We can bring Christ’s compassion to our local schools by showing up and getting involved. Chuck Bomar shares practical ways we can reflect God’s light in local schools.

“You can just show up and say, ‘I live around the corner and I’d like to serve in some way and help maybe once a week,’ or whatever it is. You can do that in the schools, individually, or you can also find out if the district has a formal Resource Center, which many do. That is also a place you can just walk in and say the same thing. I would strongly encourage that engagement.”

There are a variety of ways that we can get involved and make a difference in our local schools. Chuck distinguishes the difference between participating in projects versus programs.

“A project would be something like, you’re going to spread barkdust on the playground in an elementary school. Those kinds of things I think are wonderful if they’re not viewed as an end goal. If your end goal is to go and spread barkdust, it’s going to end with a meaningless feeling. You helped one day, but you’re going to keep asking, what is that accomplishing? What are we doing here? And seems merely humanitarian.”

“If it’s viewed as a means to a larger end, of building a relationship, it’s not just about who you know, but it’s also about who knows you and what posture they see you taking.”

Serving local schools effectively is more about the posture of our heart and the work of God’s hand, than it is about pushing our own agendas.

“If it’s a means of becoming known as a servant and as somebody who wants to help, then projects are a great thing; paint the bleachers, paint the gyms, redo the floors, etc. Those kinds of things are great as a means to a greater end.”

Chuck says that programs differ from projects because they are viewed as an ongoing endeavor. He shares a few practical examples,

“There are some people who have decided to take care of all the band equipment at all of the football games. That’s their ministry and they do that ongoing. Other people take care of a certain sport, and so on. There’s ongoing projects that people can do in a very real practical way, and anybody can do them.”

“These are all ways in which you can build relationships over time where your faith can become known as well as to why you’re doing what you’re doing. I would promote and encourage both programs and projects.”

We can be a part of what God is doing in our local schools by getting involved on a practical level, and using it as an opportunity to share Christ’s compassion with those in need.


Chuck Bomar served almost nine years at Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California before planting Colossae Church in Portland, Oregon in 2008. In addition to pastoring Colossae Church he is founder and leader of two other organizations: CollegeLeader and iampeople. He is the author of .

Serving our local schools