"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
Romans 1:16
At 116 Youth, we believe that today’s youth have the potential to be world changers. Our ministry for middle school and high school students (7th through 12th grade) is centered on helping them embrace the boldness and power of the Gospel. Drawing inspiration from Romans 1:16, we teach our students to be unashamed of their faith, regardless of what the world may think, and to live with the conviction that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation.
Our youth ministry meets in The Underground, the lower level of our Church building, on Sundays @ 10am and Wednesdays @ 6pm. Here at 116 Youth, students have the chance to dive deep into their faith, build lasting friendships, and equip themselves to boldly follow Christ in all aspects of their lives.
What is 116 Youth?
116 Youth is our ministry for students in 7th through 12th grade. The name 116 is taken from Romans 1:16, where Paul declares that he is unashamed of the Gospel. We challenge our students to stand firm in their faith, boldly proclaiming the Good News of Jesus and never shying away from the power of the Gospel in their lives.
The goal of 116 Youth is to help students develop a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, grow in their understanding of Scripture, and learn how to live out their faith in practical ways. We believe that students can make a difference in the Kingdom of God—today, not just in the future.
What Does 116 Youth Look Like?
Bible-Based Teaching and Empowerment
At 116 Youth, we focus on teaching students the truths of Scripture in a way that is both relevant and engaging. Our lessons are designed to help them understand how to apply God’s Word to their daily lives and navigate the challenges they face as teens.
Scripture-Centered Lessons: We study the Bible to gain wisdom on topics like identity, relationships, temptation, and how to live as a follower of Christ.
Interactive Teaching: Through discussions, videos, small groups, and sometimes even games, we make the Word of God come to life and show our youth how it applies to their world today.
Personal Bible Study: Students are encouraged to develop a habit of reading God’s Word daily, and we provide tools and resources to help them grow in their understanding.
Bold Living for Christ
We believe that youth can have a powerful impact for Christ right now, and we challenge our students to live out their faith with boldness. Our teaching focuses on helping them understand the power of the Gospel and how to share it with others.
Unashamed Faith: Just as Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel, we challenge students to boldly stand for Christ, whether they’re at school, in their neighborhoods, or online.
Mission Minded: We actively engage in missions, both locally and globally, teaching our students the importance of spreading the Gospel and serving others.
Service Projects: Throughout the year, we participate in service projects that allow our youth to put their faith into action, whether it’s volunteering in the community, helping others in need, or sharing the love of Christ in tangible ways.
Fellowship and Community
One of the most important aspects of 116 Youth is building a strong community of believers. We encourage our students to develop lasting friendships with other believers who will support and encourage them in their walk with Christ.
Small Groups: We break into smaller groups during our services to discuss the lessons and pray for one another, building deeper relationships within our youth group.
Youth Events: Throughout the year, we host events like lock-ins, retreats, and hangouts that give our students opportunities to have fun, grow together in their faith, and form strong friendships.
Mentorship: Older students have the opportunity to mentor younger students, helping them navigate their spiritual journeys and encouraging each other to live for Christ.
Real-Life Application
As youth face difficult decisions and challenges, it’s important that they have the tools to make choices that honor God. We teach our students how to apply their faith to real-world situations, from their relationships and schoolwork to their use of social media and career decisions.
Real Talk: We tackle tough topics like peer pressure, identity, mental health, and purity, teaching our youth that the Gospel is relevant to every area of their lives.
Equipping for Life: Through teachings on Christian ethics, leadership, and Biblical worldview, we prepare our youth to make decisions that reflect Christ and shine His light in a dark world.
Why is 116 Youth So Important?
The teen years are a critical time in a person’s spiritual development. It’s during this time that youth begin to solidify their personal faith, wrestle with big questions, and decide who they will be as young adults. At 116 Youth, we believe this is the perfect time to help teens understand their purpose, embrace their identity in Christ, and become bold, unashamed followers of Jesus.
Our youth group provides a safe space where teens can ask questions, explore their faith, and grow in a community of believers. We want them to know that being a follower of Jesus is not just about church on Sundays—it’s about living out their faith every day.
Join Us at 116 Youth
Are you ready to be a part of something incredible? If you’re in 7th through 12th grade and want to live boldly for Christ, 116 Youth is the place for you! Come join us in The Underground as we learn, grow, and live unashamed of the Gospel, ready to make a difference in the world for Christ. We can’t wait to see you there on Sunday Mornings @ 10 AM and Wednesday Nights @ 6 PM