The teens currently filling the seats in your youth group belong to the tail end of Generation Z and the very beginning of Generation Alpha (Parents). These students have never known a world without constant connectivity and social media. They’re accustomed to engaging with the world through their tech, but they are often very passionate about the things they care about and are much more accepting and welcoming than their elders. But you can’t really build a relationship with someone if you can’t get them in the door.
The challenge with connecting with teenagers is the same as connecting with older generations: how do you draw them in so you can share the Good News with them? Youth are often looking for fun and exciting things to get their attention and pull them in. But they also want genuine interactions with real people who speak to them with love and honesty.
Here are 5 youth outreach ideas that will actually work to bring students in and give you opportunities to pour into them in ways that have the potential to change an entire generation.
#1: Host a DiscipleNOW Weekend
The concept of DiscipleNOW Weekends has been around for several years, but it has undergone a revamp since the pandemic and has become an extremely effective way to engage with Gen Z. Partner with other churches in your community to plan a weekend filled with fun, combined with deep truths and genuine opportunities to serve others.
Invite an impactful speaker who understands how to connect with students and recruit a worship band or praise team from a Christian university or nearby church that can catch the attention of the youth while leading them in a time of life-changing worship.
Include a time for service when students can help those in need throughout your community and see the impact of their work.
Becoming a disciple of Jesus requires a commitment to study, worship, service, prayer, giving, and more. Incorporate as many elements of discipleship into your weekend as possible, presented in a fun and engaging way, so that students who attend can truly experience what it’s like to choose Jesus.
#2: Plan a Water Kickball Tournament
Sports tournaments are often exclusive in a way that isn’t ideal for outreach. But when you plan a tournament for something like water kickball that anyone can play, you’re able to open the doors that other sports may close.
All you need is a large field, some plastic kiddie pools, a kickball, and a water hose. Invite teenagers to come have fun with other kids their age, connect with adults who want to see them come to Jesus, and engage with believers in a meaningful way.
#3: Hold a Neighborhood Block Party
Often, when we hear about teenagers attending parties, there is a negative connotation. When it comes to effective church outreach to connect with youth, you must offer them fun alternatives to the things the world offers.
Hosting a neighborhood block party specifically for students provides them with a place to socialize with their friends, enjoy junk food, and have fun in a safe and inviting environment. Holding these block parties regularly will help build a reputation for your ministry. The youth already involved in your church are more likely to invite their friends to something they know is fun.
#4: Gather for a Friendsgiving (or Other Holiday) Meal
Many teenagers in your community lack good relationships with their families, and even those who do have them are often seeking activities that don’t involve family obligations. Providing youth with a welcoming place to go during the holidays, even for a simple meal with their friends, will show them love in a way they might not otherwise experience.
Recruit some of your adult small groups to make or supply a meal. Invite students to come and eat, play some games, and hang out to celebrate the holiday. Youth outreach doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply offering them good food and a bit of fun will go a long way with teenagers just looking for connection.
#5: Reserve Extra Spaces for Summer Camp
Summer church camp is one of the most impactful times in the spiritual journeys of the youth in your community, with 80% of students who attend camp still practicing Christianity up to 6 years later.
When planning for summer camp, you often need to reserve spaces months in advance. So, knowing the impact that camp can have on the students currently involved in your ministry and the potential for new youth to have life-changing experiences, take a leap of faith and reserve some extra spaces for next summer.
Begin praying over those spots as soon as you reserve them. Ask God to fill those spots with students who need to know Him. Talk to your adult small groups and ask them to sponsor the extra spaces so new teens aren’t limited in their ability to attend by the cost of the camp.
Remove barriers to participation by securing sponsors to cover the costs, offering transportation, and introducing new students to others their age with whom they can connect. Summer camp is one of the best places to see life-changing transformation in the teens in your community. By reserving a few extra spaces, you’re leaving room for your students to invite their friends and others who need the opportunity to encounter Jesus.
The ultimate goal of youth outreach is to build relationships with teenagers who are searching for something in the hopes that you’ll be able to show them that the love of God is what they’re looking for. Students are more likely to give “church” a chance if they can engage with your ministry in a fun and unintimidating way. Many of the teenagers you long to connect with haven’t been raised in church and may even have negative perceptions of Christians.
Providing them with fun and exciting ways to connect with others without pressure will open doors to sharing the Gospel, which can lead to an entire generation finding Jesus.
