We strive to…
Invite youth to a personal relationship with the Triune God.
Challenge youth to grow in their relationship with God through personal devotion, Bible study and Christian discipleship.
Offer youth opportunities to experience their faith through service in mission and worship.
The adult ministry team and the youth establish a relationship, studying the Gospel together in order to nurture their personal relationship with Jesus. Our youth ministry is incarnational.
Sunday School
Sunday school is offered 9:15-10:20 a.m. for children Preschool through 7th grade from September through May (some holidays may not apply – please check North’s website calendar). Our Sunday school teaches Biblical truths, faith stories, and community in a fun and inviting style so children may experience the love of our relational God. Children who attend the sanctuary service are shepherded to their classroom by Sunday school staff immediately following the “Children’s Time” during the service. Parents are also welcome to bring their children to their designated classrooms to begin an action-packed hour of Sunday school.
Wednesday Fellowship
Jr. and Sr. High youth, grades 6-12, meet every Wednesday (September-May) to enjoy fellowship through various activities. They participate in activities such as scripture-based education, games, discussing current events from a Christian perspective, service projects, and exploring the relevance of scripture for daily teen life or mission. Wednesday night fellowship provides a fun way for teens to make a stronger connection with God as well as build lasting friendships. The Wednesday schedule for the youth groups are:
5:45 to 6:00 pm — Youth will gather in the Senior High Lounge for supper. Parents are asked to rotate to provide a meal for each week.
6:00 to 7:00 pm — Junior High Fellowship in the Junior High Lounge.
6:00 to 7:00 pm — Senior High Fellowship in the Senior High Lounge.
7:00 to 7:30 pm — Youth Praise Band practice
Youth Praise Band
The Youth Praise Band is open to youth grades 6-12 with an interest in playing music to glorify God. This group practices Wednesday nights from 7:00-7:30 p.m. in October-April. We make a joyful noise through vocals and a variety of instruments. Youth are welcome to bring their own instruments or use some available at church. The Youth Praise Band performs periodically during the 10:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service.
Summer Workcamp
Pastor James leads the youth and adult youth ministry team in this annual youth mission trip in which love of neighbor is put into action. Workcamp is a fun, action-packed week of making new friends, serving others by repairing homes and growing closer to God through devotions, drama and worship. Since 1977, over a quarter of a million youth have participated in a Group Workcamp with over 90% saying that they have grown closer to God. Returning campers combine their stories, mission experience, pictures, spiritual reflections and time together, into an inspiring worship service for all to share. Summer workcamp is offered to youth who have finished grade 8 and up.
Worship Leadership
The youth are encouraged to share their gifts by being a lay reader at the Sanctuary Worship Service or a part of the Christ Connection Service. The Christ Connection Service invites young people to help plan creative worship on the connection team or help lead worship through, music, drama, art, liturgical dance, sound & video tech, video production and more. The youth plan a youth-lead worship service in the winter and the summer workcamp worship.
Deep Freeze Retreat
Pastor James leads this annual retreat on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend at the Wilderness Fellowship Camp near Frederic, Wisconsin. Youth in grades 8-12 enjoy great food, broomball, sardines, worship, creative, experiential illustrations of scripture, games, fellowship and even a little sleep. Several graduating seniors have commented that these retreats brought them closer to God and helps them live their faith.
Confirmation and Commissioning
Pastor James teaches the fundamentals of the Christian faith and guides each confirmand in practicing daily spiritual disciplines and writing a personal statement of faith. Confirmation includes a weekend retreat and a worship service where youth share a portion of their faith statement and are confirmed. Confirmation confirms the baptism promise made on behalf of the youth by their parents at baptism and commissions them for a life of servant leadership as a disciple of Jesus. The class meets for one year on Sunday evenings and is open to youth grades 8-12.
Summer Camp
The youth are encouraged to enjoy the outdoors, make new friends and experience God by participating in summer camps offered by Presbyterian Clearwater Forest. www.clearwaterforest.org
Presbyterian Triennium
Every three years, thousands of Presbyterian youth gather at Purdue University to share their faith, worship, make friends, have fun and explore their role in the future of our church and the world.
Servant Leadership
Youth are considered adults once they are confirmed and are encouraged to participate in all the ministries of the church.