Over 20 years of pastoring have taught me a lot. But it was only recently that I learned this: Small churches have an incredible opportunity to make a big impact in their communities.
Discipleship isn’t just about deepening our walk with Jesus in isolation. It’s having a heart to impact others. One of the joys I’ve experienced as a pastor is watching our church's core team grow spiritually while actively serving in our community—especially through outreach in local public schools.
Let me share how this simple but intentional ministry has transformed not only our church but also the lives of students, teachers, and families in our area.
Discipleship to outreach: Partnering With Our Local School
Our church made a decision: we wouldn’t wait for the community to come to us—we would go to them. Public schools became one of our mission fields. It started small but has grown into something really meaningful.

Here’s what we’ve done:
Prayer and Presence: We’ve prayed with students, parents, and school staff, building relationships that allow us to share Christ’s love in tangible ways.
Gift Bags for Students: Over 600 students have received gift bags filled with practical items, encouraging notes, and a reminder that they are seen and loved.
Teacher Appreciation Meals: On Parent-Teacher Conference days, we’ve fed entire staffs, letting them know how much we appreciate their service to our children.
These efforts reflect the truth of Matthew 5:16, where Jesus says, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Evangelism and Discipleship for the Next Generation
The highlight of our public school outreach has been starting an after-school Bible club in partnership with In The Gap. (That's an organization you really should check out... they're doing incredible work, from their Christian puppet shows for kids to their summer missionaries program.)
Because of this partnership, dozens of children hear the Gospel every week--many for the first time. It’s been thrilling to watch them respond with curiosity, faith, and even questions that remind us of how important this work is.
One child recently said, “This is my favorite part of the week.” Moments like that remind us why we do this. Reaching kids in their formative years is one of the most effective ways to make disciples who will grow into lifelong followers of Jesus.
Why It Works: The Power of Intentional Outreach
Discipleship should never get turned just inward. It should have an outward component, because we're trying to be like the one who wept over Jerusalem, and was moved with compassion for the crowds. Our outreach efforts provide both structure and opportunity for our core church members to grow. They move from being just participants in church activities to active disciple-makers.
Outreach fosters spiritual health in unique ways:
It deepens dependence on God as we serve in unpredictable and sometimes challenging environments.
It creates opportunities to share faith naturally with people who may not yet know Christ.
It helps believers live out the Great Commission, which often results in their own spiritual transformation.
Your Church Can Do This, Too
You don’t need a large congregation or a big budget to make a difference. You just need a willing heart and a vision for discipleship in action. If you want more info on it, you can read my post here on our public school outreach.
Here are three steps you can take:
Look for Open Doors: Reach out to local schools and ask how your church can support their efforts.
Start Small: A single meal for teachers or a small gift to students can create relational momentum.
Involve Your Core: Make outreach part of your discipleship strategy by inviting church members to participate and share in the mission.
The beauty of this kind of outreach is how it multiplies impact. Not only do those being served experience Christ's love, but the servers themselves grow as disciples in ways they wouldn’t otherwise.
So let me ask you: What step could your church take this week to shine the light of Christ in your community?
Let's turn discipleship into OUTREACH!
Comments