A musically talented teen from a dusty border town wants to compete in the upcoming district Fine Arts event, but his family has no vehicle and can’t afford an overnight trip.

The student’s youth group rallies around him, washing cars, selling baked goods, and scraping together enough cash to rent a van and cover the cost of a hotel room.

When the teen receives a superior rating and an invitation to the National Fine Arts Festival, he is overjoyed. However, his excitement quickly dissolves into disappointment as he realizes such a long trip is simply out of reach financially. No bake sale could bridge that gap.

The teenager’s undeniable, God-given talent remains stuck in the border town, constrained by a lack of financial resources.

As pastors in El Paso, Texas, my husband and I have encountered such scenarios more times than we can count.

Financial Barriers

For many young people in our churches and communities, poverty is a daily reality. They face a life defined by limitations.

Normal experiences other students enjoy — joining sports teams, attending music lessons, or participating in out-of-town trips — can seem to the poor less like opportunities and more like insurmountable obstacles.

When details such as transportation, registration fees, and the cost of equipment bar the way, the potential of these students remains untapped.

The loss of activities that build social skills and foster personal growth perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage, further limiting the chances of breaking free from financial hardship.

And when young people miss out on church experiences, the losses can have eternal implications.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 15.3% of Americans aged 18 and under lived in poverty during 2023.

The 2024 U.S. poverty threshold for a family of four with two children was $31,812. There are likely families fitting that description in your church.

Poverty rates are highest among Black, Hispanic, and Native American or Alaska Native populations. Notably, 44% of Assemblies of God adherents identify as racial or ethnic minorities.

In A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Ruby K. Payne identifies 15 subcultures that illustrate how economic classes operate by different rules.

Payne explains that within the subculture of time, the poor prioritize the present, the middle class values the future, and the wealthy emphasize traditions and history.

Immediate basic necessities — including food, shelter, and safety — dominate the attention of those in poverty.

Biblical Mandate

Many Christians came to faith as children or teens. These are formative years for shaping the next generation of believers.

Events like camps, youth conferences, missions trips, and retreats offer transformative experiences where young people can encounter God, build relationships, and grow spiritually.

However, those opportunities often come with financial costs that are prohibitive for lower-income families, leaving their children on the sidelines. This creates a subtle but real divide, despite the calls in Scripture for unity and harmony within the body of Christ.

A financially inclusive youth ministry isn’t just a practical necessity. It’s a biblical priority that reflects the heart of God.

The Bible consistently reveals God’s concern for the poor and marginalized, a theme that should shape every aspect of church life, including youth ministry.

The Bible consistently reveals God’s concern for the poor and marginalized, a theme that should shape every aspect of church life, including youth ministry.

God commanded Israel to care for the needy and vulnerable (Leviticus 19:10; 25:35; Deuteronomy 14:28–29; 15:7,11; 24:12–15).

In addition to promoting justice and compassion, these principles ensured everyone had an opportunity to participate in community life and celebrate God’s blessings (Deuteronomy 16:14).

In the New Testament, Jesus embodies this by welcoming outcasts, dining with tax collectors, and teaching that the Kingdom belongs to the “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3).

The Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15–24) drives the point home. When the invited guests refused to come, the master sent his servants to bring in “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame,” ensuring no one was excluded from the celebration (verse 21).

The Early Church embraced this inclusive spirit. Acts 2:44–45 describes believers holding “everything in common” and selling property to meet one another’s needs — a radical commitment to unity across economic lines.

James warns against favoritism in the Church, asking, “If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:3–4).

When youth events exclude students due to financial barriers, we risk creating a modern-day version of this favoritism, prioritizing those who can pay over those who cannot.

Including everyone isn’t just a nice gesture, but a biblical mandate that demonstrates God’s character and promotes the unity of His body.

Inclusive Solutions

Making youth activities financially inclusive requires intentionality, creativity, and a willingness to rethink traditional approaches.

Start by considering the following three practical solutions.

1. Scholarships. Establish a scholarship fund where you can collect church donations, district contributions, and sponsorships from local businesses.

Use this fund to help students attend Fine Arts, missions trips, camps, and other church-related events. Encourage congregants to invest in the next generation by making regular contributions, and report back to them about what God is doing through their donations.

Keep the application process for needy families discreet and simple to avoid embarrassing anyone.

2. Low-cost alternatives. Reimagine expensive events by creating budget-friendly options. Instead of a weeklong camp, plan a three-day event.

During the next day trip, pack a picnic meal for the group so everyone can save on eating out. Set up a sundae bar in the church’s student area or fellowship hall instead of going to an ice cream shop after the youth meeting.

3. Tiered options. Offer flexible participation levels for big events. Alongside a weeklong missions trip, provide a free weekend option or one-day local service project.

Having more options allows youth from all backgrounds to engage at a level their families can afford, maintaining inclusion without compromising the experience.

Additionally, this can make it easier to accommodate families with conflicting activities.

Celebrate and honor the ministry contributions of everyone who participates, no matter the commitment level.

Some people might object that these solutions devalue events or burden congregants with donation requests.

Address such concerns by graciously emphasizing that inclusion strengthens ministry, and shared sacrifice is part of biblical community.

It’s possible to uphold core values of youth activities — including fellowship and spiritual growth — while keeping participation affordable.

A financially inclusive youth ministry isn’t optional, but essential.

By prioritizing financial accessibility, we can give every young person an opportunity to experience the life-changing power of Christian community — regardless of income or need.

When young people from different socioeconomic backgrounds worship alongside one another, they learn an important lesson: The gospel doesn’t discriminate, and neither should we.

In a culture where wealth often divides, a youth ministry that welcomes and includes everyone stands as a powerful witness to God’s kingdom — where all are invited, and none are turned away.

This article appears in the Spring 2025 issue of Influence magazine.