I'll Fight Day

What is I'll Fight Day?

Play the I'll Fight Day Theme Song
"Where The Streets Have No Name"
Derek Webb Democracy, Vol. 1
I'll Fight Day

I'll Fight Day is a Salvation Army youth servant evangelism day that will take place all across the world on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011. I'll Fight Day is a way for you to share the Gospel through practical acts of kindness: like giving out free hot chocolate, returning shopping carts or cleaning up at a mall food court. These acts are done "in Jesus name" for the purpose of sharing God's love in a way that leads others to ask "Why are you doing this?"

This event is a local, youth-led initiative where you and your friends can decide how you want to serve others in your community. There are many helpful resources available to help you participate in this event. Instructions, resources and promotional videos can be downloaded on this website.

The opportunities are endless for you to show the love of Christ in practical ways and help identify the Kingdom of God in your community. This is a great chance for you to join the revolution. I'll fight to the very end! Will you?

Map

Where do We Do This?

I'll Fight Day happens in your own city, neighborhood, corps, local mall, parking lot, intersection - wherever you can plant the seeds of revolution! Use this site as a resource for ideas, but I'll Fight Day is what you make of it, right where you already are!

What about Servant Evangelism?

Servant Evangelism

S ervant evangelism is an opportunity to surprise people with God's love.

You can do this in many ways: like giving out free hot chocolate, returning shopping carts or cleaning up at a mall food court.

The goal is to show God's love to others in practical ways with no strings attached.

Essentially, servant evangelism is any activity that is:

Servant evangelism softens the hearts of people who are not yet Christians by doing a "low-risk" activity that shows "high grace." It is a way to bless others in the hopes that they will become more open to the saving message of Jesus Christ. These small acts of kindness can nudge a person closer towards God, often in profound ways.

Every Christian should be willing to participate in a "low risk" activity such as handing a stranger a cold can of Coke on a hot day. The "high grace" is seen in the typical reaction: "Oh, thank you!" "This is so nice!" "I can't believe this is free!" Ultimately, servant evangelism tries to open the door for conversation, in the hopes that someone asks the important question, "Why are you doing this?"

“ The goal is to show God's love to others in practical ways with no strings attached. ”

Jesus talks about this kind of ministry in Matthew 10:42, when he instructs: "It's best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing." (Message).

What makes servant evangelism so effective is that almost anyone can participate regardless of age or spiritual maturity. Anyone can give out a cold cup of water, shovel snow or pay for a free load of laundry. These seemingly random acts of kindness can help others receive a touch of God's love. Just make sure that you are ready to share why you are doing these things-"in Jesus' name"-when the opportunity presents itself.

I'll Fight Day is something that anyone can do in their community. We pray that this exercise in servant evangelism will spur you and your friends on toward love and good deeds. We hope that you will catch a glimpse of the exciting Gospel of Jesus Christ; Good News that can be shared in many beautiful and creative ways. We believe that I'll Fight Day is just one way we can fulfill our calling as Salvationists to "win the world for Jesus."

How Does it Happen?

Interested in participating in I'll Fight Day? Follow these steps:

Mall Food Court Cleanup

Concept

Go to your local mall food court and clean up after people eat.
Equipment

Rags, spray bottles of cleaner.
People Needed

4 or more.
Cost

Minimal-cost of rags and cleaner.
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Snow Removal from Driveways and Sidewalks

Concept

Help people shovel their snow.
Equipment

Snow Shovels and Salt Pellets (if there is ice).
People Needed

4 or more.
Cost

Minimal.
Weather

Snow.
Clothing

Wear warm clothing: hats, gloves, etc.

Shopping Cart Returns

Concept

Approach people and offer to return their empty cart back for them.
Equipment

Nothing.
People Needed

2 or more.
Cost

Free!
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Dress warm.

Laundromat Outreach

Concept

Pay for washing machines and dryers at local Laundromats.
Equipment

Rolls of quarters.
People Needed

Teams of 2-it is intimidating to have more than a few people.
Cost

At least $1.50 per wash, $.50 per dryer.
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Free Polaroid Pictures with Santa

Concept

Set up a Santa's Village in your Corps Parking lot and have free photos with Santa.
Equipment

Christmas decorations, Santa Costume, Polaroid camera, film.
People Needed

10 or more.
Cost

About $.75 per picture.
Weather

Cool to cold weather.
Clothing

Dress warm.

Mall Parking Spot Finder*

Concept

Go to your local mall and help people find empty parking spots.
Equipment

Develop a system that you think could work. Flags and 2- way radios may help. Be safe.
People Needed

6 or more.
Cost

Free!
Weather

Any Weather.
Clothing

Wear bright colored clothing (be safe!) and dress warm.

Windshield Washing

Concept

Go to a shopping mall or department store and wash windshields.
Equipment

Squirt bottles, cleaner, squeegees, shop rags.
People Needed

2 or more.
Cost

Fluid commonly costs about $2.50 per gallon.
Weather

Don't attempt to do this in weather below 20 degrees- the cold water could freeze door locks.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Christmas Gift Wrap Giveaway

Concept

Give away gift wrap necessities to your community.
Equipment

Wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, gift bags, etc.
People Needed

Teams of 2.
Cost

Nothing. Put your Corps' donated wrapping paper to great use!
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Traveling Department Store

Concept

Find a homeless person and give them some warm clothing.
Equipment

Socks, gloves, hats, jackets and any other warm clothing.
People Needed

Teams of 2-4.

Cost

Minimal.
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Depends on the weather.

Free Coffee / Hot Chocolate Giveaway

Concept

Set up tables at store exits or sporting events and serve hot drinks on cold days.
Equipment

Table, 2 or 3 Igloos (5 gal.), creamers, sugar, stirrers, cups and "Free Coffee" sign.
People Needed

3 or more.
Cost

Minimal.
Weather

Cool to cold weather.
Clothing

Dress warm.

Grocery Store Bag Packing*

Concept

Go to a self-bagging grocery store and help people bag their groceries.
Equipment

Might want to wear matching t-shirts.
People Needed

2 or more.
Cost

Free!
Weather

Good project for bad weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Light Bulb Service

Concept

Go door to door with light bulbs offering to change burned-out bulbs.
Equipment

Supply 15-60 watt light bulbs, step ladder.
People Needed

Teams of 2-3.
Cost

Light bulbs are $.30 to $.50 apiece.
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Smoke Detector Battery Giveaway

Concept

Give out complimentary smoke detector batteries for home smoke detectors.
Equipment

9 Volt Batteries.
People Needed

Teams of 2.
Cost

It usually costs $1.25 per 9 volt battery.

Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

House Gutter Cleaning

Concept

Clean gutters on houses of leaves, sticks, and debris.
Equipment

Gloves, ladders, trash bags.

People Needed

Teams of 2-4. Everyone needs a ladder holder.
Cost

Cost of plastic bags, borrow ladders from friends or Corps.
Weather

Dry weather is best.
Clothing

Dress warm.

Neighborhood Windshield Ice Scraping

Concept

Go to an apartment complex after a snow and start scraping.
Equipment

Windshield Ice Scrapers
People Needed

2 or more.
Cost

Cost of Ice Scrapers.
Weather

Cold weather, after snow.
Clothing

Dress warm.

Christmas Caroling

Concept

Organize a caroling group and go house to house in your neighborhood.
Equipment

Christmas music and Candy Canes (if wanted).
People Needed

4 or more.
Cost

Free!
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Dress warm.

Stamp Giveaway*

Concept

Give out free stamps in front of your local Post Office.
Equipment

A few booklets of stamps and a "Free Stamps" sign.
People Needed

Teams of 2.
Cost

Stamps are $.41 apiece. You can buy a booklet of 20 stamps for $8.20
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Library Jubilee

Concept

Go to your local library and pay as many library fines as you can afford.
Equipment

Cash money.
People Needed

Teams of 2.
Cost

Pay as many fines as you can afford.
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Leaf Raking (if leaves are still on the ground)

Concept

Who likes to rake leaves? You'll do it for them.
Equipment

Rakes, Bags, Leaf Blowers, etc.
People Needed

As few as 2-the more the merrier and easier. 10 people can rake a lawn in minutes.
Cost

Minimal-you can own your own rake for $5.00.
Weather

Any weather, but it's tough raking leaves in wet weather.
Clothing

Depends on the weather.

Car Drying at Self-Serve Car Washes*

Concept

Help dry off cars after they have been washed.
Equipment

Towels.
People Needed

2 or more.
Cost

Minimal.
Weather

Car washing weather.
Clothing

Depends on the weather.

Christmas Gift Wrap*

Concept

Everyone needs their Christmas gifts wrapped. Do it at the mall for free!
Equipment

Wrapping paper, tape, scissors, table, chairs, etc.
People Needed

Lots of people needed. Depending upon mall traffic, you will need a variety.
Cost

Though costly, can cost as little as $.10 per gift. Check your Corps' for donated wrapping paper.
Weather

If wrapping at an inside location, weather is not a problem.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Nursing Home Visit*

Concept

Contact local nursing home and ask if you can visit. Sing some Christmas carols.
Equipment

Nothing (though instruments would be nice).
People Needed

4 or more.
Cost

Free!
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Car Interior Vacuuming*

Concept

Set up in a car wash or gas station and vacuum cars for free.
Equipment

Several canister vacuums, several hand-held vacuums.
People Needed

Teams of 4+
Cost

Nothing to purchase if using home vacuum cleaners. $.25 if using gas station vacuum.
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Depends on the weather.

Cemetary Carnation Giveaway

Concept

Go to a local cemetary and give away carnations to cemetary visitors.
Equipment

Carnations.
People Needed

2 or more.
Cost

Cost of Carnations.
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Soft Drink Giveaway*

Concept

Fill coolers with ice and drinks to give out at a public place.
Equipment

Coolers, ice, cans of soda (regular and diet).
People Needed

4 or more.
Cost

Cost of ice and cans of soda (borrow coolers).
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Grocery Bag Loading Assistance*

Concept

Help people load groceries into their cars.
Equipment

Nothing.
People Needed

3 or more.
Cost

Free!
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Matching Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Reverse Donut Day

Concept

Buy some donuts, set up at a traffic light and give them away.
Equipment

Donuts, plastic gloves, napkins.
People Needed

2 or more.
Cost

Though costly, about $8 for a dozen, you could use donut day coupons that you may have.
Weather

Any weather, but it's better if it's not raining or snowing.
Clothing

Matching Salvation Army shirts or aprons.

Trash Pickup

Concept

Help pick up trash after the local school football game or around community.
Equipment

Debris pickup sticks, 5 gallon plastic buckets, trash bags.
People Needed

4 or more.
Cost

Minimal (borrow what you may need).
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Depends on the weather.

Umbrella Escorts*

Concept

Help people stay dry as they travel from a store to their car.
Equipment

Umbrellas (big golf umbrellas are best).
People Needed

3 or more.
Cost

Free! Borrow the umbrellas you may need.
Weather

Rain or snow.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Windshield Washer Fluid Fill-up

Concept

People use more washer fluid in the winter. Fill it up!
Equipment

Bottles of windshield washer fluid.
People Needed

2 or more.
Cost

Minimal. Fluid is 79 cents a gallon.
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Newspaper Giveaway

Concept

Purchase some newspapers; deliver to homes in your community.
Equipment

Newspapers.
People Needed

3 or more.
Cost

Cost of Saturday newspapers.
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.

Christmas Tree Giveaway

Concept

Buy some Christmas trees and deliver them to families in your community.
Equipment

Christmas trees, tree stands and string to secure to car.
People Needed

3 or more.
Cost

The cost to buy some trees from a local tree lot (see if you can get a deal).
Weather

Any weather.
Clothing

Salvation Army shirts would be helpful.
*For best results, please contact these businesses for permission to do these things before I'll Fight Day takes place. Most of these servant evangelism ideas come from Steve Sjogren's book Conspiracy of Kindness: A Refreshing New Approach to Sharing the Love of Jesus, Regal Press 2003.

I'll Fight Day Merch

I'll Fight Day T-Shirt

We're a different kind of Army. We fight hate with love and despair with hope. We don't take captives, we help set them free. Join the ranks with our "Wage Love 2011" tee, designed by legendary artist - Matt Stevens.

100% of the proceeds of the sales of this shirt will help The Salvation Army provide Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys to families in need this holiday season.

Printed with waterbase discharge inks on pre-shrunk, super soft, 100% ringspun cotton. Available in Mens & Womens short sleeve cuts, as well as a Unisex long sleeve tee. Click style for sizing info. Add $5 for long sleeves pieces.

 

Visit tsa-wardrobe.com to order.

What else Do I Need?

Start planning now. Go over the provided list of servant evangelism examples, talk to your friends and figure out what you are going to do.

Pitch in. Some of the activities require you to spend your own money. The more people who you get to pitch in, the more you can do. Take some pics. We want to know what your Corps did during I'll Fight Day. You can post these pictures on the website after the event.

All projects are free-don't accept any money

2011 Graphics & Videos

I'll Fight Day Wallpaper

I'll Fight Day Desktop Wallpaper:
1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1600x1200, 1680x1050

Video Downloads:
WMV Video (Windows Media Viewer) | M4V Video (iTunes)

Get Inspired

Show them the very essence of religion is love; the love that shows itself in benevolent effort for the salvation of others.
- William Booth
If the people will not come to see us, the greater is the necessity and urgency that will be laid upon us to go to them. And to them we Salvationists must and will go.
- William Booth
Why we might give the world such a time of it that they would get saved in very self-defense, if we were only up and doing, and determined that they should have no peace in their sin.
- Catherine Booth
Love will not be barred by criticism, not bound by custom. It bursts forth and flows over in new ways every day.
- Catherine Bramwell-Booth
The world for God, the world for God;
I give my heart, I'll do my part;
The world for God, the world for God;
I give my heart, I'll do my part. - Evangeline Booth
The church of Christ is perfect when she is fulfilling her intended end as the body of Christ, acting as His eyes to search out human need, His feet to run to meet that need, His hands to succor need, His lips to speak comfortable words to those in need. Thus behaving, His church is a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle, perfect in the Father's sight because she is fulfilling His purpose for her.
- Frederick Coutts
It is the timidity and delicacy with which men attempt God's work that often accounts for their failure. Let them speak out boldly like men, as ambassadors of heaven, who are not afraid to represent their King and they will command attention and respect and reach the hearts and consciences of men.
- Samuel Logan Brengle
What we want is more of this love which touches, breaks, and melts hearts. It is the greatest force in the universe. This love requires nothing for itself; it can live without gratitude and die without a thank you. It can endure, persevere, suffer. This love hopes where everyone else despairs. Love shuts the door on doubt and carries the feeblest in its arms. It encourages when all the world could discourage.
- The Officer - 1917
While women weep as they do now, I'll fight; While little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, I'll fight; While there is a drunkard left, While there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, While there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight- I'll fight to the very end!
- William Booth