May is here, and June will be knocking before we even catch our breath. Summer has a way of speeding by – kids out of school, families looking for connection, and our communities bursting with opportunities.
That makes this the perfect moment to step in with purpose.
How can we use these warm, energetic months to build bridges, love our neighbors well, and share the hope of the Gospel in ways that are seen, felt, and remembered?
How can we reach September with grateful hearts, knowing we didn’t let the season slip through our fingers, but embraced every God-given moment?
It all starts with intentionality.
Every plan.
Every conversation.
Every opportunity to serve.
Summer won’t last long, but the impact we make can.
So, how do we make this summer a great success?
When my family and I planted Harvest Community Church in Olathe, Colorado, summer meant “go time.” We had several mission teams scheduled for Sports Camps, VBS, and community work projects. But how did this all come together?
It began with intentional, gospel-centered planning. Nothing happens well without a plan. If we want to maintain a gospel presence and make the most of the summer months, we must gather the church and develop a thoughtful, prayerful strategy.
In Olathe, we maximized the impact of visiting mission teams by adopting a well-planned approach. The most effective teams were those that didn’t just plan what they thought would work, but spent time on phone calls and Zoom meetings with me, discussing the best ways to engage our community and spread the gospel.
Second, we need to be intentional about meeting the needs of our community and church. Summer is a great time for fellowship—not inside church walls, but in community parks and public spaces. It’s an ideal season for church in the park, movie nights, block parties, and free meals.
Many families rely on the school system to help feed their children, and during the summer, many kids go without. This creates a powerful opportunity for churches to host park events that offer free food and fun. In doing so, the church can serve, build relationships, and meet new people while sharing the love of Jesus with its neighbors.
This can also be done on a smaller scale within neighborhoods by hosting multiple block parties. It’s a great way to connect with your neighbors and allow God to open doors for the gospel. But for this to happen, we must plan ahead and be intentional about meeting needs.
Third, we must be intentional about keeping the Gospel at the center of everything we do. Summer is a great time to engage our communities, but that engagement must be rooted in the Gospel. Every block party, sports camp, and service project should be designed around opportunities to share Christ.
How does this happen? It begins with training your group to share the Gospel. In Olathe, we trained our church members to build relationships and use that training to open doors for Gospel conversations. It was amazing to see how lives were transformed—both for those sharing the Gospel and for those hearing it.
We also planned events that clearly centered on the Gospel. Many churches host summer events but never follow up or create a plan to share Jesus. If we want to make the most of this summer, that must be our focus.
1 Peter 3:15 reminds us,
“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
So how can your church make the most of this summer?
Lean in with intention – create a plan, meet real needs, and keep the Gospel at the center of every moment. As you step into your community, may everything you do point to the glory of God.
Jeff Bachman is the Regional Director of High Country & Grand Valley Associations.