Our vision for Youth Ministry is that every youth finds their place. We believe that every youth is uniquely gifted and created by God to hear God, experience God and serve God in their own way. This isn't a one-size-fits-all Youth Ministry. It's our honor to guide them as they discover for themselves the fullness of life in God's love.
December 15, 5 - 6:00 pm | Youth Center
Youth and Children who've lost a loved one this year are invited to remember them before the Christmas holiday. We will spend our time reflecting and remembering those we’ve lost by making special Christmas ornaments.
December 18, 2019 - 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Youth Center
All ages will join together to spread hope and joy to folks who are in Nursing Facilities or unable to leave home. Bring your best Christmas Joy! Neighbors, friends, and others are welcome to join us!
Confirmation is an important milestone in the spiritual life of your 8th grade child. It is time of exploration, study and learning which leads to your child deciding for him or herself if they feel ready and called to publicly take the vows that were made on their behalf at their baptism and become a member of the United Methodist Church.
Because your youth will become a lifelong follower of Jesus.
Research shows that the teenage years are one of the most important factors for choosing to be a lifelong follower of Jesus. From ages 18 to 24, over half of those who grow up in the church will choose to stop going. Some will return later in life while others will walk away from faith completely. But the church has an important role to play in growing lifelong Jesus followers. In churches where young people feel that are valued, loved and empowered by the church, young people choose to follow Jesus. In youth ministries where youth are given the opportunity to grow into their full spiritual selves and to make their faith their own (rather than their parents’ or their church’s or their youth leaders’), young people choose to follow Jesus. One of our biggest goals at Christ Church is to give youth experiences that will help them find the Jesus story so compelling, so revolutionary and so life-changing, that they will be Jesus followers for life.
Because your youth will find purpose.
Our Youth Ministry will help youth build confidence and discover their gifts. One thing that youth ministry offers that almost nothing else can is an opportunity to understand the meaning behind what we do with our lives. As youth grow into young adults, their interests, hobbies and friend groups may change. But as they go through life, one thing that can help them build a solid foundation is being a part of a community of faith like the church, where they can ask big questions, work out their doubts and struggles, and come to a deeper understanding of who they are in God’s eyes. Philippians 2 says to “work out your salvation,” meaning that faith is a lifelong journey that we can start right now!
Because your youth will make friends.
More and more, research shows that youth are more isolated than ever before. Even though we are more connected than ever before through the internet and social media, we miss out on a true community of people who can laugh with us, cry with us and journey with us through life’s highs and lows. While youth are a part of many groups and teams, youth group is one place where they can actually be themselves and share what’s really going on in their lives. The writer of Galatians tells us to “bear one another’s burdens and in so doing, fulfill the law of Christ.” At youth, we pray for one another and we’re there for one another.
Youth Handbells
Sunday evenings High School 4:00-5:00 pm
Middle School 5:00-6:00 pm
Contact: Ben Williams,
The youth handbell choirs offer an opportunity to learn and play beautiful sacred music. Youth of all ages and musical abilities (beginner to advanced) are welcome to join. Handbell choirs practice each week and play regularly in our Sunday worship services.
Youth Choirs
Sunday evenings Laudate (Middle School) 4:00-5:00 pm
One Voice (High School) 5:00-6:00 pm
Contact: Dan Blosser,
Youth choirs are an opportunity for singers of all abilities to grow their musical abilities and learn to sing as a choir. Our youth choirs rehearse every week and sing regularly in our Sunday worship services. There are also opportunities throughout the year for lock-ins and retreats.
Snack Supper
Sunday evenings 6:00-6:30 pm
All youth and youth choir members can come for a delicious snack supper with friends and youth leaders. Our snack suppers come from local restaurants and are a great deal at only $3 a person. We ask that families sign up online at the beginning of the year. You can pay for the whole year for $100 or pay $50 in the fall and $50 in the spring.
Youth Group, Sunday Evenings
6:30-7:00 pm Devotions and Journey Groups
7:00-7:30 pm Free Play
Youth Group is a chance for all our youth to gather as one body to share a meal and encounter God together. After snack supper, we have a short devotion and spend time in Journey Groups, which are peer groups where youth can share about what God is doing in their lives each week. At the end of the night, we open up the gym and youth center for free play.
Recharge Wednesdays
6:00 - 7:30 pm
6th grade through 12th grade students have fun while they grow closer to God! Students can hang out with friends in the Youth Center, shoot hoops in the gym, play video games, or join one of our special ministries.Youth Hangout will kick-off on Wednesday, August 21 from 6 to 7 pm and then join the adults and children for ice cream in Fellowship Hall from 7 to 7:30.
We believe in nurturing the gifts and passions of our youth and turning their energy into ministries that help build up our church. As a result, we have several ongoing special ministries that all youth are invited to join. We also encourage and work with youth who want to use their passions to create new ministries. If you don’t see something that connects with you but you are interested in creating a new ministry, contact a youth ministry staffer to get started.
Baking Ministry
Meeting Times: Once a month on Sunday | 12:15-2 pm
Contact: Cindy Bagley,
The Baking Ministry meets in the Fellowship Hall Kitchen from 12:15-2 pm. Our baking ministry meets monthly to bake for people (and animals) who need a Blessing! This ministry is for anyone and any age who likes to bake! But beware, we bake from scratch… no mixes allowed!
Basketball (Middle School and High School Boys)
Basketball Contact: Andrea Levreault,
Middle and High School boys can grow closer to God and one another through our middle and high school basketball teams. The basketball season begins in November and goes through March, with games on Saturdays at Beargrass Christian Church.
Gaming Ministry
Wednesday nights | 6:00-7:30 pm
Contact: Brandon Aten,
Gaming ministry is for anyone who likes to take gaming to the next level. Our games are a mix of board games and strategy games. Gaming is not only a great way to make friends but also to dive deeper in our faith.
Scouts
Thursday nights Pack Meetings 5:30-7:00 pm | Troop Meeting 7:00-8:30
Contact: Chris Hughes, , Ross Johnson,
Christ Church has a rich history of supporting Scouting through Pack 317 (children) and Troop 317 (middle and high school youth). Both groups meet on Thursday nights to earn merit badges, work on service projects and grow in their love of God and country. Scouting is now open to both males and females.
This is my first Sunday attending Christ Church. Where do the youth meet?
Youth meet in the Youth Center, located inside Entrance 9 (back of the church).
What security is there for my child?
All youth check-in through our secure system located at the entrance of the Youth Center. All leaders and volunteers undergo background and reference checks as well as emergency and care training through our Safe Sanctuaries program.
What if my child has a disability?
Our leaders are trained to incorporate children of all abilities at every level of church involvement. We work with families to suit the needs of each child.
Youth Ministry Forms
Every participating youth will need a Youth Ministries Family Information Form, a copy of an insurance card, as well as a Student Information Form. Send forms and a copy of your insurance card to Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley or bring them to church in a sealed envelope. Download the Youth Ministry Family Information Form and download the Student Information Form.
10:05 to 11 am | Youth Center
The Youth Center is located at Entrance 9 (the back of the church). Youth check-in using our secure system outside the door to the Youth Center.
We gather for a time of fellowship in the Youth Center and then join our age group.
We gather each Sunday night together to enjoy snack supper, fellowship, worship, games and Journey Groups, our youth small groups.
5 to 6 pm | free time in Youth Center, Game Room and Gym
6 pm | Snack Supper/Big Group Games/Devotion
6:45 to 7:30 pm | Journey Groups
Our Music Ministry offers youth choirs and handbell choirs open to all levels of musical ability. These choirs help lead worship on Sunday mornings and take an annual mission trip, singing and serving across the country.
