The following is an exert from chapter 10 of the book Missionary Guidebook For Ladies by Mindy Bush
The Purpose of Ministry
The purpose of ministry is not to stay busy; it’s to produce fruit and help people to grow spiritually. What ministries bring fruit? Every field of service is different, but people are people! Talk to other missionaries in your country who have growing churches, and find out ideas, but realize that it is God who brings people. You would do better to pray them in rather than strategize all day. Personally, our churches in Argentina grew from word of mouth more than any event or outreach. Once people became believers, they had a burden to see their aunt, uncles, and cousins saved. They started bringing their family, friends, and neighbors. We would have a special day and encourage them to bring their family and friends. Pretty soon we had a lot of people to work with!