High School Ministry

Growing faith, having fun and making friends.

We’ve designed our high school ministries around a student’s specific phase in life. We love high schoolers and we’d love to be a partner for your family in pursuing real-deal discipleship. Learn how we partner with families during each life phase, by downloading our age-specific phase plan for grades: Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth. We recommend many Bibles resources for students to grow in the faith—find the resources available for purchase here.

Join us with HSM (High School Ministry)!

We've got some crazy cool things planned all year long and you won't want to miss a thing! Scroll through our calendar for the school year or download a PDF. Questions? Ask Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org or Jon Zawodny, jzawodny@ualc.org.

High School Ministry Calendar

What's Coming Up?

Sunday Morning Connect for Teens

Looking for a place to meet other teens from the church on Sunday mornings at Mill Run? Join us at MSM/HSM Connect. Sundays, 10:00-10:30 am, Mill Run room 2032.

Following Jesus After Graduation

Join other high school graduates to talk and pray through the major changes ahead. Take some time to consider the big questions of life as you head into college or the work force. You’ll also hear insights from current college students. Sundays in June, 9:00 am at Mill Run and offsite. Details and register below.

Ongoing Programs and Workshops:

HSM (High School Ministry) Group – Connect and Grow

Join other teens from UALC and the community for a couple hours of hanging out, eating free food, getting to know each other and talking honestly about the ups and downs of high school life. During the school year, join us on Sundays at Mill Run, 4:00-6:00 pm. New students are welcome any week. Register here. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

Sunday Morning Experience

We believe that when students reach the teen years, they will thrive by being a part of adult worship with their families. On top of worship, students are encouraged to grow their faith by serving in Kids' Church at Mill Run or Lytham Road. While not offered every Sunday, Next Step Workshops will be a part of the Sunday experience. Contact ataphorn@ualc.org to volunteer for Kids' Church.

Next Step Workshops – Know and Grow Your Faith

Next Step Workshops are the fundamentals of following Jesus designed around a child's developmental phase of life. They prepare parents and kids to grow and live in the Christian faith. Most workshops are for parents and kids to attend together. Parents will be encouraged and equipped as the primary former of faith to take it home and live it out with their children. Here are the workshops for high school families:

Following Jesus in High School (9th grade)

A Next Step Workshop
Designed for incoming freshmen and their parents, this single session workshop facilitates great family discussions. We’ll prepare you to navigate life in high school and follow Jesus through opportunities and obstacles. Offered in the late summer. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

"Can I Ask That?" (9th grade and older)

A Next Step Workshop
Do you have questions you'd like to ask about your faith? We'll work with the "Can I Ask That?" book to cover some common questions about marriage, sexuality and identity, the existence of pain and suffering, and what the Bible says about women. Asking honest questions and expressing doubts is part of exploring faith at a deeper level. Cost is $15 and includes the book; however if you already have the book, you can come for free. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

Confirmation Capstone (9th grade and older)

A Next Step Workshop – 3 sessions and a retreat
Delve deeper into the foundations of the Christian faith and learn practical ways to be a daily follower of Jesus. Parents and students attend the first session together while the rest are for students only. Students can do Capstone anytime during 9th-12th grades. UALC celebrates this important season where students begin the adult life of following Jesus. Before beginning the Confirmation Capstone, please plan to attend at least one UALC retreat or camp and one UALC mission trip. We provide scholarships so no one has to miss out on these amazing experiences. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

My Bible Intermediate (post-confirmation)

A Next Step Workshop – 6 sessions
The Bible is amazing and rich but also a little overwhelming. This workshop will help you learn how to read and interpret it on your own. Take your next step in understanding how the Bible is organized, what it shows us about God, and how it can deepen your relationship with Him. Invest in these six sessions and you’ll have some skills for following Jesus that will last you a lifetime! Students attend on their own. Jon Zawodny, jzawodny@ualc.org.

Following Jesus After Graduation (12th grade)

A Next Step Workshop – 4 sessions offered June 2, 9, 23 and 30, 2019
Join other high school graduates to talk and pray through the major changes ahead. Take some time to consider the big questions of life as you head into college or the work force. You’ll also hear insights from current college students. Meet at 9:00 am at Mill Run for four Sundays for this highly interactive workshop that includes a few offsite worship experiences. Register here. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

Bible and Breakfast

We delve into God's Word for in-depth Bible and theology conversations. Contact Jon Zawodny, jzawodny@ualc.org, for location or questions.

Summer Mission Trips

Our mission trips make a difference in the world for the Kingdom of God and also help young people discover the many ways that God can use them to make an impact on their world.

Level Two Trip—Memphis, Tennessee, June 23-29: For students who may be new to mission trips. We'll be doing a variety of service projects and relational outreaching to the community through a day camp. We'll learn more about cross-cultural ministry and start learning leadership and teamwork principles. $170 cost, additional fundraising required. Application deadline: Feb. 24.

Level Three Adventure Trip—Kentucky, July 7-17: For students who have completed a Level Two trip. Serve in leadership roles in children's ministry day camp and on worksite projects. Training and planning begins in March. Trips ends with an adventure component for leadership development. $240 cost, additional fundraising required. Application deadline: Feb. 24.

Contact Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org or Jon Zawodny, jzawodny@ualc.org.

Tae Kwon Do

We work on developing self-defense skills and provide regular exercise in an environment that honors Jesus Christ. At Lytham Road. More information. Angie Edmonds, aedmonds@ualc.org.

Worship Academy – Raising Up the Next Generation of Worship Leaders

The Academy utilizes private and semi-private lessons, band rehearsals, and Scriptural teachings to train up the next generation of worship leaders from within our congregation. The Academy is for middle and high school students who desire training in tech teams (audio/visual arts), prayer teams, or worship bands. More info about the program. Contact David White, dwhite@ualc.org.

Consent and Waiver Form

All parents, or guardians, of children and youth must complete the Consent and Waiver Form to participate in UALC events and programs. Fill out the simple form online here.

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Volunteer on a Team

Join a Family, Youth or Children’s Ministry team and be part of transforming lives. Many opportunities for any skill set, age or schedule. Apply here.

What Do You Do?

We get together, play and learn; we get crazy and we get serious. We meet in small groups and big groups. We go places and do things for others and for ourselves.

Can I Come Anytime?

Of course! We really want to see you. And bring friends. If you've come before but it's been a while, not to worry. Just come back when you can.