Youth Ministries

Who we are

We are the Youth Ministry of Messiah Episcopal Church, welcoming over 60 Jr & Sr Hi age youth. We are led by staff, Rev. David Langille, and a Youth Team of fifteen Safe Church trained adult leaders, and five Sr Hi peer leaders (our 412 team).

Our mission

We see kids coming to Christ and Christian kids becoming Christian adults.

Our strategy

Worship

Messiah's Youth have a place in the life of the Church:
We see Friends – authentic Christians who share the love of Christ.
We see Ownership – fully integrated members, contributing to their church.

Discipleship

Messiah's Youth are given the opportunity to know and grow in Jesus.
We see Disciples – defenders of the faith with lives transformed by God's Word.
We see Power – young believers equipped for ministry by the Holy Spirit

Missions

Messiah's Youth are equipped to change their world through Mission. We see Evangelists-sharing Christ with those who don't know him.
We see Doers of Biblical Justice – for the least, the last, and the lost.

What we do

School Year Ministries

Our Ministries are dependent on a team of gifted leaders. A cohort of over twenty, both adults and students, lead this ministry. This includes our Sr Hi peer ministers who make up the 412 team. The 412 team derives its name from 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." The 412 commits to being a godly example, to participate in monthly Youth Team meetings, and to be very present at most youth events.

Jr Hi Sunday School

For 6-8th graders, this class applies scripture to the issues of everyday Jr Hi Life and meets Sundays at 10:00 in the Jr Hi Room on the third floor.

Sr Hi Sunday School

"Called Relevant" meat, this class tackles Christian apologetics in a conversational way. The class meets Sundays at 10:00 in the Sr Hi Room on the third floor.

Confirmation

For mature 8th graders and up. The class is taught primarily by the Priest Associate. Confirmation at Messiah is a 16-month experience, of learning and doing. Class stretches from Lent through to Pentecost of the following year. From Lent through Epiphany students are in Sunday School and Youthnite together. Class content includes: Sacraments, Scripture, Creeds, Nature of Christ, Prayer Book, Church History, Spiritual Gifts, and Messiah ministries. Confirmands spend the Lent and Easter seasons in ministry internships, as they explore their spiritual gifts. Confirmation is May.

Youthnite

Our midweek program follows a monthly theme, and a weekly rotation: Jr & Sr Hiers are together for the monthly Praise and Worship Nite; Word for the Hungry sees four (Jr Hi Boys, Jr Hi girls, and two Sr Hi) Small Group Bible Studies; while Jr Hiers enjoy Active Nite our Sr Hiers are led in Gospel Based Discipleship by our 412 student leaders; and we conclude our theme with a commitment night called Catacomb Worship where Healing Team members are available to pray with our kids.

School Year Special Events

Thanks to all those that pray, chaperone, transport, and help in any way with our special events. Events may include: Monster Lock-In, Phat Tuesday Pancake Supper, Acquire the Fire, Thirty-Hour Famine, Spring Teens Encounter Christ, Mission's Dinner, Graduation Celebration, Youth and Family Fall Retreat , Fall Teens Encounter Christ, U2Charist, and the Christmas Adventure.

Summer Ministries

By God's grace, and Messiah members support, we are blessed to have quality staff for Summer ministries. Staff plan a full summer of weekly Bible Studies, Phat Phriday fun and service events, and make weekly contact with students. They also serve our children by leading Children's Chapel and organizing the strong youth presence at our vacation bible school for children, Great Adventure Camp.

Summer Special Events

We have a number of foundational events, where students build life-long relationships with God and with each other. Jr Hiers and the Confirmation Class are invited to Adventure Camp at beautiful Camp Crosswoods, a Messiah tradition for ten years. Our Sr Hiers go on our annual Summer Mission's Trip, and both Jr and Sr Hiers make a road trip to the Sonshine Festival, the Upper Midwest's ultimate Christian music festival.