Let’s talk honestly for a moment—connecting with your local community, especially schools, isn’t always as simple as we hope it’ll be.

As kids' ministry leaders, we know how important it is to invest in the neighborhoods around us. We plan community events, support local businesses, and try to show up in meaningful ways. But in my experience, the most impactful connections come through our local public schools.

That’s where the families are. That’s where the real heart work begins.

But I’ll be the first to admit—it’s not always easy.

Every school district is different. What works in one area may fall flat in another. When I first felt the nudge to reach out to our neighborhood schools, I was ready to jump in with both feet. I knew we had something valuable to offer—support, encouragement, and the love of Jesus. But what I didn’t expect was to hit a brick wall… more than once.

We have two public schools less than half a mile from our church. I thought, “This will be great! They’ll be thrilled someone wants to help.” So, I offered 40 fully packed bags of school supplies. I expected a warm response, but instead I got... silence. Eventually, after reaching out again (this time to the front office staff), I got a polite response and was able to drop off the supplies. They were thankful, but it felt like the relationship ended there.

Still, I wasn’t ready to give up.

At the KidzMatter conference, I discovered Remix Education—an amazing team with high-energy, school-friendly programming that I knew could bless our local kids. Even better, it was quickly approved to be paid for. I thought, “This is it. This is the open door we’ve been waiting for!”

But again… nothing. I contacted both schools, offered the program, and followed up. I even had Matt from Remix reach out himself, thinking maybe the church-to-school connection was the issue. Still, nothing but crickets.

I was discouraged—heartbroken, honestly. I remember asking God, “Why would You give me such a strong passion for this if every door is going to slam shut?”

But here’s the thing I learned: when something really matters, it’s worth fighting for.

So, we tried a new approach. Less “How can we serve your students?” and more “How can we love your staff?” We found out we were approved to send home our VBS flyer (small win!), and I decided to accompany it with a big breakfast spread for the school staff. While I was there, I noticed field day was coming up and asked if they needed anything.

That was our breakthrough moment.

The gym teacher couldn’t believe a church wanted to help. We ended up donating yard games for field day, and that small act of support sparked something. Conversations started. Relationships formed.

Now, two years later, we’ve built a solid relationship with both schools. Each year, we:

• Deliver breakfast during Teacher Appreciation Week (and bring in those VBS flyers!)

• Help supply field day materials

• Provide school supplies when needed

• Have a direct line to principals and staff who now know us—not just as a church, but as a community partner they can count on

And while there are still some doors we’re praying will open (like tutoring, volunteering, or hosting a National Day of Prayer), we’re not stopping. Because this isn’t just about handing out supplies. It’s about building trust. Building relationships. Showing people that we’re here for them—not to gain attendance, but to reflect the heart of Jesus.

If you’ve been trying to figure out how to better connect with your community, I want to challenge you: start with your local schools. Be patient. Be persistent. Be full of grace. And don’t give up when it feels like no one is listening.

The enemy would love for us to throw in the towel. But we have something too important to share—hope, joy, and the saving love of Jesus.

And what better place to start than right in our own backyards?

Jodie Slongo is the Kids' Director at Stony Creek Church in Utica, Michigan, and has been involved in Kids Ministry since her teenage years. When she's not serving at church, she enjoys spending time with her family. One of their favorite activities is visiting the charming town of Frankenmuth, where they go about once a month. They especially love exploring Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas store, where Jodie is always on the lookout for unique or cool ornaments.