The start of the school year isn’t just a restart—it’s a launchpad for revival (Catch the podcast here). As youth leaders, we have a window of opportunity to help students live intentionally for Christ in their schools, teams, and communities. Here are five practical ways to equip them for a strong start.

1. Cast a Bold Vision—and Repeat It All Year

Set a measurable, God-sized goal that can only happen if He moves. Maybe it’s the number of gospel conversations, new believers, or discipleship milestones. Make the vision simple, memorable, and everywhere—on shirts, walls, slides, and in every message.

Example: One ministry set a goal of 2,000 gospel conversations but ended up with over 4,000 after a student shared the gospel with 2,000 Boy Scouts in a single week. When students know the “why” and see the vision consistently, they’re more likely to own it.

2. Challenge Students to Go Big—Then Train Them

Don’t just inspire students—equip them. Reverse-engineer your bold vision into manageable steps (e.g., one gospel conversation per week, starting a Bible study, or leading an FCA meeting). Publicly “send” them as missionaries to their schools or co-ops and pray over them. Provide hands-on evangelism training, even replacing a regular youth night with it so everyone participates.

3. Build Relationships with Local Schools

Effective ministry in schools starts with trust. Instead of showing up with your own ideas, ask school staff how you can serve. This might look like attending sports games, bringing small gifts to office staff, helping with grief counseling, or meeting practical needs (like stocking free Bibles in the library). Your consistent presence opens doors for deeper gospel impact when needs arise.

4. See Teachers and Coaches as a Mission Field

Teachers often carry heavy loads. Encourage students to pray for them, live respectfully, and be a light in the classroom. Challenge them to write letters of encouragement or share their faith when God opens the door.
One powerful example: A group of eighth-grade girls prayed every week for their science teacher who had mocked a student’s faith. By the end of the year, that teacher had come to Christ—unaware the girls had been praying for him all along.

5. Pray for Your Schools

Remind students they may never know the crises that don’t happen because of prayer. Organize prayer walks before school starts, participate in “See You at the Pole,” and encourage students in public, private, and homeschool settings to pray for their peers and leaders. Prayer prepares the ground for revival.

Final Thought
The school year is a natural momentum-builder. By casting a bold vision, training students, building school relationships, reaching teachers, and covering campuses in prayer, we can help students live on mission from day one.



As Ryne often says, “You never know what doesn’t happen at a school because somebody is praying for it.”