Youth Ministries
Our youth ministry exists to assist parents in bringing up their young
men and women in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. We do not
assume the role of the parent, but come along side them in providing
teaching and resources that will reinforce what is being taught in the
home.
We recognize that as children reach the teen years it is often valuable
for them to have significant spiritual others in their lives who will
reinforce the Christian beliefs and instructions of their parents. We desire
to provide a youth atmosphere in which the fear and love of God, obedience
to parents, passion for ministry to believers, and intentional evangelism
for the lost are promoted.
Our Goals
Parental Involvement
We rely heavily on parent involvement in all aspects of youth ministry,
and in no way encourage youth to disassociate, or distance themselves
from parental involvement in any area of their lives. Additionally we
see our young people as a vital part of the church as a whole, not a
separate entity pursuing a different spiritual agenda. To this end we
encourage and provide opportunities for ministry and involvement within
the church as well as in partnership with other church ministries.
Opportunities for Growth
Finally, we recognize that parents are often looking for leadership and
spiritual growth opportunities for their children that cannot always be
accomplished at home. To this end we desire to provide servant
leadership programs, mission trips, apologetics training, and other
ministries to help parents prepare their teens for effective, lifelong
service for Christ once they leave the home.
Programs
Sunday Morning Bible Hour 9:30-10:30
The youth, age 13-18 meet together for a time of in-depth study. Our
purpose is to help prepare them with a rock-solid Biblical foundation
upon which they will build for the rest of their lives. To this end we
rotate through a cycle of: exegetical teaching through books of the
Bible, Systematic Theology, OT and NT Survey, and Apologetics and
Worldview Studies.
Garamuts Wednesday Night 7-8:45
The youth (ages 12-18) meet for a joyful time of singing, and teaching
from the Word, followed by fellowship and prayer in small groups. We
rotate between expository teaching through a book of the Bible and
in-depth instruction on Biblical topics.
Events and Activities
Each month we hold various activities for the purposes of fellowship,
evangelism, or ministry (usually all three). These may include extreme
events like a 30 Hour Famine, fun events like paintball, service events
such as babysitting for the parents of the church or cleaning the
Chilhowee Baptist Center parking lot! Each event includes a time to
focus on Gods Word and apply it directly to the variety of situations
encountered during our time together.
Camp and Retreats
Each year we hold several retreats in order to grow in our knowledge of
Gods Word, build Christ-centered relationships with one another, and
enjoy Gods handiwork in a variety of settings. These are powerful times
of life-changing interaction and encouragement.
Bible Quizzing
Each year we choose a portion of Scripture to memorize, break up into
teams, and then have several quiz meets to test our knowledge of the
Scripture we have committed to memory. This is an excellent way to
creatively encourage our youth to hide Gods Word in their hearts that
they may keep their way pure.