100 Ways to See, Serve, and Disciple Residents in Apartment Communities

Apartment communities are packed with people: college graduates, single parents, newlyweds, newly divorced, those who work at home, those who commute to work, retirees, teenagers, and people from every walk of life. But even in a community where everyone shares parking lots, amenities, and sometimes even walls, it’s easy to feel isolated, and God can seem far away. That’s why being intentional about seeing, serving, and discipling your neighbors in apartment communities is a big deal.

Think of the list below as your ultimate idea bank for living on mission—without even leaving your hometown.

But first, a quick piece of important advice: Don’t just show up at an apartment community and start implementing ideas from the list. This list is intended for those who have already obtained permission from the property manager to be on property or who are coming alongside a friend/resident/church member who already lives in the apartment community. In addition, many of the ideas listed will need to be approved by the property manager. The ideas below are to get you started and they are not an ending place. If you aren’t sure how to navigate a conversation with a property manager, reach out to us, and we can help.

Now, on with the list!

25 Ways to See Residents in an Apartment Community

Truly seeing people in apartment communities helps us remember that everyone is uniquely valued and deeply loved by God. It encourages us to show kindness, build connections, and care for our neighbors just as we’re called to do.

1. Choose a local apartment community and prayer walk the community. Not sure how or what to pray for? This prayer walking guide will get you started.
2. Drop off flowers for the property manager.
3. Provide treats and host a monthly welcome night for new residents.
4. Read John 4:1-25 and learn more about how Jesus sees people.
5. Pray for residents at apartment communities you drive by throughout the week.
6. Partner with a resident you already know and who already lives in the apartment community, and intentionally spend time outside or in a common area together.
7. Keep a prayer log to document where you see God moving in the community.
8. Learn names and remember them.
9. Learn pet names and remember them.
10. Learn about others engaging in apartment ministry by listening to the podcast What’s Apt?
11. Continuously ask God, “What would you like me to see about this community?” and then wait quietly.
12. Document the new names you have learned on your phone or hey, maybe even on a refrigerator magnet (although this magnet is intended for getting to know people who live in homes, it could be modified for an apartment community).
13. Look at your circle of influence and connections. Is there a free or discounted service you can offer residents?
14. Ask your church to provide small welcome gifts for all new residents and offer to deliver them on a monthly basis.
15. Practice active listening with everyone you come in contact with.
16. Notice barriers to engagement (language, disabilities, transportation).
17. Create a small brochure which can be printed or sent digitally that lists resources in the area such as dog walking services, local attractions, and nearby parks and have it available for anyone who is new to the area.
18. Write a thank you card to the maintenance team for all of the work they do to keep the community running smoothly.
19. Start a Resident of the Month shoutout complete with small gift.
20. Ask God to give you a verse for the community and pray over that verse every time the community comes to mind.
21. Look up passages in the Bible where Jesus takes the time to truly see someone he interacted with, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in truly seeing people in the community.
22. Learn what doors seem closed as you are working to build community, and ask God for guidance on opening them.
23. Ask residents how you can pray for them and then follow up.
24. Host a community appreciation day where you celebrate staff and long-term residents.
25. Create a map of the community to track your prayers.

50 Ways to Serve Residents in Apartment Communities

Loving people starts with meeting practical needs and showing up consistently. Here are 50 ways to make an impact in an apartment community:

1. Don’t assume you know the needs of the community. Ask the property manager for guidance or consider passing out a survey to apartment residents (with permission). Use the survey to guide you in planning intentional community events.
2. Organize a clothing swap.
3. Challenge residents in a Deck Out Your Deck contest for an upcoming holiday and have neighbors vote on their favorite deck.
4. Bring VBS to the apartment community. Your church already has the decorations, lessons, and supplies. Take VBS on the road to a nearby community.
5. Offer a class on budgeting.
6. Come together as a community and create a mural or wall sized piece of art to hang in a community area.
7. Provide a snack basket in the laundry room or other high traffic area in the community.
8. Throw a back to school breakfast for kids in the community.
9. Invite residents to a Crown Financial class your church is hosting.
10. Share about apartment ministry with your small group. Invite them to serve an apartment community along with you, and see what kind of skills and gifts they have to share.
11. Choose a lesson from Axis (possible options include: social media, mental health, relationships) and organize an evening for parents and teens.
12. Include residents in the already established rhythms of your life. Example: Taking your kids to the park or attending an event hosted by your church.
13. Ask a local business for flower donations and create a Bouquet Bar.
14. Host a one week reading buddies club where kids from the community come read with a volunteer.
15. Provide “Dinner on the Go” bags for busy parents.
16. Plan a resume workshop where residents can gather and learn how to write or improve already existing resumes.
17. Create a popsicle stand (think ice cream truck, only it’s stationary!) and pass out popsicles at the same time once a week.
18. Hire a professional photographer to take family photos.
19. Organize a community coat drive and partner with a business in the community to provide coats.
20. Plan a community potluck where everyone who participates brings a favorite dish.
21. Schedule a visit from a local food truck.
22. Volunteer at an apartment community with an already established apartment ministry.
23. Start a shared garden on property.
24. Host a board game night.
25. Organize a pet parade.
26. Create a small food pantry where residents can donate extra food and also take anything they may need. Pass along any unclaimed food to a local food bank.
27. Invite a moms’ group from your church to meet in the community room or in an outdoor space outside and invite the moms to participate.
28. Serve breakfast on the go to residents as they are leaving for work.
29. Organize a community wide garage sale.
30. Partner with a local grocery store or already established farmers market and host a mini market at your apartment community.
31. Organize a movie night utilizing a projector and outside open space.
32. Invite the library or bookmobile for a visit.
33. Find someone in your church who enjoys crafts and create a monthly crafting club for residents to participate in.
34. Start an onsite book club.
35. Plant flowers in a common area and invite residents to join you.
36. Participate in an already established 5K or fun run in your area.
37. Host a school supplies drive for local teachers who serve your community or for students who are a part of your apartment community.
38. Arrange for a CPR class for residents to take.
39. Grab a friend and make frozen meals to drop off to when people people in the apartment community are sick or in need of some encouragement.
40. Celebrate the maintenance team by bringing in treats.
41. Host a grief or recovery group.
42. Gather a crew of people from your church to pick up garbage on property.
43. Set up a lending library onsite.
44. Create an evening for tech help where kids from your church’s youth group help seniors with basic tech skills.
45. Put up a monthly bulletin board where residents can post needs and services.
46. Bring in lunch for the property manager and leasing agents especially at a busy time of the month when they don’t have time to grab lunch (the beginning of the month!).
47. Once a month plan a Sunday evening called Souper Sunday where members from your church bring in homemade soup and sides and residents gather at a potluck.
48. Organize a fitness class for residents. If there is a workout room in the facility, host it there. If not, host the class in an outdoor common space.
49. Create a group of volunteers who will visit residents who are alone or don’t have family in the area.
50. Make use of the amenities your apartment community already has. Example: If there is a basketball hoop, organize a mini basketball clinic for both kids and teens.

25 Ways to Disciple Residents in Apartment Communities

Discipleship isn’t just something that happens in church—it thrives in living rooms, stairwells, and coffee-fueled conversations.

1. Use hospitality to spark spiritual conversations.
2. Start a Discovery Bible Study.
3. Learn about engaging with neighbors and sharing your faith by taking the B.L.E.S.S. microcourse located in our online community.
4. Offer to pray for someone and then do it right there in front of them as soon as a need is known.
5. Have different versions of your story (a 15 second, two minute, and 10-minute testimony) and be prepared to share each version.
6. Model generosity.
7. Ask the property manager, leasing agents, and maintenance staff how you can pray for them.
8. Read the Bible one on one with someone.
9. Hold a Bible study in a shared space.
10. Use an app that promotes discipleship and deep conversations such as the Bible Project, Pray as You Go, YouVersion.
11. Mentor a young believer in the building.
12. Share a book that discusses spiritual growth.
13. Talk about Jesus as an everyday part of life.
14. Use stories to share the gospel.
15. Share about something you heard on a recent podcast and how it ties to your faith.
16. Invite neighbors to church either in-person or online.
17. Memorize scripture together.
18. Share with those in your faith circle about serving in apartment communities and always be on the lookout for people to come alongside you and disciple.
19. Celebrate spiritual milestones (baptisms, new believers, dedications)
20. Share how you see God at work in your life.
21. Be curious and ask spiritual questions, “Do you have a faith background?”
22. Text encouraging words to neighbors.
23. Equip neighbors to disciple others (Timothy 2: 2)
24. Model repentance and ask for forgiveness when needed.
25. Learn how others are discipling people in apartment communities by joining our online community.

Conclusion: Ordinary Places, Extraordinary Potential

Apartment communities aren’t just starter homes or pit stops. They’re mission fields. Whether you’re a young adult, a retiree, a student, or a family of five, God can use you in a local apartment community.

Seeing leads to serving. Serving leads to trust. And trust opens doors for discipleship.

You don’t need a church building or a title. You just need the courage to knock on a door, bake a muffin, or ask someone about their week.

So what will you do this week?

Start small. Stay consistent. Love big.

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This post is based on the webinar entitled 100 Ways to See, Serve, and Disciple Residents in Apartment Communities this Summer (and Beyond!) which can be found in our online community.