Senior High Youth Ministry

The Nuts and Bolts of Gethsemane’s Goals for Sr. High Youth Ministry


Senior High Youth are encouraged to participate in the activities of our church (which is one of their commitments back to the church when they say that they want to be "confirmed").


There are many opportunities for the Senior High youth to participate in the activities of our church.


A 12-member Youth Council (two members each from the 7th – 12th grade classes) is tasked with representing their peers in planning the Confirmation progam and the Senior High activities. They meet monthly with the youth director.


Senior High youth are invited to assist in the Confirmation program. 19 Senior High youth currently serve as Junior Guides for the Confirmation program.


An annual summer Mission Trip is planned for 10th – 12th graders. Several fundraisers help pay for these trips, but some of each individual's expense is "out of pocket" for families. Additional scholarships can be, and are, found as needed. Very little of the annual youth program budget is used for these Mission Trips. Recent destinations for the High School Mission Trips include Lodi (OH), Puerto Rico, Wisconsin (many locations), Chicago (IL), Anchorage (AK), and Mobile (AL).


Senior High youth play a big volunteer role during each summer's Vacation Bible School (for the grade school kids).


Our Wednesday night Senior High fellowship is called “Journey”. Journey meets in the Youth Room from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm Wednesday nights during the school year.


Our Sunday morning Youth fellowship is called “House”. House is open to all Junior and Senior High youth. House meets in the Youth Room each Sunday from 9:55 am to 10:35 am during the school year.


Cameras travel with us most of the time so that we can share with the congregation and the community the highlights of our activities. Check out the "Photo Album" section of this web site to witness some of the history of our youth.


Additional optional activities (many suggested by the Youth Council) are planned throughout the year to give students further opportunities to build and strengthen friendships and faith. These activities are often in conjunction with the Junior High youth, and are occasionally with other church groups. For most events, students are welcome to invite guests. Depending on length of event, such gatherings will feature community prayer, at least, plus brief devotions, Bible study or topical faith discussion.


Recent events have included:

Our overall goal: to have each Senior High youth be "plugged into church" in a way comfortable for them; to administer various activities for the youth to grow in their faith; to provide a safe environment for the youth to be in relationships with their peers and with Gethsemane's caring adults.