I am always looking for ways to connect with students, but in my ministry context it is hard to connect over the summer. Here are 5 “Summer Connecting” ideas to help you get touchpoints with your students during these sporadic few months.
• Social Media Contest:
Send out a tweet, Instagram pic, status update, or mass text message telling students you will be at a specific location (ex. Starbucks, McDonalds, or Good Burger: Home of the Good Burger). If you have margin in your budget offer to buy for everyone, or just the first 5 to show up.
• Mail a Gift Card:
Just a send letter to a few students you want to connect with and add a gift card. No agenda other than to connect and encourage, this is something that will be remembered.
• Mass Text Message:
I use Simply Youth Ministry TOOLS to text blast my staff and students. Pray for every student by name one morning and send a text blast letting them know you prayed for them. Or break your list down to a more personal, manageable size and text a few a day. If you decide to narrow down your group, you can text pre-prayer and ask for requests.
• Postagram:
Grab a selfie with a student and send it to them with the Postagram app.
Are you connecting with your students in a techy way? Please share how in the comments below.