Small churches often face the challenge of limited resources—whether it’s budget, staff, or time. But that doesn’t mean outreach has to take a back seat. In fact, small churches are uniquely positioned to build deep relationships in their communities through creativity, intentionality, and a personal touch. This list of outreach ideas for small churches is designed to help you engage your community and grow your church without breaking the bank.
These outreach ideas for small churches can transform how your congregation interacts with the community. With prayerful planning and a heart to serve, even the smallest church can have a lasting impact. Outreach isn’t about big budgets—it’s about big love, consistency, and showing up where people are.
Practical and Effective Outreach Ideas for Small Churches
1. Host a Community Game Night
Game nights are inexpensive and offer a casual way to connect with people of all ages. Invite neighbors, provide simple snacks, and use board games, trivia, or card games to create a welcoming atmosphere.
2. Start a Free Coffee Station
Set up a table with coffee and pastries in front of your church one morning a week. Add a sign that says “Free Coffee—Just Because.” This small act of kindness can lead to meaningful conversations.
3. Offer a Monthly Movie Night
Use your church’s fellowship hall or sanctuary to show family-friendly or faith-based movies. Encourage attendees to bring friends and offer popcorn and drinks.
RELATED: Outreach Ideas for Youth
4. Partner with Local Schools
Many schools need volunteers for tutoring, mentoring, or after-school activities. Partnering with a local school is one of the most impactful outreach ideas for small churches.
5. Create a Neighborhood Prayer Walk
Organize small groups to walk through neighborhoods, quietly praying for the homes they pass. Leave a card at the door that says, “We prayed for your home today. Let us know how we can help or pray more specifically.”
6. Start a Community Garden
If your church has outdoor space, turn part of it into a garden. Invite neighbors to participate and share the produce with those in need.
7. Host a Free Yard Sale
Gather gently used items from your congregation and offer them for free to anyone in the community. It’s a generous gesture that helps meet practical needs.
8. Do a “Kindness Blitz”
Assemble small teams to perform acts of kindness in the community—paying for someone’s coffee, helping someone carry groceries, or handing out encouraging notes.
9. Sponsor a Local Sports Team
Offer to support a youth sports team with snacks, water bottles, or even T-shirts. Attend games and cheer them on as a visible sign of support.
10. Celebrate Local Heroes
Schoolteachers are heroes. So are Pre-school workers, or those who serve at nursing homes. What is closer to the heart of the gospel than loving and serving others? Celebrate your local heroes!
Find ten more outreach ideas for small churches on Page Two . . .
