In the U.S., most people who accept Christ do so before the age of 18. Though the image of the modern teen can conjure words such as “withdrawn” and “resistant,” many are actually open to hearing the Word of God. With this in mind, what can your church or organization do to reach out to local teens?

Partnering with local public-school Christian clubs can be an effective way to maximize this ministry. Students in these clubs have a wide-open mission field with a ready harvest. Not only are their peers watching them, but teachers and administrators are also observing what these Christians say and do. Though some may be uneasy about sharing Christ on campus, there are many legal ways to do outreach.

Recognizing this mission field, the California School Project (CSP), a non-profit organization in Southern California, has been mentoring Christian junior-high and high-school students for the past several years. They have helped students host 159 Christian rallies at schools throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. In four years, more than 3,600 students have heard the gospel, and more than 500 students have accepted Christ! Though sharing about Christ shouldn’t focus on numbers, these statistics do show the incredible opportunities to reach students on high-school campuses.

Recently, CSP has focused on improving communication with local churches, realizing the need for churches to come alongside students. Youth pastors and churches have played several roles in supporting ministry on public high-school campuses. Here are some suggestions to get your church started:

How do I get in touch with a Christian club at a local school?

Getting in touch with the Christian club and its leadership is an important step. After all, you’re helping them, not taking over their club! Here are some ways you can get in touch with your local school’s club:

• Talk to your youth group members. Which schools do they attend? Are any of them involved with a Christian club on campus? Use your contacts: Do any family members or friends go to local schools?

•Contact your local high school and see if there is a Christian club on campus. If there is, ask for the contact information for the club advisor. Give him or her a call.

•Is See You at the Pole or the National Day of Prayer coming up? Do the schools in your area meet to pray on these days? This might be a great opportunity to meet with the Christians on campus.

Once I contact them, what can I do?

Once you’ve contacted the club advisors, set up a meeting with the club leaders. Listen to their vision and plans for the year; offer your assistance where you can. If necessary, help the club brainstorm some ideas for outreach. Here are five suggestions for how you can help out:

1. Have a youth pastor be a guest speaker at a Christian rally or club meeting.