We have an amazing group of students who are growing inside and out. Our youth spend over 40 hours a week at school with their friends, so the most obvious way to reach their friends is by having activities to which they can invite their friends. For instance, there was the “Back to School Bash” where 90 youth were literally hanging out on a climbing wall or jumping around on giant inflatables. Invitations by FCUMC youth to the Bash, Resurrection weekend, regular activities and Confirmation are all part of how the Youth ministry reaches out. Some of these activities have a deliberate time for them to learn about and respond to a relationship with Christ, while some activities are just opportunities for us to get to know students and for them to learn about FCUMC.

This past summer our youth went to Nashville, Chicago and Nicaragua to serve the people there and share the love of Christ. Besides these “big” trips we also serve here in Knoxville at Second Harvest Food Bank, Knoxville Area Rescue Mission, and Lost Sheep ministries. Our youth also serve at FCUMC serving Communion, helping with children’s church, and volunteering with Vacation Bible School. Our youth have many opportunities to serve in Youth Choir, handbells, and offer special music in traditional worship and the Journey worship service.

We offer a variety of teaching/discipleship opportunities to help our youth grow in their faith. There’s Wednesday night Bible study that applies scripture to everyday topics and relates it to everyday life. This fall we started a six-year teaching plan for youth Sunday school. This program is called “Claim the Life” and will assist our teachers in having a clear teaching plan for youth Sunday school. On Sunday evenings this fall we will start our Growth groups. These groups will be arranged by age and gender and meet to help each other grow in their faith by holding each other accountable in the spiritual habits of prayer, Bible study and witness. Each fall and spring we go on retreats that get our youth away and help them focus on their walk with Christ.

This past week was an amazing example of how FCUMC helps our youth mend. Whether it was being present at Central Baptist Church talking with parents and students immediately following the tragedy that took place at Central High School, or seeing our adult servants later that evening hugging and talking with our students following the community prayer service. We realize that FCUMC doesn’t have one youth Director. FCUMC has over twenty youth directors who every week love our youth and help them grow in their faith.

- Coop