The Power of Small Gestures: How Donuts Build Ministry Bridges
Sometimes the most strategic ministry move is as simple showing up with donuts.
4-minute read
Gospel Imperative
Ministry isn't always about dramatic moments—it's often about consistent small acts of service that communicate value. Jesus didn't just preach to crowds; He fed them, touched them, and met practical needs. When we serve people in tangible ways, we create relational space where spiritual conversations become natural rather than forced.
"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." — 1 Corinthians 10:31
At our recent FCA golf tournament, we had a problem: nine dozen donuts left over. Someone asked me, "Would you take these to your schools?" So, I loaded my car with three dozen for Madison High School, three dozen for Roosevelt, and three dozen for MacArthur.
It was just donuts. But it opened doors that formal introductions never could.
I walked into each school and said, "Hey, thank you for letting me be part of your campus. Is there any way I can help?" The front desk personnel were grateful. The administrators appreciated the gesture.
Here's what happened next at Madison: they asked if I would be a substitute teacher in the future.
Think about that progression. I'd been showing up to their campus regularly, building relationships at practices, leading and equipping coaches to lead devotionals. But the donut delivery? That pushed things over a threshold. Substitute teaching would mean I'm on campus frequently, building relationships with students and staff beyond just FCA participants.
This is how ministry grows—not through perfectly executed programs, but through small gestures that accumulate into trust.
I could have declined those donuts. Someone else could have delivered them. It would have been easier to just go home after the tournament. But I've learned that effective ministry happens in the margins—the unplanned moments, the extra effort that doesn't appear in any job description, the willingness to see opportunities where others see inconvenience.
Effective ministry happens through ministry of presence.
Roosevelt's thriving student-led huddles didn't start with a kickoff event—they started with countless small gestures that built trust over time.
Ministry opportunities are everywhere, but we often miss them because we're waiting for the big moments. We overlook the power of bringing coffee to a coach, staying after practice to help clean up, delivering leftover food, offering to help with administrative tasks, or any of the hundred small ways we can demonstrate that our presence isn't transactional.
When I walked into those schools with donuts, I wasn't thinking, "This will get me invited to substitute teach." I was thinking, "How can I serve these people who are allowing me access to share the Gospel with their students on campus?" The opportunity that followed wasn't the goal—it was the natural result of consistent small service.
Heart Check
When was the last time you served someone without expecting anything in return? Are you overlooking small opportunities because you're waiting for significant platforms?
What "donuts" in your life could become bridges to deeper relationships? What resources, time, or abilities do you have that could serve others in unexpected ways?
Do you view relationship-building as a means to ministry, or as ministry itself? How might your approach change if you saw every small gesture as God’s kingdom work rather than just groundwork?
Fund Flexible Ministry
The most effective ministry rarely follows predictable scripts. Right now, I'm building relationships at five new schools, and that groundwork requires freedom to respond to moments that can't be scheduled or planned. Consistent support from donors gives me the flexibility to say yes to unexpected ministry opportunities on campus. Will you consider investing in the ministry that happens in the margins?