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Back to school season is incredibly exciting in the life of the typical family. There’s a buzz in the air, and a whole lot of prep work to be done. Whether it’s financial strain from school supplies or the emotional burden of the year ahead, this season can be every bit as taxing for families as it is exciting. That’s part of what makes late summer the perfect time for your church to get active in light of the new school year. So let’s talk about five back to school outreach ideas that will help build community in and outside of the walls of your church.
What Does It Mean To Build Community?
Whether we intend it or not, it sometimes ends up being the case that small churches functionally exist only to benefit those inside of the small church. That’s not a knock on small churches. It’s just reality from time to time. Small church leaders are often under-resourced and overworked, so it’s easy to default to inward care.
But when we use the phrase “build community,” what we’re saying is this: the goal of a church in building community is to be social, spiritually, and tangibly significant to both church members and the families in our broader community. We want to be the kind of place where people from all walks of life feel seen, supported, and connected. In other words, one of the goals of a small church in strategic seasons like this one is to engage the community around you in such a way that folks leave a community event saying, “Whatever that was, I want more of it in my life.”
Building community means loving others as Christ has loved us. It means meeting them where they’re at, both in terms of their needs and their life stage. It means listening more than we talk. Giving more than we receive. And it isn’t just for them! It’s for us, too. For the folks inside your church, engaging in this kind of community building is a great way to create a magnetic bond. In many ways, executing outreach events like the ones we’re about to explore can do more for the strength of relationships within your church than even a Bible study might!
Yes, we’re called to study the Scriptures together. But we’re also called to go out and make disciples of new families together. And sometimes that starts with something as simple as a hot dog or a bucket of sidewalk chalk.
Why Outreach In Your Local Community Is So Needed
As I mentioned earlier, families in your community experience both sides of the coin when it comes to the new year. Yes, there’s excitement! A new school year means new opportunity, new friendships, and new rhythms. For many families, it means a return to balance. But the return of the school season also creates need. Tangibly, families might be wondering how they’ll afford school supplies or new shoes. Emotionally, parents might be dreading the grind of homework, sports, performances, and other school events. Spiritually, many families–especially those who don’t attend church–may be walking into a brand new school year feeling empty and isolated.
Your church can be a place that helps.
You can be the ones who meet people right where they’re at before the school year even begins. You can create space for rest, joy, and the beginnings of genuine community. The event you put on may just be the greatest moment of levity a family experiences before the schedule fills up again. The goal here is to position yourself as a place where people feel cared for–not just spiritually, but holistically.
Outreach like this isn’t about growing your Sunday morning numbers. It’s about being faithfully present in the community God has placed you in. And if, as a result, people do end up coming to your church, then praise God. But whether they come to your church or not, the Kingdom is better for your presence. So with all of that being said, let’s explore some back to school outreach ideas.
5 Back To School Outreach Ideas That Help Build Community
1. Hot Dog and Burger Back To School BBQ
This is as simple and cost effective as it gets. Host a back to school BBQ in your church parking lot, a local park, or someone’s backyard. All you need are hot dogs, burgers, buns, some fruit and chips, and drinks. And if you want to cut costs, make it potluck-style.
Set up yard games like cornhole, frisbee, and kickball. Face painters, bubble wands, and a prayer tent can take it to the next level. If you want to get digital with it, have a church member paint an artsy backdrop for teens and adults to take selfies in front of. You can even have an event hashtag for people to use when they post on social media so the broader community is made aware of this cool event you’ve orchestrated. Keep it short (around two hours max). Consider charging $5 per family if needed.
The key to success here is personal invitations. If your church members each invite a neighbor, it doesn’t feel like an “event” anymore. It feels more like hanging out with friends. That’s where community begins.
2. Slip and Slide Into School
Yes, it’s slightly chaotic. Yes, it’s a little risky. You might even consider having parents sign waivers before the event begins. But a giant slip-and-slide on a hot August day promises to be a great time. If your church has access to a hill and some hose water, you can pull this off. Buy clear plastic sheeting, dish soap, and a few tarps. Add inflatable bowling pins, race competitions, and popsicles for kids waiting their turn. Parents hang out and chat with youth and children’s ministry leaders, families build relationships, and kids laugh their way into a new school year.
3. Sidewalk Chalk Encouragement Day
Reach out to one of the local schools and ask for permission to write positive messages in sidewalk chalk before school starts. This is one of those great events that Christians and nonChristians alike can get behind. Think messages like “You’re going to crush it this year,” and “You are so loved,” or “I’m proud of you already.” Assure the school that you’ll monitor the content of the chalk messages. That will likely be one of the greatest potential points of friction.
Come out with chalk and water, and invite your community to join. The school may even send out an email blast about the event to their database! After the drawing and messages are written, optionally break into small groups and prayer-walk the school. Equip participants with a prayer guide if you think they’d find it helpful.
4. Last Scoop of Summer Ice Cream Hangout
Set up an ice cream station outside your church on the last or second-to-last evening before school starts. Invite the community by way of mailers or flyers handed out home to home. You could have the ice cream sundaes be $1 or totally free depending on your church’s budget.
Have a simple prayer tent, a printed invitation to your church, and 4-5 unique handouts offering gospel-centered encouragement for the school year. This event is designed to be a pop by, but even 10-15 minutes of connection, kindness, and community can make a difference in the life of a family before a hectic school year.
5. Distributed Backpack Supply Drive
This one’s a little bit different. It’s one of those back to school outreach ideas that isn’t really an event. Rather than hosting an event, your church becomes the event. Collect school supplies in July and early August. Then, give each church family a backpack filled with supplies to personally deliver to someone in need.
No branding. No expectation. Just go be the Church.
Encourage your members to pray before they go—ask God who needs this gift. Then give it, on behalf of Jesus. No follow-up required. Just love, dignity, and presence.
Lead with Love This Back-to-School Season
You don’t need a big budget or a large staff to do meaningful ministry. You just need open hands and a little creativity. As families in your community get ready for the school year, show up. Not with a growth strategy. Not with a flashy campaign. Just with a heart to serve and a desire to build something beautiful.
Because at the end of the day, what matters most isn’t what your church gains. It’s what your community feels and whether or not they felt the love of Jesus through your presence.
You’ve got this!
Read More:
How To Host A Community Back To School Bash
The Best Ways To Celebrate Back-to-School Week
Prayer Stations To Celebrate Back To School
Mike Haynes is the creator and owner of G Shades Youth Ministry Curriculum. Over the course of 10+ years doing youth ministry in churches of all different sizes, Mike has developed a passion for creating resources that help small church leaders thrive.
