Youth information for parents

Our youth at Crieve Hall enjoy a healthy mixture of activities focused on spiritual growth, service, and fellowship.  Parents work with the youth committee and youth ministers to coordinate activities for K-2nd, 3rd-5th, and 6th-12th graders.  Our ultimate goal is to help our young people go to Heaven.  We also want to train  our youth to reach out and lead others to Christ.  We want to encourage our youth to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and follow that path which is lighted by the Word of God.

Spiritual Growth

  • Our youth classes on Sunday morning and Wednesday night are focused on a study of the Bible with application to the lives our youth.
  • Our Summer Bible Camp, Camp Kalos, is a special week of Bible study, worship, fun, and fellowship for 3rd-11th graders.
  • Our 6th-12th graders enjoy a Fall and Spring retreat.  The retreats feature a spiritual theme with devotionals and small group discussions based on Bible study.
  • Our 6th-12th graders have a monthly devotional usually hosted by parents of our youth in their home.
  • Our 6th-12th graders attend youth rallies focused on spiritual growth and the Nashville Area Summer Youth Devotional Series.
  • Each year our youth participate in a Bible Bowl program that involves a thorough study of a segment of Scripture.

Service

Just as Jesus came to serve, not to be served, we want to encourage our youth to develop a servant heart.

  • The 6th-12th graders will average one service project per month.
  • The K-2nd and 3rd-5th graders will also be encouraged to participate in service projects appropriate for their age levels.
  • Examples of service projects include: visitation to nursing homes and shut-ins; child care for the young families; Special Olympics; college care package project.

Fellowship

All of our activities are planned with a goal of building a strong Christian peer group.

  • Friendships are established as our youth spend time worshiping, praying, playing, and working together.
  • Each summer our 6th-12th graders enjoy TNTs (Tuesday Nights Together), a weekly fun event.  Typical TNTs include bowling, putt putt golf, game night, laser tag, and camp reunion party.
  • Other fun events include the Lock-In, a fall hayride, whitewater rafting trip, and a reward trip to an amusement park.

Leadership Training

  • Youth Representatives – These are student nominated and elder approved representatives of our youth who provide leadership for our group and help plan activities.  Youth representatives help with communication and visitor outreach.  They have the opportunity to attend Evangelism University in January.
  • HiSTEP – This is a teacher training program for teenagers.  Eligibility begins in the 8th grade and HiSTEP training is required to participate on youth mission trips.
  • Mission Projects –  Our HiSTEP trained youth have opportunities to participate in Mission VBS programs in other states.   College age youth are eligible for international mission projects.
  • Leadership Classes – Periodically our young men are offered training classes designed to give them instruction and practice in leading worship.  Opportunities to speak at devotionals and lead worship assemblies are pursued for our young men.  Our girls are trained for leadership in settings such as ladies classes and women’s retreats.
  • Ministry Internship – Each summer two college-age students, a guy and a girl,  are selected to serve as ministry interns.  There is involvement in leading youth activities, mission trips, and Camp Kalos.  The interns are given responsibilities to teach classes and lead in worship settings for their respective groups.

Communication

  • The Youth Corner on the Trousdale Dr. side of the auditorium lobby is the place our teens sign up to participate in activities and pick up information about coming events.
  • A monthly calendar with youth activities and birthdays is printed and made available at the Youth Corner.
  • A weekly news and notes page is printed and available at the Youth Corner to give details on immediate activities.
  • The church bulletin contains a list highlighting the youth activities that are planned for the near future.
  • The Youth and Family Dinner is planned for the first Wednesday night of each month at 6:00 in the Fellowship Hall.  This provides a time of fellowship for our youth (K-12th) and their families.  We also announce the activities that are planned for the month. ( The dinner is usually not held during the Summer Series meals.)

Youth Committee

Jake Guthrie – Chairman
Isaac May
Barry Gibson
Tim Frizzell
Albert Thweatt
Jacob Winkler
Hunter Alsup
Darren Griffin
Paul Hounshell

Youth Minister

Isaac May