We are a community where youth and their families encounter God and are invited into a deeper love for God and neighbor.
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Age Groups
Middle School
Includes 6th through 8th grade, with a focus on teaching the basics of the faith, with the goal of building a foundation on which the middle schooler can learn to live their life of faith.
High School
Includes 9th through 12th grade, with teaching that includes more discussion and small groups, with the goal of helping teens apply their faith to their real-life situations.
Our Vision Is...
To be a multigenerational community where youth and their families experience love, belonging, mentoring, transformation, and a place to serve and use their gifts for God’s kingdom and the church.
We Value
Holistic Transformation- The invitation to follow Jesus is a life-long journey of growing in our love for God, ourselves, and neighbor. Throughout this journey, our lives are changed as the Holy Spirit births in us the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control). (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 5:22-23)
Deep Faith- We believe the goal of student ministry results in teens and their families developing a life-long faith that results in spiritual maturity. To deepen our faith, we believe that youth and families should grow in their understanding of who God is and how God has invited us to live as a community and individual. We hope to provide opportunities for families to grow through worship, spiritual disciplines, community, service, and deep conversations. (Hebrews 5:13-6:3, James, 2:14-26, 1 Peter 3:15)
Christlike Love- Love defines the life of the Christian, and the foundation of this love is the love God has for creation. This love is most clearly seen through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. In response to this love, we are called to live lives that reflect Christ’s love to God, neighbor, and ourselves. ( Matthew 22:36-40, 1 John 4:7-21, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Family Partnership- We believe that families are called to be the primary faith influencer in the life of their children. The church and youth ministry are invited to partner with parents in discipling youth. If a teen does not have a family committed to faith development, it is the church's job to step in and become the primary faith influencer for that teen. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Proverbs 22:6)
Radical Belonging- All people, no matter their past or where they find themselves on the faith journey have a seat at the table. We believe that ALL humans were created in and bear God’s image and therefore have meaning and belonging. Because of this, we encourage each person to express their own God-given gifts, talents, and identity (Genesis 1: 26-27, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
Christian Community- We believe that the Christian faith is a communal faith and invites us into community with other Christians. God gives this community as a gift and uses it to help us learn and practice what it means to be a follower of Christ. We strive to be a multigenerational and multiracial community in which all people are welcomed. (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:19-25)
Sacrificial Service- Christians are not called to live for themselves but are called to be a blessing to others. We believe this service is sacrificial because it reflects Christ’s love and service. Because of this, we are committed to serving and pursuing justice in our community and the world. (Genesis 12:1-3, Matthew 20:26-28, 25:35-40)
Faith Resources- We believe that the Christian faith is lived out in daily practices. These practices help us know and experience God in our everyday life. We are committed to helping families and teens find spiritual disciplines that help them grow in God’s grace and love. Some of the spiritual disciplines we are committed to are prayer, rest, Scripture, service, baptism, and gratitude. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 1 Timothy 4:7-8)
Story- Each person has a unique story and is called to participate in God's story of redemption. We believe God has entered into humanity's story so that we can enter into God's story, and that story is a way in which we can know and encounter God. We encourage each person to find God in their story, share their story, and invite others into the story of God. (John 4:28-30, 39-42, Ephesians 2:1-10)
Deep Faith- We believe the goal of student ministry results in teens and their families developing a life-long faith that results in spiritual maturity. To deepen our faith, we believe that youth and families should grow in their understanding of who God is and how God has invited us to live as a community and individual. We hope to provide opportunities for families to grow through worship, spiritual disciplines, community, service, and deep conversations. (Hebrews 5:13-6:3, James, 2:14-26, 1 Peter 3:15)
Christlike Love- Love defines the life of the Christian, and the foundation of this love is the love God has for creation. This love is most clearly seen through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. In response to this love, we are called to live lives that reflect Christ’s love to God, neighbor, and ourselves. ( Matthew 22:36-40, 1 John 4:7-21, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Family Partnership- We believe that families are called to be the primary faith influencer in the life of their children. The church and youth ministry are invited to partner with parents in discipling youth. If a teen does not have a family committed to faith development, it is the church's job to step in and become the primary faith influencer for that teen. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Proverbs 22:6)
Radical Belonging- All people, no matter their past or where they find themselves on the faith journey have a seat at the table. We believe that ALL humans were created in and bear God’s image and therefore have meaning and belonging. Because of this, we encourage each person to express their own God-given gifts, talents, and identity (Genesis 1: 26-27, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
Christian Community- We believe that the Christian faith is a communal faith and invites us into community with other Christians. God gives this community as a gift and uses it to help us learn and practice what it means to be a follower of Christ. We strive to be a multigenerational and multiracial community in which all people are welcomed. (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:19-25)
Sacrificial Service- Christians are not called to live for themselves but are called to be a blessing to others. We believe this service is sacrificial because it reflects Christ’s love and service. Because of this, we are committed to serving and pursuing justice in our community and the world. (Genesis 12:1-3, Matthew 20:26-28, 25:35-40)
Faith Resources- We believe that the Christian faith is lived out in daily practices. These practices help us know and experience God in our everyday life. We are committed to helping families and teens find spiritual disciplines that help them grow in God’s grace and love. Some of the spiritual disciplines we are committed to are prayer, rest, Scripture, service, baptism, and gratitude. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 1 Timothy 4:7-8)
Story- Each person has a unique story and is called to participate in God's story of redemption. We believe God has entered into humanity's story so that we can enter into God's story, and that story is a way in which we can know and encounter God. We encourage each person to find God in their story, share their story, and invite others into the story of God. (John 4:28-30, 39-42, Ephesians 2:1-10)
We Want Graduates To Have...
- A life-long commitment to loving Jesus and loving like Jesus
- A faith that is deep and is resourced with spiritual practices from which to draw
- A desire to be part of and lead in a community of faith
- At least five adults who have poured into their life during their teen years
- An experience of serving in our local church and community
- An understanding of who they are and how God has uniquely gifted them
- An opportunity to wrestle with difficult questions
- A willingness to show Christ's love to their family, friends, and the world around them