The Soul Care Package
The Story Behind the Soul Care Package
The idea for the Soul Care Package started when I was on a mission trip in Mississippi. One day, our group decided to go out into the town and share the Gospel. We didn’t have many materials to give to the people we talked with, so we stopped by a local thrift store and found a few Gideon Bibles. We were able to get about four of them, and we also had two gospel tracts. But I wanted to do more than that.
I went back to the church we were working with and started writing on 4"x6" cards. On each card, I wrote some suggested Bible verses and an invitation to the church. For the tracts, I added a note recommending a Bible app to download. It was a good start, but it still didn’t feel like enough. I kept thinking, “Why can’t we include all these resources in one?”
Once the trip was over and I got back home, I began working on that idea. At first, I got a bunch of small KJV Bibles and little boxes. In each box, I included a handwritten note, a church invitation, and a few Bible verses. But I noticed that these small outreach boxes were often treated as disposable, and that didn’t sit right with me.
So, I started using hardcover Bibles instead. These were much better. They felt more valuable, and even people who didn’t really want them still hesitated to throw them away. The hardcover Bibles had a sense of worth that made people want to keep them.
Next, I began improving the materials inside the Bibles. I started with the same things I had used in the boxes, but wanted to include more. Over time, the Soul Care Package grew into something much stronger. It became a collection of thoughtful resources designed to lead someone to Christ.
Now, each package includes everything we can think of to help share the Gospel. It’s meant not only for those who are hurting or searching for answers, but also for those who may feel content with life yet are unaware of the truths found in Scripture.
#1: The Hardcover Bible
As talked about in the story of the Soul Care Package, these Bibles carry a sense of value and keepability for whoever receives them. We wanted to make sure each Bible felt special, something that a person would want to hold onto, not just for a moment, but for years to come. Our goal was to include a Bible that could truly last a lifetime, one that wouldn’t be easily thrown away, forgotten, or damaged. Even if it ends up sitting on a shelf for years, one day they might stumble upon it again, and that moment could be exactly when they need it most. We believe that when someone receives a Bible that feels meaningful and built to last, they are more likely to treasure it and, in time, open it to discover the truth of God’s Word.
#2: The Front Cover Sticker
This is the eye-catcher. The front cover sticker, labeled “7 Common Myths About Christianity,” wraps around to the inside of the Bible, where it includes Bible verses that answer common questions and reveal important truths. The design works by sparking curiosity and encouraging people to open the Bible. Our hope is that their curiosity will take them even further, leading them to read more, explore the referenced verses, and discover the truth found in God’s Word. This resource is continuing to be improved by many Pastors and Apologists.
#3: Where To Start Guide
If our front cover sticker does its job, this resource becomes incredibly valuable. Many outreach Bibles require people to open them up and search to find anything like this, and most never realize that those materials are even there. Because of that, they don’t begin looking at all. In our Soul Care Packages, we place this resource right next to the front cover sticker, making sure it’s easy to see and ready for whoever might need it. Our hope is that the front cover sticker sparks enough curiosity for someone to start reading Scripture and begin discovering its truth. This resource includes six recommended Bible verses and encourages readers to begin with the Gospel of Mark.
#4: Devotinal Bookmark
Now the resources begin to get a bit more advanced. This part is for those whose curiosity has been sparked, who have discovered the truth of the Gospel, and are ready to grow even more. While we are still developing our own devotional resource, Lutheran Hour Ministries has graciously provided us with devotional bookmarks to include in the meantime. Their Daily Devotions offer Christ-centered encouragement that’s grounded in Scripture and accessible to all Christians, of all backgrounds.
#5: Invitation To A Local Church
Now they’re loving the Bible and actively seeking Christ. This is the stage where faith begins to take root and grow. To help guide them further, the back cover of each Bible includes an invitation to a local church, a place where God’s Word is faithfully preached, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are rightly administered, and faith is strengthened within the community of believers. Our hope is that this step helps connect them with a church family where they can continue learning, growing, and walking with Christ. We have our own map of local churches included in this resource, but we actively encourage those who are distributing them to include their own personal invite to their local Church.
Conclusion
As you can probably tell by now, every part of these Soul Care Packages is made with purpose. From the overall theme to the placement of each item, everything is designed with the everyday person in mind and how likely they are to engage with it. I pray earnestly that we can share these packages with communities around the world, especially in our own hometowns, where outreach is so often overlooked.