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In small churches, we can get a little tunnel-visioned when it comes to how we spend our time (or maybe that’s just me.) We have to constantly check ourselves to make sure we are not so focused on building within the church that we forget that we are also called to reach outside the church walls, too. We want others to know the Lord as we do, but as a favorite quote of mine says, “People don’t care what you know, until they know you care.”

Women’s Ministry Outreach

Thankfully, if you already have a relatively active women’s ministry, you already have a group that could be ready to reach out beyond the church walls into the surrounding community. We sometimes joke that if it were not for the women of the small churches, nothing would ever get done…but I love working with women in small churches because they are usually great “get-things-done” members!

Building A Sense Of Community

In addition to being a blessing to the community surrounding you, and, more importantly, building the Kingdom of God, working together with the other women of your church to do outreaches will bring an even greater sense of purpose to your group. Serving together and seeing our own contributions to the kingdom be accomplished brings such unity to most any group.

Yes, it takes an effort to do outreaches. Especially when our lives have become so busy anyway, with all the kids’ (or grandkids’) activities, plus our own appointments and work duties taking up most of our days anyway. 

But in James, the writer asks us,

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

James 2:14-17 NIV

Since we have faith in our Lord, how can we help but reach out and “love on” (as my grandmother would say) the people He also loves so much? 

Read on for some ideas that are great ways to help your small group of women reach out to others in this hectic and busy world we live in today.

8 Best Women’s Ministry Outreach Ideas

1. Purses With Purpose (AKA Dignity Bags) For Battered Women

Supplies: 

This idea was birthed by a friend of mine, that (with her permission) I quickly introduced to our women’s group! So many times, when battered women are finally able to leave an abusive relationship, they have to leave with nothing. So we had people donate well-cared for used purses.

Over a period of about 2 months, our ladies would also bring in hygiene supplies, small notebooks and pens, tissues – anything to fill each bag with so that the receiver of the bag would not only have a good replacement purse if she needed it, but a good amount of necessities that she may have had to leave behind. We contacted our local battered women’s shelter and donated the filled bags to them. 

Tip: There will, unfortunately, likely never be an end to battered women needing support, so this could be an on-going outreach project for your ladies! We kept a shelf of the storage room at the church set aside for the collection of the bags and “fillers”, then would meet every month or so when we felt like we had enough to donate and fill the bags and drop them off at the shelter again. 

2. Visiting Assisted Living Or Nursing Homes

Supplies: 

  • None, unless you are planning an activity with the residents!

The fastest growing demographic in the US is the retirement-aged population. As more and more enter into nursing homes and residential living spaces specifically made for the elderly, the need for socialization for them will continue to grow as well. In some good cases, the elderly’s family members are very involved, but in most cases they either are not able to come regularly to visit, or just don’t care to come regularly. Giving an hour or two of our time to connect with another generation, learn from them, give them the chance to relive their “glory days”, or sometimes just sit with them. 

Tip: Coordinate with the staff to not just visit, but to have a fun round of Bingo, a mobile nail-salon experience or some other activity to keep the interaction going for more than just a few minutes of awkward conversation. (Be sure to provide any supplies needed.) 

3. Card Ministry To Those Who Are Homebound Or Hospital-Bound

Supplies: 

  • Greeting cards
  • Stamps
  • Addresses for the recipients

Believe it or not, some people still love getting physical mail! Actually, even the youngest nieces and nephews in my family love seeing their name on an envelope when the adult in the house checks the mail. When we have people in our church or community that are not able to attend church for any reason, they need to know that we miss their presence and are praying for them. Sending a simple greeting card to let them know they were on your (or your small group’s) mind goes a long way to help them when they feel forgotten. In fact, one group I know of called this their “Sunshine Ministry” because it brightens up people’s days so much!

Tip: Try to get more than one person to sign the card. Having more signatures or greetings to read on each card will make it even more precious!

4. Provide A Meal Or Snack Bags For First Responders

Supplies: 

  • Full meal with paper products for serving
  • Snack bags with home-made goodies in them

Our community’s first responders often put their lives on the line without very much thanks at all. Donating a basket full of homemade snacks, or even a full meal if you can, is one small way to show them that the members – and especially the women’s ministry – of your church appreciate the effort they put into keeping our communities safe. 

If you’re doing snack bags of goodies, you could always print labels to stick on each bag that simply reads “Thank you for all you do for our community! – The Women’s Ministry at ____ Church”. If you provide the full meal, a simple thank you card delivered with the meal will also convey the same message. 

Tip: Be sure to call the fire station or police station well in advance to make sure they can accept gifts from a church group like this.

5. Coordinate And Work A Service Project For A Widow Or Single Mom In The Community

Supplies: 

  • Any cleaning supplies or tools you may need to have a successful workday

When we think of “work days” we assume it’s the men’s group that does it, right? Well, the joke’s on them! Your women’s ministry can get just as much done as a men’s group – just maybe a little different. Whether it’s actually helping with yard or garden work, helping to clean a house from top to bottom, or maybe just helping to catch up on the laundry for someone who’s been stretched going to doctor appointments or having to work two jobs. Anything that will help the recipient feel like they’re not alone trying to get through the messiness of life.

Tip: As you and your group serve this widow or single mom, pray over her home and family. And be sure to let this sister know that you will continue praying for her, even after you leave. 

6. Volunteer As A Group At The Local Food Pantry Or Unhoused Shelter

Supplies: 

  • None needed!

The great thing about this community outreach is that you don’t have to be the one to think of what or how to do something to make a difference. In most cases, your local food pantry, unhoused shelter, or soup kitchen already has experience with directing volunteers to get the most amount of work done as efficiently as possible.

Your group just shows up, ready to work, and be Jesus’ hands and feet for the day. Food pantries like Second Harvest of America always need help moving and organizing donated food. Local unhoused shelters actually do laundry for the unhoused people in our community, so people are able to come by on those days to help do laundry. There are plenty of tasks that need doing!

Tip: When you call the shelter or pantry to set up your group work day with them, instead of telling them when you’re available, ask which days they know they’ll need the most help and plan from there! 

7. Leave Quarters And Laundry Detergent At Local Laundromats

Supplies: 

  • Quarters
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dryer sheets

This idea may seem to have been around for a while, but I don’t know of a family in need of the laundromat that couldn’t use a little help with the financial side of it. Your group just brings the quarters to pay for the machine use, laundry detergent and dryer sheets so that the only thing they have to worry about is the actual work.

You could bring a basket to keep it all in – or even bring laundry baskets from the dollar store to give away as well. Don’t forget to bring a little card or label the supplies to let people know that they were provided by your church – or simply say “provided by someone who wants you to know God loves you.”

Tip: Don’t just leave the supplies and quarters there. Stick around and help people fold laundry or load the machines. Strike up conversations and provide a little distraction and light to their day. 

8. Blessing Bags For Unhoused People

Supplies: 

This one definitely requires more than just the initial prep time, but will be so meaningful. Once you have everyone together to organize the bags and supplies for the unhoused community, you will also need to commit to keeping a bag or two in your car (and I encourage every lady attending to do this as well) to keep for those times when you unexpectedly run into someone who is unhoused. Several young families have done this and it’s become a great way to have teachable moments with the little ones about caring for every person we meet. 

Tip: An often overlooked item that people need is socks! Put a new pair of socks in each bag. If you’re in a cold climate, add a pair of gloves. Likewise, if you’re in a warm climate, may skip putting any meltable snacks (like chocolate) in the bags. 

Being An Ambassador For Christ In Your Local Community

While organizing and corralling the volunteers to get community service projects done may not be immediately considered to help with spiritual growth or maturity as a Christian, it can absolutely be life-changing – not just for the recipients of the service, but for the ones who are learning to serve their local community as an ambassador for Christ. It’s really like real-life missionaries called to your town.

Finally, I leave you with the words of Paul,

Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 MSG

Go be love to our hurting world, small church sisters.

Read More:

The Best Outdoor Activities For Your Summer Women’s Retreat

15 Best Women’s Ministry Event Ideas For Your Small Church 

10 Perfect Icebreakers For Your Women’s Ministry Events

Woman in red shirt and glasses smiling.

Tabatha Rewis serves alongside her husband, at a small church in southwest Georgia, where they have been lead pastors for eleven years now. They have one adult son who loves that his mom still calls him her miracle baby. Tabatha’s passion for ministry lies in helping women to find the truth of their worth, and teaching practical ways for busy moms and women to protect their peace while still reaching out to a chaotic world.