Our Youth Ministry is divided into two age groups: the Kids for Christ consisting of students in the 3rd – 6th grade and the Upper RoomTeen Ministry consisting of teens and students in the 7th – 12th grades. The purpose of our youth ministry is to equip our students to hear God’s call to ministry, reach out to unbelieving students and bring them into a community that praises God’s Holy name.
To fulfill our purpose we:
Have weekly Bible classes on Sundays and Wednesdays in order to equip our students from the Bible about the LORD’s redemptive power and how the messages in the stories, letters, prophecies and revelations apply to their lives today. Opportunities are provided for our students and teens to the action love Jesus has called his followers to have in ministry. We reach out and create opportunities for our students and their friends to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Students and teens are encouraged to make time each week for worship and praise not only at “church” but in the way they live their lives. Finally the Kids for Christ and Upper Room Teen Ministry’s are communities where teens and students are open and free to be who they are created to be.
Meeting Times and Purposes for Events of the Youth Ministry
Sunday Morning Bible Class
This is a time to study the Bible verse by verse, in order to equip our teens with Bible knowledge and to apply the stories and teaching to their lives. The classes are divide to help teens and students learn in an age appropriate environment.
Upper Room Sunday Night Live (7th – 12th Grade)
This Upper Room meeting time has two main focuses: outreach and worship. The meeting time begins with a 20-minute time of praise and worship. There is singing, prayer and scripture reading. Then we move into an informal learning time consisting of discussion, thought and exploration.
Kids for Christ Bible Club (3rd – 6th Grade)
Focus is on the application of biblical stories into the lives of the students. It is also time for the kids to strengthen their friendships with others in the church.
Wednesday Evening
This is an opportunity for the students and teens to regroup in the middle of the week to recharge and encourage each other (community).
Three Big Yearly Events for the Upper Room Teen Ministry
Winterfest
This is a mega-youth rally drawing teens from around the country to a life-changing event. This trip has two purposes; first is equipping, each day we are there we learn something new about God and our life with him! The second purpose is praise. It is an awesome experience to worship with nearly 6,000 teens and chaperons!
Summer Mission Trip
Every Summer we take a mission trip. These trips range from work camps, such as the Richmond Work Camp, to taking a VBS to Torrington Ct. The purposes of these trips are ministry and praise. We minister with the hard work we do. In the evenings we praise God in incredible worship experiences.
Fall or Spring Retreat/Camping Trip
This event is designed to help create community and equip teens and students.
Ongoing Events: Kids for Christ & Upper Room Teen Ministry
Sunday Afternoon Outs
This monthly activity follows Sunday morning worship. Some months this is just a fun activity and at other times it is a service project.
Kids for Christ: Main Events
These are bi-monthly Friday or Saturday times for the KFC and their friends to get together. These are fun nights whose purpose is to strengthen community and reach out to others.
KFC/Teen Service Day
These are periodic service events for teens and students to minister and reach out to the community around us or to members of our own church body.