When the coronavirus hit and we were locked down in our homes the question was how to do continue to do youth ministry. The answer was simple. Go digital! However that’s not so easy for everyone.
Instagram challenges, zoom small groups and YouTube worship services have become the norm. However there are many youth leaders who have students who are without steady internet, a device they can connect with or even a cell phone.
So how do you continue to do ministry to students during Covid-19 when lack of technology is an issue? Here are 5 different ideas.
Drop Offs
Drop offs are great ways to meet students who are at their homes during the Covid-19 lockdown. You can make bags of candy and attach a small note. You could also buy soft drinks and pop bags of popcorn. If you know someone who could shave a bunch of ice, you could put it in a cooler and then take out sno cones.
Once you have your items then gather your addresses on a map and then head out to deliver. Depending on your guidelines you could knock on the door and give them to students directly. Or you could leave it on the porch in a “Ding-Dong-Ditch” style fashion.
Any way you decide, your students will love that you thought of them enough to drive to their house and say “you are loved”
Tailgate
Announce to your group that you are going to tailgate in the church parking lot. Have youth come and park their cars in a circle with the trunks or tailgates facing in. Provide chairs for students who don’t have a car. Have everyone bring their own food and eat together, from 6 feet apart.
You could then lead a small group session, Bible study or just have a time for students to catch up, vent, and talk. Take prayer concerns and then dismiss till the next week.
Packet Pickup
Create a fun packet for your youth group. It could include a newsletter for the group, a note from you, devotionals, Bible Studies, Puzzles, and games. You could also include candy or small toys.
Make the packets available each week in a box outside the sanctuary or other designated location. Tell students and parents to come by and pick them up.
Drive Thru Drop Off
Instead of going to everyone’s house, have them come to you. Designate a time for a drive through drop off. Pop popcorn or make snow cones or gather whatever you’d like to give away. Have students and families drive through and pick them up.
Make it fun by decorating the space, play music and dress up!
Call
Students may not all have cell phones but chances are there is a phone in the house. Make a commitment to call all of your students and check on them. Ask how they are doing, and if there is anything you can pray for. Then pray for the students and their families during this time.
Letters
The only thing we seem to get in the mail anymore is advertisements or bills. Imagine as a youth, opening up your mailbox and receiving something handwritten to you. Make up post cards on the computer, or buy some cards from the store and send out hand written notes to your students.
There you have 6 different ways to connect with students that do not require them to have access to technology. What would you add to the list?
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