Ministry Ideas | Turning Community Service into a Ministry Strategy

In the heart of New York City, a unique ministry approach is opening doors to reach high school students with the gospel—through community service hours.

Many public high schools in NYC offer a special recognition on student diplomas—something like a “gold star”—for completing 100 hours of community service. This “super diploma” serves as a badge of life experience and character growth, helping students stand out on college and job applications.

This opportunity sparked a creative idea: what if the church could help students fulfill these hours—and in the process, introduce them to Jesus?

A Gospel-Driven Initiative

It began when a few local parents asked if the church offered community service opportunities. That inquiry led to research and a door opening. Now, several students regularly volunteer at the church, helping with tasks like cleaning, setting up chairs, or even proofreading sermon translations—an activity that naturally leads to reading the gospel message embedded in the messages.

Each session starts with a short devotion and prayer, and ends with a signed confirmation of the students' hours. The church gains help, the students meet a requirement—and more importantly, they encounter the Word of God.

From Cold Streets to Warm Relationships

Initially, outreach efforts focused on traditional methods: passing out tracts in front of high schools. But the results were disheartening—cold shoulders, thrown flyers, and awkward stares. Despite three nearby high schools and a large Chinese community, meaningful connections with students remained elusive.

That changed when families started attending the church and bringing their teenagers along. Through those relationships, more opportunities opened—particularly for offering community service in a non-threatening, helpful environment. It became a natural and effective way to get to know students and earn their trust.

Bible Studies on Wednesdays

The ministry didn’t stop at service hours. Recognizing that many students are free after school on Wednesdays, the church began hosting a weekly Bible study. Some of these students have already placed their faith in Christ, but due to family circumstances—such as parents who practice Buddhism—they’re not allowed to attend on Sundays.

But weekday afternoons are fair game.

These studies, held just blocks from their school, have grown through word-of-mouth, drawing 5–6 students regularly. The informal setting, friendly relationships, and consistent biblical teaching have made it a highlight of the week for many.

Building Bridges with Families

The outreach isn't only to the students. By helping students meet a practical goal, the church also earns goodwill from parents. It’s not uncommon to hear parents express gratitude for the opportunity—even seeing the church as doing them a favor. This dynamic builds bridges, softens perceptions, and creates openness to deeper conversations about faith.

A Model Worth Exploring

This strategy may not work everywhere, but in NYC, it’s proving fruitful. What began as a creative response to a school program has turned into a thriving tool for ministry—one that reaches students where they are, involves their families, and provides consistent, meaningful exposure to the gospel.

And it’s just the beginning. As this effort continues to grow, the hope is to expand into additional Bible studies, meet new students through ongoing community service outreach, and see more lives transformed by the good news of Jesus.