Mission Statement
We believe that Jesus’ great commission to all his disciples shapes how we do youth and family ministries. So, we endeavor to teach our local families to follow Jesus so they will teach their children to follow Jesus.
We do this by hosting classes, discussion groups, and engaging events focused on Jesus’ powerful love for us. And we do this because Jesus said he wants us to invite others into his family, and he said he is powerfully with us.
CORE VALUES
Jesus saved us from the ultimate death so we are ready to give him our whole lives. How did he say he wants us to live our lives? “Teach all nations.” And what did he want us to teach? Everything he “commanded” them, which was related to the whole Bible.
This is why we emphasize intentional learning for all kids no matter their backgrounds. Because of Jesus, we teach all kinds of kids regardless of gender, ethnicity, or personality. Jesus is for everyone (Galatians 3:28).
Jesus saved us from the ultimate death but he also saved us into a new life. And this new life includes living in a new, committed family. That’s why Jesus told us to “baptize” people who join his family in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. In this family God is the Father, Jesus is his Son, and the Spirit adopts all kinds of people. And this new family doesn’t replace the biological family; instead, God’s family supports it. But why did Jesus mention baptism? Baptism symbolizes our deep commitment to God and each other. And it does this by picturing how Jesus was immersed in death for us, and then he was raised up into life for us. He showed up for us like this so that we would show up for each other as a family who is committed to teaching each other about Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:13; Titus 2:4, 6).
This is why we include cross-generational mentorship. God designed the church so that older ones watch out for younger ones.
Jesus cared about the family unit; he obeyed his parents (Luke 2:51), he taught about family commitment (Luke 11:11-13), and he even made sure his mother was well taken care of after his death (John 19:26-27). But even more than that, he said we too need to follow God’s design for the family unit in which parents lead their children by teaching them (Matthew 15:3-6; Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:19-21). But for some children, their biological parents are unable to lead them. For these families, the privilege to lead falls to the children’s guardians.
This is why we love to partner with all kinds of family leaders so they can teach their children at home. Families are at their best when the family leaders are the primary teachers of their kids, and the church family supports them.
Jesus wants his family to live in total freedom from hurting and hating others. That’s why he tells people who follow him to live all of their lives based on all of his commands. And since “all of life” includes our everyday lives, teaching isn’t just a lecture; it’s also a lifestyle.
That’s why we regularly host class times but also fun games and even service projects. This is also why we don’t crowd our calendar with events that prevent life-on-life interaction with the youth. Teaching about Jesus can happen anywhere and everywhere.
Jesus has a vision for kids. He wants them to be so much more than consumers who manipulate and take; he wants them to be leaders who serve and give. That’s why we don’t just teach kids; we teach them to teach. We hope to influence them so they will influence others. When Jesus said, “Go…and make disciples,” he meant that for all disciples, no matter their age.
This is why we will provide the youth with “prep-work” for their personal growth. Kids can do so much more than we think. And when Jesus is powerfully with them, they can do even more than we dare to think; they can become servant-hearted leaders.