Most churches have children’s ministry programs that meet on-site, but reaching kids outside the church’s four walls requires additional planning and energy.
Several churches across the country have found ways to reach local public school students where they are at as part of their mission to teach people about Christ.
Bringing Good News
A common framework used for reaching elementary school students with the gospel is the Good News Club, a ministry of the nonprofit Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). These clubs typically meet once a week after school for an hour and include music, games, Scripture memory and a Bible lesson.
Stephen Stout, pastor of Faith Bible Church in Omaha, Neb., began a club with his wife, Jane, in their home around 20 years ago for neighborhood kids. Shortly after their oldest son began attending Field Club Elementary, they moved their club to the school.
“We have had wonderful favor with the school,” says Stout. “The principal and the staff, they’re very welcoming of the Good News Club.”
Over the years, they have welcomed anywhere from 15 to 40 children in kindergarten through fifth grade to the club, which has been held in various spaces throughout the school.
Another Good News Club has been meeting for the last three years at Freeman Elementary School in Freeman, S.D., run primarily by volunteers from Salem MB Church.
Pastor Stuart Curry had been a part of CEF before moving to South Dakota. He believes the clubs are a unique opportunity for building Christ’s kingdom.
“God said to go and build disciples,” Curry says. “He didn’t say to wait until they show up at your church; he said to go, so we go. It’s an opportunity that we have to truly disciple them.”
In Dinuba, Calif., church members from New Life Community have a “long-standing relationship” with nearby Jefferson Elementary School, according to Pastor Brad Isaak.
The Good News Club there has been run in part by some retired teachers from New Life and serves between 20 and 25 children weekly.
“When we have opportunities to get outside of the church walls and meet our neighbors or add value in some way through coming alongside educators, coaches, school systems and administrators, we love to do that,” says Isaak. “That enables us to share our faith, make connections and build trust in ways that are organic and good, and we think that’s part of the kingdom-of-heaven type of work that we want to be about.”
Ridgepoint Church in Wichita, Kan., sponsors two similar after-school clubs in the area they call simply Bible Club.
Rhonda Heerey runs the Bible Club at Cessna Elementary, which began in 2019 and serves around 75 kids. Students are divided into groups by grade and participate in music, games, lessons and crafts.
“A lot of these kids for various reasons are not coming through the doors of our church, and we have the opportunity to take Jesus to the school,” says Heerey. “You have a mission field right in your city, at your school, if you’re willing to find the workers to do that.”
Heerey says they also find ways to meet material needs such as donating coats for students and providing meals and treats for school staff occasionally.
Reaching beyond church walls
In Minnesota, students from Frazee-Vergas Elementary have the opportunity to receive an hour of religious education during the school day thanks to the state’s “release time” program. The law requires that students leave school grounds in order to receive the education; those who choose to opt in to the program can choose from various churches of different denominations in the area that offer instruction.
Teresa Birky of Lake Region Mennonite Church saw a need for a teacher for the program in 1986 and volunteered her time for nearly 30 years before pastor Jesse Swiers took over several years ago.
Birky says that while some of the students who attended her group were from their church, it was also an opportunity to get to know other kids from the community.
In Lodi, Calif., students from Vinewood Community Church are involved in lunchtime gatherings they call Christian Club at both Millswood Middle School and Tokay High School.
Associate Pastor Joe Broesamle explains these clubs are primarily student-run, but that he or youth pastor Nick Galtman are usually present and able to offer support or guidance if asked. The gathering usually involves a devotional or Bible study, discussion and occasionally, a speaker.
“We do it as a place for our students to have an opportunity to invite their friends on campus to come to something that’s low-key, not as intense as showing up at a church,” says Broesamle.
The schools are required to allow student-run clubs of any religion, provided they follow formal guidelines set forth by the school.
Broesamle believes that one reason public school staff and administrators are supportive of Christian clubs on campus is the ever-present need for students to have positive adult role models and constructive ways to spend their time.
Twenty-four churches replied to a CL survey asking about partnerships between churches and local schools. This summary of their responses provides a list of creative possibilities for other congregations.
Jessica Vix Allen is a freelance writer living in Blue Springs, Missouri. She and her husband, Joel, are both graduates of Tabor College. The couple has three children.
