COMMUNITY ENGAGeMENT

Students are the future of every community.

Because of your concern, you are in a perfect position to help students become the best they can be. As Christians, we know that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ makes all the difference in our lives, and He will do the same in any student. We must come alongside our local schools to serve them in creative ways.

Hear from the Bauers on the impact of Youth Alive.

THIS IS BIGGER THAN US!

Next Steps to Engaging In Your Community
Contact YA for community engagement tools
Contact Kyle for rules of engagement within the community.
Ask Kyle:
  • Why do we need to engage in community and our local schools?
  • What has worked across our state when it comes to community engagement?
  • Where do I start in engaging in our community?
  • What resources are available?
Align with Your Pastor’s Vision
Before reaching the school, start with alignment.
Ask your pastor:
  • What is your heart for our community and schools?
  • How can I be an extension of our church’s mission within our community?
Build Relationships in Your Community
Ministry flows out of relationships and relationship takes time
Practical ways:
  • Know and pray for yourself to school administrators
  • Show Up - Attend games, concerts, and community events
  • Pray regularly for schools, teachers, and students (Prayer Zone Partner)
  • Become a trusted and visible presence in the community.
Listen to Students
Students understand their campus better than anyone.
Ask students:
  • What challenges are students facing at school?
  • Where do you see hurt, loneliness, or pressure?
  • What opportunities exist to bring hope to your campus?
  • Identify students who are ready to be missionaries to their school.
Equip Students to Reach Their School
Give students tools to reach their friends.
Examples:
  • Start or strengthen a campus club
  • Train students to share their story
  • Encourage intentional friendships and prayer
  • Provide Youth Alive resources and support
Support and Sustain the Mission
Stay involved and keep momentum going.
Ways to support:
  • Pray regularly for students and schools
  • Celebrate stories of impact
  • Provide mentorship and encouragement
  • Connect students with Youth Alive resources

EMAIL KYLE
Circle Tour
Prayer Zone Partners Circle Tour is an annual event that happens the last week of August leading up to Labor Day weekend. The tour has  the sole purpose of riding to and praying for every public high school in Minnesota.  It is a one-week tour of motorcyclists, riding the entire state to set foot on and praying for each school district at their high school.  You don’t have to have a motorcycle to join the tour just a desire to pray for students.  

 The week takes place every year leading up to Labor Day Weekend. If you would like to join us for the Tour, you can register below.

If you would like to pray for the schools in your area during this week, let us know and we can let you know when our riders will be arriving to your public school.

EMAIL RICHARD
Prayer Zone Partners
Prayer Zone Partners is a good way for any adult or student to get involved with praying for schools, administration, faculty, and students across Minnesota as well as their own community.  

The concept is simple. Every time you drive through a school zone, see a school bus or students; use it as a reminder to pray for your school and those inside.   The few minutes or seconds you pray may be the only time a student is brought before the Lord in prayer.  You will be used to change a student’s life.

FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO BECOME A PRAYER ZONE PARTNER

BECOME A PRAYER ZONE PARTNER

Submit
PARENTS

HOW CAN I PARTNER WITH MY STUDENT…

  • You can encourage students in developing their leadership skills. You are not the leader; you are their cheerleader.
  • Pray for your student and pray for open doors. Pray for Boldness.
  • Supply yummy goodies, one thing that helps get any kid up in the morning is knowing that there is food ready to eat. Buy some donuts or make a warm fall drink (coffee or hot chocolate).
  • Encourage your teen to help them stay on track to organize See You At The Pole. This can be a big undertaking and a little encouragement from someone to keep them motivated helps.
  • Share with us what your student accomplished at their school and with their friends. You can do that on our SYATP page for students where they can share how their SYATP went.

What you can do:

  • Answer questions about your faith or personal beliefs in age-appropriate ways without proselytizing.
  • Pray, read the Bible or have a spiritual conversation with colleagues when appropriate (e.g. when not interfering with your duties as an educator).
  • Teach about religion (including using the Bible) in a neutral, non-devotional manner.• Attend student-led religious activities in a non-participatory manner.
  • Volunteer with a community ministry to lead religious meetings on your campus after (or before) school.
  • Be a faculty advisor to an official school Christian Club (club must be student-led).
  • Supplement your curriculum with religiously neutral outside sources to bring perspective.
  • Ensure that faith-informed opinions of students are treated with respect.
  • Express your faith personally in ways that clearly do not carry the endorsement of your school district, like wearing a cross necklace or placing a Bible on your desk.
  • Include religious music and literature in curriculum if it has an academic purpose and is balanced with other selections.
  • Additional Resources at Christian Educator Association

What you can NOT do:

  • Lead prayer, Bible reading, or other devotional activity with students during your duties as an educator.
  • Use your position as an educator to promote religion (or non-religion) to students.
  • Inhibit student religious expression.
  • Treat student religious expression differently than non-religious expression.
  • Treat non-religious clubs differently than non-religious clubs.
  • Be insubordinate to supervisors if they attempt to limit your religious freedoms—do as directed and then contact Christian Educators Association.
  • Check out our Legal Resources for clarity on any of these statements
EDUCATORS