Life.  In some aspects, it’s too short.  In others, it is long.  Either way, we believe every breath we take belongs to God, and we want teenagers living each day with this perspective.  Jesus said, “If any man would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me,” (Luke 9:23).  This verse is the centerpiece of our Student Ministry and the source of our Vision:helping students become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.  We work to accomplish this vision through strong Bible teaching and by providing opportunities for our students to build Strong Bonds with one another, and to grow a Deep Faith in and have a Bold Witness for Jesus Christ.  In this lifelong road trip we have scheduled three weekly pit stops that support our students and the vision we have for them…

Small Groups, Sundays, 9:45 am

                Students meet together with their Small Group Leader each week to pray, study God’s Word, and strengthen their relationships with their Christian peers.  It is here that students commit together to reach out to their unsaved friends.

H.O.P.E., Sundays, 6:00 pm

                Teenagers need friends who can offer them Christian accountability.  The H.O.P.E. hour is devoted to holding our students accountable to the basic disciplines of the Christian life: personal study of God’s word, a commitment to share the gospel, an ongoing prayer life, and a commitment to biblical fellowship. 

Innerstate923, Wednesdays, 7:00 pm

                The Innerstate refers to the inner self, the state of your spiritual direction in life.  We challenge teenagers to follow Christ according to Luke 9:23, in that they deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow him.  Living by these words of Christ keeps one on the right road, heading in the right direction.  If a student gets off track, he needs only to look to Luke 9:23.  When obedient to this verse, teenagers will find themselves going in God’s spiritual direction.  We call this right direction Innerstate923.  This hour is devoted to inspiring students to build strong bonds, grow a deep faith, and have a bold witness for Jesus Christ.

Excursions (Events)

                A racecar driver learns a great deal by observing, but at some point he has to drive the car.  Throughout the year we host events, which provide opportunities for students to “drive the car.”  Each event focuses on and supports one of the three strategy points by helping students either build strong bonds with one another, grow a deep faith in Christ, or exercise a bold witness for Jesus Christ.