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Welcome!

This parent page includes information about youth ministries at Second. We encourage you to explore our blogs and also review our vision and objectives, as well as details about specific programs.

If you have questions about youth ministries at Second or would like to speak with someone about parenting a teen, please contact me. I enjoy meeting parents and students over lunch or coffee.

Enjoy!

Brian Shivers

Youth Ministry
Vision and Objectives

Vision:

Youth Ministries at Second Presbyterian Church seeks to provide middle and high school students (grades 6-12) with a welcoming, safe, and encouraging community, which gives space for faith discovery, spiritual growth, dedication to following Jesus Christ, and full engagement in the corporate life of Second Presbyterian Church.

Youth Ministries at Second is a space where middle and high school students gather not to witness an event but to be a part of something bigger than themselves where everyone belongs and all are welcomed.

In all we do, we seek to be…
Incarnational – Embodying the love and acceptance of God;
Inclusive – Welcoming and inviting everyone to participate;
Integrative – Engaging youth in the broader life of Second Church

Objectives:

We think this can best be accomplished through the integration of all youth into the broader life of the church by providing opportunities for their full participation in . . .

worship;
youth ministry programs and events;
service opportunities and trips;
development of community initiatives;
Christian education offerings;
church-wide stewardship efforts;
and the church's institutional structure (ministry teams, committees, board of deacons, etc.)

To view our entire integrative youth ministry philosophy, click here.

Youth Summer Trips Philosophy

Youth Ministries at Second Presbyterian Church Summer Trips

Every summer, youth from Second Presbyterian Church travel together to destinations around the world. There are at least three youth ministries trips each year: Footsteps of Faith (for graduating high school seniors) and at least two short term service trips, one for middle school students (those who have completed 6th-8th grades) and one for high school students (those who have completed 9th-12th grades).

Why provide such opportunities for our students? We believe that these trips give youth the opportunity to:

experience what it is like to give of themselves and their faith in working with and learning alongside others,
further expand their world and world-view,
interact with our faith brothers and sisters from diverse communities with rich cultural heritage,
learn new skills,
see the effectiveness of a group who come together around a common goal,
be a witness to the good news of the Gospel,
stretch their faith, strengthen their personal relationships with God, and gain insight into what it means to be a world Christian, and
understand how they can live out their faith through service within their everyday surroundings. They do not have to go some place exotic to serve. There are opportunities right next door.

In addition, we know that these experiences challenge students to think new thoughts and engage in new ideas. More personal transformation can take place on the short trips than can possibly be imagined or planned. It is our hope that all of the youth of Second Presbyterian Church will take the opportunity to participate in one of these summer trips. The discoveries made may be life-transforming.

Opportunities
Middle School – (grades 6-8)

Rural Trip – Students experience a rural setting and the needs unique to the people who live in this setting.

Big Ten Trip – Students experience a city that has a Big Ten University and work with organizations located close to the campus.

Urban Trip – Students experience a large urban setting and the needs unique to such a setting.

High School – (grades 9-12) –

Urban Trip – Students experience urban ministry and mission in Chicago partnering with Fourth Presbyterian Church.

Midwestern Trip – Students experience work through First Presbyterian Church in Sandusky, OH and their various mission organizations.

Rural Trip – Students experience life in a community that is far removed from any big city. The needs and the challenges are unique to such a setting outside of Pittsburgh with Hosanna Industries.

Footsteps of Faith - Seniors in high school travel to Greece and Italy following the footsteps of the Apostles Paul, John, and Peter and the life of the early church. This travel is a part of a yearlong faith journey and commissioning for our graduating seniors.

2018 TRIPS

Footsteps of Faith is June 8-18- Greece and Italy

Middle School Trip is July 9-13 - Wabash College and Crawfordsville, IN - Wabash Ave Presbyterian Church

High School Trip is July 22-28 - Chicago, IL - Fourth Presbyterian Church

Click here to register for the service trips.

Youth Schedule

Youth Weekly Schedule

Sunday Morning

9:30-10:30 a.m.

am live - Middle School Students (7th-8th) - Youth Suite East
InFocus - High School Students (9th-12th) - Youth Suite West
Niners Make-up Session- Freshmen and those participating in Niners - Youth Suite West

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Footsteps of Faith - Seniors - Youth Suite

Sunday Night

5:45 p.m.

High School Fellowship Events - Every Six Weeks
Middle School Fellowship Events - Every Six Weeks

Wednesday Night

6:30 Quest - Middle School Bible Study (6th-8th grades) - begins in Youth Suite
Niners - Confirmation (mostly freshmen in high school) - Youth Suite East
Trek 10 - Sophomore Bible Study - Youth Suite West
Trek 11 - Junior Bible Study - Youth Suite West

Trek is a Wednesday night small group opportunity for sophomores and juniors. Trek meets each week throughout the school year for support and encouragement, as well as deep discussions of faith through Bible studies.