ServeNC Week is almost here, or maybe your church is already serving. Here's how to celebrate and share what God is doing through your church.

ServeNC Week (Aug. 2-9) is just around the corner or already underway for some churches. Now’s the time to plan for and prepare how your church will share your ServeNC Week stories with your community. Hundreds of churches are getting ready to step out and serve their communities this summer, and every act of service is worth celebrating.

Psalm 105:1 reminds us to “proclaim His deeds among the peoples.” As we witness God move in incredible ways through simple acts of service, we should consider how we can share this testimony of God’s grace with others. We want everyone to know the power and the hope of the gospel. Telling our stories to others can help us toward that end.

Whatever your church’s plans are for ServeNC Week, every project is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. As we love our neighbors and meet real needs, let’s speak of the ways God is at work. 

Here are four ways you can share your ServeNC testimony:

1. Share at church

Start by telling the story right at home: your local church. After your ServeNC project wraps, hold a “Celebration Sunday” to share stories, give thanks and pray over your community impact. Find ways to involve your whole church and give volunteers opportunities to contribute with their personal reflections.

Here are some additional ideas you can try:  

  • Share video or written testimonies from volunteers
  • Display photos and project highlights in your lobby or newsletter
  • Host a prayer gathering focused on ongoing needs
  • Invite volunteers of all ages to share their experiences with the church family

2. Post on social media 

Social media is one of the fastest ways to spread the good news about what God is doing in your community. Be sure to tag @ncbaptist and @baptistsonmission and use the hashtag #ServeNC so others can find and share your story.

Here are some helpful pointers to consider while planning your social media engagement:

  • Photos – Share clear images of your team serving. Get permission before posting photos of others.
  • Videos – Keep them short and meaningful. Ask volunteers questions like:
    • “Why did you serve today?”
    • “What impact are you seeing in your neighborhood?”
  • Captions – Keep them short. Try the “3 Ws”:
    • Who are you serving? 
    • Where? 
    • What are you doing?

For tools and more resources about social media practices, check out the N.C. Baptist communications toolkit.

3. Reach out to local news

Let your entire community see how the church is making a difference. Contacting your local news station or paper might be easier than you think, and it’s a great way to highlight how your church is serving.

How to get started:

  • Find a reporter or editor’s contact information on their website (look for “submit a tip” or “contact us”)
  • Write a simple, clear email subject line (Ex: “Local church serves 200 families through ServeNC project”)
  • Include details like what your church did, how many volunteers participated, and why it matters to the community
  • Offer interviews with a pastor, project leader or volunteer
  • Link to your website or social posts for more context
  • Include a main contact person and their phone number and/or email address

If you need help writing a press release or finding contacts, we can help. Send us an email at submissions@ncbaptist.org.

4. Tell N.C. Baptists

We want to hear your stories. Share how your church is making a difference in your neighborhood. You can:

Help us tell the bigger story of how N.C. Baptist churches are living on mission together across the state. The ServeNC Playbook includes ideas for service projects, a prayer guide, social media guide and more resources to help you prepare for ServeNC Week. Download it here.

There’s still time to join. If your church hasn’t yet signed up for ServeNC Week (Aug. 2-9), or if another week works better for your schedule, you can still participate. Every act of service counts, from large, churchwide efforts to a small group project.

Sign up today at servenc.com.