Try This: 4 Ideas for Summer Youth Ministry

Summer often provides freedom in teenagers’ calendars. Use this opportunity to hang out with them. Let your volunteers know this is priority for the summer. One-on-one time helps you build relationships with teenagers who don’t know Jesus, opening doors to spiritual conversations. It also helps you disciple believers, drawing them closer to Jesus.

Take them to the beach for the day. It doesn’t have to be an official youth group beach trip. Actually, the smaller the group, the deeper the conversations.

Go on a hike or a bike ride. This is a great escape from entertainment media and a great setting—God’s creation.

Take them shopping somewhere unique. Drive to a huge mall several hours away. It’s amazing the conversations you’ll have while shopping for shoes or sharing mediocre nachos in a food court.

Go to one of the fun summer movie releases. But don’t just see a film, go for food afterward and dialogue about what you saw.

Find more summer outreach ideas »

Check out more “Try This” idea starters »

 

Avoid These 10 Awful Messages to Visitors

There’s no joy in sharing these stories, but there’s clarity. These experiences shine a spotlight on what must change if we truly want to be welcoming communities of grace.

The Future of Church Outreach: 3 Key Trends We Must Engage

EDITORIAL Leading Mission | Andy Cook Standing on the steps of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Hall in 1980, Graham asked his audience a pivotal question: How...

Hills Church: New Name, Same Mission

Hills Church has grown, in part, due to Marksman—a strategy for men focused on reaching and discipling other men that includes a 6-week Bible study boot camp.