At Gates High School, Serve Day is more than a school activity. It is a chance for students to step into something bigger than themselves, to give back to the community, and to see familiar adults—like us—in a completely new light.

This year, I joined a group of students who chose to serve at Amara, a local organization that supports youth and families. Our task was to clean out an old barn on their property, preparing it for a future renovation. The work was dusty and physical, but it did not take long for conversation to begin.

Two other members of our Youth for Christ team, Eldie and Natasha, were serving at different sites with other student groups. Eldie helped out at the Franklin Pierce Farm, while Natasha stayed at the school to assist students in baking treats to give away. Although we were spread across various locations, we were united in one mission: to serve shoulder to shoulder with students, not simply to supervise, but to participate fully.

Many of the students we worked alongside are part of our weekly mentor groups. At Gates, we lead four of these groups—two led by men and two led by women—and we are building consistent, meaningful relationships with students. Serve Day offered something unique. It gave us the opportunity to step outside of the usual format and engage students in a different way. This was not about leading a program; it was about scrubbing walls, hauling debris, and simply being present.

While we were working, I noticed one student standing by himself. His name was Seth. I had never met him before. He seemed quiet, maybe a bit unsure, so I walked over and started a conversation. We talked about music—what he listens to and what he plays. He told me he plays guitar but has been thinking about switching to bass. We also talked about the renovation plans at Amara. An architect had stopped by earlier to collect student input, asking them to sketch their ideas for the redesigned space. Seth had some thoughtful ideas, and I encouraged him to draw them out.

That moment might not seem significant, but these are exactly the kinds of moments we look for—the quiet, often overlooked exchanges where trust begins to form. Sometimes they happen while holding a shovel. Sometimes they happen over a drawing. But they matter. 

Before we wrapped up, I told Seth about our weekly mentorship group. “You should come by,” I said. He nodded and replied, “Yeah, maybe I will.”

That is why we do this. Serve Day is not just about getting work done. It is about building relationships in the process. When we serve alongside students, we are not just inviting them to show up—we are showing up ourselves. We lead by example, not only in words but by being present.

When students see us working with them, laughing together, talking about music, or simply listening, it creates space for something deeper.

It might begin with a conversation about bass guitars. But it can grow into trust, mentorship, and possibly, transformation.