Youth Ministry
Youth of Grace
The Youth of Grace (YoG) is a ministry that embraces students where they are, exposes them to a relationship with Jesus Christ, encourages them towards maturity in their faith, and equips them to give their lives away for the sake of the Gospel.
We value the importance of relational ministry above all other programming. Despite our entertainment-saturated culture, we’re not here simply to entertain youth. Interpersonal relationships are a valuable context for change in a person’s life. We desire to partner with parents in teaching the Scriptures and leading godly lives that ultimately show teens the greatness of God and the love he has for us in Jesus.
STAY CONNECTED
YOG NIGHTS
YoG Nights are filled with singing, teaching, and small group discussion for everyone in the youth group. We begin with some announcements, sing a few songs together, and then break into age-specific small groups led by our amazing volunteer leaders.  Students have the opportunity to connect with one another and grow in their knowledge of God and his Word. YoG Nights happen on Wednesday evenings. Â
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Every Sunday morning during the school year, youth are taught by volunteers and parents. Â The focus is on Scripture and topics essential to growing in the Christian faith. Youth are divided into Middle School Boys, Middle School Girls, and High Schoolers.
RETREATS
Reality Weekend is our fall high school retreat. Â During this weekend, students participate in worship, small group discussions, hear from a guest speaker, play games, and serve in the community. Â It takes place at the church house, and various locations around Lawrence.
Spring Retreat is for middle school students and is held at YouthFront in Edgerton, Kansas. From early morning Jazzercise to late-night capture the flag, this is a fun-filled weekend designed specifically for 6-8th grade students. Students are given many opportunities to experience worship, prayer, small groups, and Biblical instruction to further strengthen their faith.
MISSION TRIPS
VBS MISSION TRIP (7-9th graders)
The best way to describe the VBS Trip is that it’s a Mission Trip that meets Summer Camp. The week starts on Sunday after church and ends on Friday at lunch time.  The youth will serve at our VBS program all morning, eat lunch at the church, then the 7-8th graders bus out to Chihowa Retreat Center (north of Lawrence about 20 minutes) every afternoon where we do all sorts of camp things – games, sessions, small groups, night games, swimming, among other things.  We bus back to church every day. During VBS the youth will be assigned to a particular place to serve all week (they give their preferences in the sign up process). Our last night at camp is Wednesday night because on Thursday after VBS, we go to Worlds of Fun. That night youth will get picked up at church with all of their camp luggage and go home to stay in their own beds. On Friday morning they come back to church and serve the last morning of VBS and are free to go at 1:30p after our closing session in the sanctuary.Â
What about the 9th graders? They do not stay at camp but will serve every morning at VBS then go home each day after lunch. Â They are invited to do the Worlds of Fun afternoon with the group Thursday.Â
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ST LOUIS MISSION TRIP (9-12th graders)
We partner with New City Fellowship (PCA) in St Louis. Â
There are 3 major components of the trip…
Morning – Tutoring:  Our youth will get paired up with a student to help them do their work in a summer class and build a friendship with them throughout the week.     Â
Afternoon – Service/Work:  Our group is divided up into smaller groups and are sent out to do a variety of work projects.  The jobs vary from yard work, to house demo, to learning how to drywall a kitchen, clean a widow’s home, or simply hang out with folks at a retirement home.
Evening – Bible Clubs:  Our group will go to a local park where we host a bible club.  During the club we will play organized group games, lead songs, act out bible stories, share a snack, and do a craft project with them.  This is our chance to clearly share the Gospel with kids and connect on a relational level as well.
