the summer, consider hosting a fun summer party! Some ideas are listed below:  

New to Church Parties and Mid-week groups   

Fun activities are a great way to help new people settle into church life quickly after the festival. Here are some ideas for summer parties to welcome newcomers, along with a few things to consider: 

  • Family Fun Day: Hold a day at your church with a BBQ, inflatables, and face painting. 

  • Sports Day: Organise races, tug of war, and three-legged races. 

  • Film Night: Show a family-friendly film—an outdoor screening could be a nice touch. 

  • Welcome Party: Host a relaxed evening with food and drinks to introduce people to your church. 

  • Summer Series: You might like to run these events weekly throughout the summer. 

  • Resources: Gift a new resoure to them like a Bible or a favorite Christian book.