Pastor Dino Rizzo Shares Five Ways to Serve Others This Holiday Season

The holidays are one of the most joyful times of the year, but for many people, they can also be some of the hardest. Between financial strain, loneliness, and the pressure to do more, it’s easy to miss the deeper purpose of the season: loving and serving others.

For Pastor Dino Rizzo, founder of Servolution and Executive Director of the Association of Related Churches (ARC), the holidays are one of the best opportunities for churches and individuals to bring hope to their communities.

“People are more open than ever during the holidays,” Rizzo says. “You don’t have to change the world — just look for one person to serve and start there.”

1. Keep It Simple

Rizzo often reminds leaders that serving doesn’t have to be complicated. The most meaningful moments come from simple, thoughtful acts of kindness: bringing a meal to a neighbor, paying for someone’s groceries, or sending a handwritten note of encouragement.

“The holidays aren’t about how much you do, but about how much love you put into what you do,” he says. “Small things done with great love can change someone’s day.”

If you’re part of a church or community group, consider organizing small teams to meet local needs — things like providing Christmas gifts for families, hosting a toy drive, or visiting nursing homes.

2. Make It Personal

According to Rizzo, the most powerful kind of service happens when people slow down long enough to listen.

“Serving is about seeing people,” he says. “When you stop to hear someone’s story, you remind them they matter.”

This might mean spending time with a coworker who’s struggling, inviting a friend who doesn’t have family nearby to share a meal, or volunteering to deliver food boxes in your city. During the holidays, presence often means more than presents.

3. Involve the Whole Family

Serving together can create lasting memories and teach children the joy of generosity. Rizzo encourages families to build traditions that center on giving, not just receiving.

“Your kids will remember the moments you served together,” he says. “When they see you care for others, it shapes their view of what Christmas is really about.”

Simple family projects — like packing stockings for a local shelter or baking cookies for first responders — can make a big impact while keeping the focus on gratitude and compassion.

4. Partner with Your Local Church

Many churches in the ARC and Servolution networks host special community outreaches during the holidays, from meal distributions to clothing drives. Joining an existing effort is a great way to connect with others who share your heart to serve.

“Partnership multiplies impact,” Rizzo says. “When the church comes together, needs get met faster, and people see the love of God in action.”

If your church doesn’t have a serving event planned, consider reaching out to local nonprofits or shelters that could use volunteers during December.

5. Keep the Spirit Going After the Holidays

Rizzo’s final encouragement is simple: don’t let service end when the decorations come down.

“The holidays give us a reason to start, but serving should be a lifestyle,” he says. “When you make it part of your rhythm, it changes you as much as it helps others.”

That’s the heart of Servolution — a movement of everyday people living out kindness all year long. Whether through your church, your workplace, or your own initiative, you can make generosity part of your everyday life.

About Dino Rizzo

Dino Rizzo, a 40-year ministry veteran, co-founded Healing Place Church with his wife, DeLynn, where he served as senior pastor for two decades. Through his passion for inspiring believers to serve their communities, Dino Rizzo founded Servolution and authored “Serve Your City.” Rizzo serves as the Executive Director of ARC (Association of Related Churches), which has planted more than 1100 churches worldwide, and is on the Senior Leadership Team at Church of the Highlands.