Sunday nights are filled with fun, meaningful connection, and opportunities to grow in faith. Each week includes games, snacks, worship, biblical teaching, and small groups where students can ask honest questions, build authentic friendships, and deepen their relationship with Jesus. Our hope is that every student experiences a place where they belong, are encouraged to grow, and discover just how deeply they are loved by Jesus.
Each year, our high school students lead Sunday morning worship, taking an active role in every aspect of the service—from welcoming the congregation and leading worship to offering prayers, reading Scripture, and preaching God's Word. Youth Sunday is a meaningful opportunity for students to use their God-given gifts to serve the church and witness to the work God is doing in their lives. It has become one of the most anticipated Sundays of the year, celebrating the faith, leadership, and next generation of our church.
Each summer, high school students and leaders embark on an unforgettable shared experience outside of our city. In recent years, we have gone to Memphis and Knoxville, TN, and partnered with the mission organization LeaderTreks. On these trips, we do basic construction home repair for part of our day, with the other part doing relational-focused ministry like VBS. Every four years, we go to Guatemala through the mission organization Casas Por Cristo. During our time there, we build a house for a family. These trips are the highlight of the year!
Each fall, we venture to Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center in Oregon, IL. During this weekend, we stay in a castle and are encouraged amidst our own youth group community through activities, reflection, small groups, worship, and much more. This weekend propels students into more intentional time with God and their friends.
Students look forward to the annual Winter Retreat to Camp Timber-lee in East Troy, Wisconsin. This weekend drives the students forward into greater enthusiasm for their faith and a shared experience for the group. With communal worship sessions and endless outdoor winter activities, these students anticipate this annual weekend.
Going through confirmation is a journey of spiritual formation that takes place over students’ freshmen year. It is an opportunity for students to invest time and energy into their faith development with the support of their parents, pastors, mentor, and church family. Confirmation provides opportunities and experiences that have the potential to propel students into the next steps of their growing life with Jesus. The end goal of this journey is for students to be fully integrated into church life as active members.