Summer Ideas for Your Group

by Charity Roberson

 

Summer is the perfect time to explore the world around you. Perhaps you needed to work to make extra money or needed to catch up on some classes, and you were not able to commit to an entire summer doing missions work. Maybe you are just bored and looking for something to do in your hometown or on your deserted college campus. There are still many opportunities available to explore your world and give something back without having to make a full-time commitment. Perhaps your eyes will be opened to something that changes your worldview forever. Here are some suggestions for developing a fun group that is seeking to make a difference.

 

1. Find a small group of friends who are interested in meeting together. Come up with a catchy name for your group. This, of course, is not important for your ministry efforts, but just adds a little spice to things. Even if this smaller group is part of your larger missions or ministry group throughout the year, setting apart this smaller group for the work you will do during the summer will allow your friends to be committed for a set amount of time and will create ownership.

 

2. Decide what you want this group to accomplish. Do you want someone to come to you and share about needs? Are there places you want to visit to learn more about? How often? How often do you want to volunteer in your community? What are people groups around the world you would like to know more about?

 

3. Contact area churches and non-profit organizations. Most organizations have people available to come and share with your group more about the population they work with or will invite you to come visit their facility for the day.

 

4. Choose different cultures around the world and divide them amongst your group. Have each member research this population and take turns sharing her information. Make a commitment to pray for the groups throughout the summer.

 

5. If your group is searching for a place or a way to volunteer on a regular basis, here are some ideas:

a. Find a homeless shelter or women’s shelter. The children who come with their parents would enjoy your group programming one day a week for them.

b. Find senior adults in your community who could use help with daily tasks. Many senior adults need volunteers to drive them for errands. Others need help with things like cleaning their homes or even just changing light bulbs. These experiences provide wonderful opportunities to visit with these people.

 

6. Make your learning and volunteering a little more fabulous. Visit ethnic restaurants of people groups about whom you are learning. Coordinate something fun to do along with your volunteer work, just for your group. The relationships you can build among your group can also help in your Christian walk, and can simply provide some intentional fun to your summer.

 

You do not have to go across the United States or halfway around the world to do ministry. Give yourself the opportunity to grow by intentionally planning to learn and pray about others around the world. Commit time to minister to others right in your own community.