Get Renewed In The Spirit

Church youth share fellowship and fun at Grace Evangelical Church. - Courtesy of Grace Evangelical Church

By Sheila Phinazee

Why not get the whole family involved in a total makeover--for the mind, body, and
spirit? Several area churches are committed to enriching the lives of society's most often misunderstood--our youth--and have caring people and programs in place to prove it.

Peachtree City

On Sunday Mornings, First Presbyterian Church of Peachtree City students have Bible Study and enjoy family dinner and youth group on Wednesdays. Kids also take part in weekly small groups and special trips with a ski trip in January and a Spring Retreat in March.

Youth Director, Lisa Tedder, has a real soft spot for middle school kids. "This is an important time in life. Unfortunately, they often get left out or forgotten." This won't be the case at First Presbyterian.

Peachtree City United Methodist Church, which hosts several Boy and Girl Scout troops, is committed to developing character and leadership in students. It's Youth Ministry is on a mission: "To creatively engage students so they become passionate followers of Jesus Christ."

Godstuff, held on Wednesday evenings, is a resource to the whole family. This family worship time combines drama, music, dance and Bible lessons "to help school-age kids and their parents make wise choices."

First Baptist Church of Peachtree City strives to show students how "to love God and love people." Its Youth Ministry, called REAL Life, is an acronym for Relationships, Evangelism, Accountability and Life. Large and small group programs are offered with special events like Mission Possible, an outdoor capture-the-enemy's-flag game played at night.

"Parents can check out the ministry's online blog, The Ride Home," says youth ministry assistant, Jennifer Vogel. "It offers discussion ideas for after the Wednesday service."

Fayetteville

Church youth share fellowship and fun at Grace Evangelical Church. - Courtesy of Grace Evangelical Church

Small groups of teens meet for weekly "Huddles" in area homes and Chick-fil-A's for food and fellowship as part of Fayetteville's Grace Evangelical Church Youth Ministry. "The purpose of these groups is to build closer relationships with Christ and with each other," says Andrew Hill, Pastor of Student Ministries.

Large group programs and retreats are also held, and the youth learn to help others on short day projects in the community and longer missions projects in Mexico.

Instead of feeling alienated, students unite with adults on joint projects at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Jamie Lambert, Director of Student Ministries, says "We function as a body; youth are warmly welcomed by adults." The youth's Prayer and Worship Night, held at the church's pond, attracts adults, too, even if they don't have kids.

The community is invited to the Rock Coffee Shop for free Starbucks coffee and Starbucks desserts as youth sing, play instruments and hang out.

New Hope Baptist Church's REALDEAL Student Ministry holds to the I Timothy passage: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

Their mission is serious, but their approach is fun--sometimes even 'wild.' "Most students use the word 'boring' when they describe church, and we want to shatter that stereotype," says Michele Barnett, Interim Student Minister. Retreats, Random Acts of Service and many other events are sponsored.

Newnan

In an age when many live busy, disconnected lives without knowing their neighbors, creating a sense of community is a way of life for Crossroads Church. Every Wednesday, 400 youths come with their friends to Xtreme for food, game room fun and relevant Bible messages. Three Community Big Events are held annually with 800-950 area kids in attendance. After the last event, Middle School Pastor Shane Wilbanks said, "It was fun, safe and a lot of kids got closer to God, which is our goal."

Newnan and Coweta Students make music for the soul at First Baptist Church of Newnan. By participating in the church's student choirs, youths develop their musical talents and help the church and the community. They sing for worship services, prepare annual musical dramas and attend mission trips and international choir tours.

Ministry doesn't stop there, with Student Impact's large group programs, small group Bible Studies and Acteens, a ministry just for girls.

In 1938, the first Mass for St. George Catholic Church was held in a home. Today, over 800 families are registered, there is a second priest for the growing parish and a Spanish Mass is part of the regular Sunday worship. Youths at St. George find many opportunities for spiritual growth and community service. Middle school kids actively participate in Mass as youth choir members or altar servers and outside the church, they join in ice-skating, roller-skating, bowling, retreats and more.