Could the cocktail party be the key to better evangelism? Sydney Anglicans in the Sutherland Shire have seen startling results.

The arrival of more than 140 people at a "Mocktail, Coffee and Dessert Night' has staggered organisers from Engadine Anglican Church.

"People kept asking before hand how many people we were expecting and I just thought if 80 came that would be great," says the Rev Raj Gupta.

But the event turned out to have far greater appeal to the local community, with approaching double the number of expected participants, and visitors making up more than a third of attendees overall.

"I was stoked. I think the turnout exceeded all expectations," Mr Gupta says.

A wide selection of non-alcoholic drinks and desserts were complemented by performances from two local bands.

The relaxed atmosphere provided the context for a talk aimed at encouraging people to consider the life-changing effects of Jesus' resurrection.

The event was part of a week of evangelistic efforts designed by members of the Engadine church.

"We asked for ideas in different groups and a couple of tables gave birth to the idea," Mr Gupta says.

Staff believe the high degree of church "ownership' means the event was accessible to the congregation as well as the community.

"It was a low-key evangelistic event and I guess in people’s minds it was easier to invite people to something like that than a guest service," Mr Gupta says.

But Mr Gupta says the average guest service would be hard-pressed to provide better results.

"I was quite astonished to see afterwards that there were at least two to three gospel conversations going. There was even a bible open at one table. There were people in some very in-depth conversations," he says.

Engadine plans to run variations of the evening for their youth ministry and groups later in the year.