YOUTH CHRISTIAN FORMATION CLASSES
Our church has a deep passion for youth. We know that the passion energy, and wonder with which they wrestle with their faith are invaluable to the life and ministry of our church. The Youth Ministry seeks to cultivate these gifts in our young people through effective Christian Formation. Our formation classes meet in two year blocks, and each block moves through the entire program together. The program culminates in a pilgrimage to England and Scotland after the students’ Sophomore/ Junior year. This helps create unity, cohesiveness, and a safe environment for students to explore. Classes meet in the Youth Center during the Sunday Christian Formation hour, 10:15-11:00 am
CURRICULUM
The curriculum we use is based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Each week the students in Christian formation study the same readings that they hear in church. This provides an opportunity for students to connect with the Biblical text in a deeper way than they might otherwise. Our format is based on small-group discussions led by passionate adult volunteers and has been wonderfully successful. We move our students through 3 two-year segments currently (this will change to 4 two-year segments with the addition of 6th graders into the youth ministry beginning in the fall of 2012).
YOUTH GROUP FELLOWSHIP
Crossover is our High School (current 9, 10, 11, and 12 graders) youth group. We meet each Wednesday evening in the Youth Center where we share a meal, sing, pray, and learn something about our faith. Crossover operates in 4-5 week series where we can discuss issues relevant to High School students in depth. Doors open at 5:00 pm, dinner is at 6:30 pm, and the program goes from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.
PILGRIMAGE
Every two years, our Senior High students have the option of going on a pilgrimage – a religious journey in which we travel together, looking for God. We get a better understanding of who we are and what God wants us to do with our lives. (Summer of 2013 we’ll be going to Scotland and England.)
OUTREACH OPPORUNITIES
Each summer we go on mission trips. This is an incredible chance to serve God, others and be changed by God. We believe mission trips should be nothing short of life-changing experiences so we make sure to do work that matters and worship God in a way that makes a difference to us and God. In addition to our yearly mission trip, we do things throughout the year to care for the needs of others. We work with organizations like Austin Street Centre, The Stewpot, The International Rescue Committee, The North Texas Food Bank, Dallas Community Gardens, and many others.
