In November each year, we host a conference-style event for all parents, grandparents and caregivers. This is something we open to the public in hopes that many adults can come be equipped and encouraged as they seek to foster deep faith in their homes. With wonderful keynote speakers, breakout sessions, meals, and childcare this is an awesome event for families with children (newborn-12th grade).
Later in February, we travel to Gatlinburg, TN with a large number of our 8th-12th graders to attend this fun and spirited youth rally. Year after year, our teens come away feeling challenged and invigorated. The event is very well done, and Gatlinburg is always a fun town to visit!
In March, we always plan a special activity to highlight a particular parent/child relationship. One year it will be for fathers and daughters, the next year it will be mothers and sons, then fathers and sons followed by mothers and daughters. We believe it is so important for us to set aside time like this to have intentional conversation, share a meal and laugh together.
In April, World Vision creates an opportunity for teens to experience life in a different culture. Our youth group comes to the building and goes 30 hours without eating! As we fast, we learn about poverty and world hunger, and we spend time in prayer and service. We can’t say it’s easy, but many will tell you it’s impactful.
We love to start out the summer with an area-wide service opportunity. Teens from several churches around town come together and paint houses for folks in the community. Usually this is late May or early June.
All summer we have fun activities following Wednesday night Bible class ("Way Out Wednesdays" or WOWs). Sometimes we stay at the building and watch a movie or play games. Other times we’ll go out for bowling or frozen yogurt. We’re not picky what we do, just as long as we’re having fun and doing it together!
For many years now, our youth group has been committed to serving for a week at Impact Church of Christ in Houston, TX (mid-June). We help put on a VBS/summer reading program for children living throughout the inner-city. Our students have been profoundly affected by these experiences. We come away feeling bonded as a mission team and uplifted by our opportunity to learn and serve.
Our youth group alternates the big trip they take in July out west. Every other summer we travel to Tuba City, AZ to work with the Tuba City Church of Christ as they serve among the Navajo people. We get to host a VBS, coordinate community events and haul wood so people can heat their homes during winter months. It’s always a cool bonus to visit scenic canyons and marvel at God’s beautiful creation.
Every other summer, we go to Salida, CO to hike up a mountain with Wilderness Expeditions. Don’t do this trip unless you want to reach new heights both spiritually and physically. Through shared physical challenges, we grow as a spiritual community. If you ask one of our teens, Trek is where they have faced fears, made friends, attempted a mountain summit and experienced the power of God in profound, new ways.
Early in August, we get away for a weekend with just our youth group to reflect on the summer and set goals for the new school year. One reason it’s important to us is because we’re reminded once more that we’re a family. As we enter back into that daily grind, we hope our teens are fueled by that affirmation that they have a supportive home and a family at Downtown.
On the last Wednesday in August, we host an event for families called CORE Kick-off. This is the best time for parents and teens to learn about our youth ministry. We share calendar events, we introduce our youth ministry team, and we share a meal together. We believe this is very important for our church to thrive and grow.
In the fall, we try to create an experience where our teens gain a global or local perspective of mission. What does it look like to live out the kingdom in a foreign context? What does it look like in our own backyard? Some of those answers are the same, and some are very different. We have always been very impressed with the maturity and passion we see in our teens who choose this event.
We firmly believe it is our responsibility to support and strengthen families. We take that job very seriously. Often that looks like us hosting classes or seminars to equip parents and encourage teens. Other times, we just want to create space for families to enjoy quality time together. The family retreat is a wonderful event we organize each year in the fall to bless our youth families.
In late January our girls drive to Memphis for a fun time with hundreds of other girls in the region. This is an excellent conference where our girls hear some amazing speakers and participate in focused study. This conference always does a great job of choosing themes that speak to a young woman’s heart as she seeks the Lord.
We always spend the early part of May celebrating our graduating seniors. One of our favorite traditions is a special banquet for the families and friends. Our youth ministry team as well as shepherds and wives come and honor these graduates as they reflect and look forward. Many families love the intentional way we bless and send our seniors.
On the summers we don't go to Trek, we travel to Tuba City, AZ to learn and serve among the Navajo. We often host community events and spend a couple days hauling wood from Flagstaff to help those who, during the winter, still heat their homes with wood-burning stoves. The land and the people help us witness God's beauty in profound ways.
