For Parents

(Parents: Please email Josh Mulvihill, Pastor of Middle School, if you would like to receive weekly email updates about the Middle School ministry.)

Greeting to the parents.

Dear parents,

As a youth ministry it is our goal to work alongside you as a teammate in your son or daughter’s faith journey. It is my prayer that your teenager’s “heart will be enlightened in order that they may know the hope to which He has called them, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for those who believe” (Eph. 1:18-19).

I want your son or daughter to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. In fact, every program that we offer has been intentionally designed to foster growth in your child’s life. I want to make you aware of the high caliber events that will be available this winter for your Middle School child. I invite you to encourage your Middle School child to participate in these events.

Community Groups are the new name for our Sunday morning program. As the name reflects, we want Sunday mornings to be a time of community. I believe that spiritual growth happens best through community. There is nothing more important to Middle School students than friendships. We will emphasize community building by having students gather around circular tables and connect with one another through discussion groups. This winter we are exploring foundations of Christianity and spiritual disciplines. Community groups will meet during both the 9am and 10:30am hours to allow your child to attend the worship service of their choice.

Connecting Point is a free event where we come to the church to hang out, connect, and have fun. We schedule one or more of these each month throughout the summer and several during the school year.

Encounter will continue to meet on Monday evenings throughout the school year (September through May) from 6:45-8:00pm. Encounter is designed as the entry-level program for students with the main focus being connecting in small group Bible studies. 

SMASH Groups stand for “Students Meeting And Sharing Hearts” and are our form of small groups. They meet weekly (Sept-May) on Monday evenings from 7-8:00 during Encounter. They are the best aspect of the Middle School ministry. Their purpose is to help students connect relationally and grow spiritually. It is my goal to have every student involved in a SMASH Group because it is where life change happens best.

Foundations is a new doctrinal program starting this fall. The purpose of this program is to help students wrestle with God's Word in an easily accessible way so that the truth of the Bible will become deeply rooted in their life and provide a solid foundation for beliefs and behaviors. Foundations will be a nine month long class that requires commitment on the part of the participants. We will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  every other Monday before Encounter begins. Our first meeting will be on November 5. The cost is $50 which will pay for books, some food, miscellaneous materials, and certificates.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me.

Serving together,

Josh Mulvihill, Pastor to Middle School Students