We get it — you already have a lot on your plate as a youth pastor. So why add one more thing like reaching public schools? Here are a few reasons:
- Most of your students spend the majority of their time at school.
- The vast majority of students who need Jesus are there — and they need the Gospel now.
- Your students grow deeper in their faith when they’re equipped to reach others for Christ.
- Over 70 ministries (part of the Campus Alliance at everyschool.com) are ready to help.
- Reaching all 67,000+ U.S. schools requires local churches to get involved.
As Rj McCauley of Magnolia Church put it, “If you want to fish, you’ve got to go where the fish are — and fish swim in schools.” So where do you begin? Start with these three simple steps:
1. Map the Mission Field
Begin by identifying where your students go to school. What school districts are they in? How many middle and high schools do they represent? And how many students attend those schools?
Then ask:
- How many of those students are connected to a church — and how many aren’t?
- What activities, clubs, or teams are your students involved in? These are natural spaces for Gospel conversations.
- What are the key social groups at those schools? These could be strategic outreach opportunities.
Getting a clear picture of the mission field will help you know where to focus.
2. Assemble a Team
Next, identify people in your community who are already connected to local schools — and build relationships with them. These might include:
- School principals and administrators (schedule a time to introduce yourself)
- Christian teachers or support staff
- Local campus ministry leaders (e.g., FCA, Decision Point, Jesus Clubs, Cru, First Priority, Youth Alive, Young Life, Collision)
- Prayer networks like Moms in Prayer
- Other youth pastors whose students attend the same schools as yours
Take time to meet with these leaders, learn from them, and help them connect with each other. And if you’re part of a local youth leader network — or want to start one — be sure to list it at nnym.org so others can find and join it.
3. Develop a Strategy
Next, partner with a local or national ministry to help launch a Prayer – Care – Share strategy at your students’ schools. There are over 25 organizations nationwide that help students start Gospel movements on their campuses. You can find a list of them on the front page of 9monthmissiontrip.com. Each of them is focused on seeing students prayed for, cared for, and reached with the Gospel.
Think about what tools you’ll use to help students live that out. How can you raise the level of prayer? Events like See You at the Pole, school prayer walks, or resources like the Claim Your Campus app and everyschool.com are great starting points.
What about care? Principals and teachers can help you identify real needs in their schools. From clothing closets and service projects to school assemblies and crisis support, your group can show the love of Jesus in tangible ways.
And most importantly — how will you raise the level of Gospel sharing? Equip your students to use the Life in 6 Words app or other tools to share their faith with confidence. You can also partner with other youth pastors to host training events or help your students plan outreach events through school clubs that invite friends to hear the Good News.
You can make a powerful difference on the public school campuses around you. The resources are available, the need is urgent — and most of all, students are ready. If you cast vision, equip them with the right tools, and send them out, you’ll be amazed at how God uses them to reach their peers with the hope of Jesus.
