Youth Group is a weekly meeting for youth in grades 7th-12th allowing them space to explore their faith, deepen relationships, and have some fun! These meetings and events are crucial to building up our youth as the next generation, not only for our church but for the world we live in. The #1 goal is that our youth feel safe and loved at Geist Christian Church. That is the foundation which leads to being able to ask hard questions, explore the ways that God is acting in their lives, and grow in their faith. Two ways we work to achieve this goal are the 2 “F”s: Food & Fun! 

Food & Fun 

The roots of Christianity take us to the Table so it makes sense that for most weekly Youth Groups, a $5 meal is provided. This is possible by the generous volunteers who make delicious food for our youth. (Shameless plug, if you would like to help provide food, sign up here: )

I find that food serves our Youth Groups in a variety of ways: it helps parents to check one thing off their to-do list for the day, it gives our youth the literal sustenance they need, and it allows us time for relationship building through casual conversation over food. The youth get the chance to know each other beyond our topic for the evening, decompress about their weeks, and I, as their youth minister, get to learn about them as well. 

When the meal is done, the fun begins! Throughout our meetings, we rotate through a variety of activities: Bible studies, service projects, games, and outings. While our Bible studies and service projects are important, the games and outings we take are not just blow-off events. These Youth Groups are vital to building connection with one another, giving our youth a break from their hectic lives, and giving them the chance to meet God out and about. 

Building connection– It is hard to sit down and have deep conversations about the Bible or ask hard questions about God if you don’t know the people you are sitting with. Our time playing games and going out to ice skate or to the Zoo creates space for our youth to have shared experiences and deepen relationships. Later when we are in a Bible study about how Jesus healed the blind man, a youth might feel more comfortable to speak up or ask a question while they are sitting next to “Sarah” who they watched Chimpanzees throw poop with instead of a “Sarah” who they know nothing about. 

Taking a break– I find that our youth are busy, busy people. Here at Geist, we have highly active youth. They are in school, playing sports, in the marching band, serving on student councils, and participating in countless other activities. Sometimes by the time they get to Youth Group, if they can make it that week, they are tired and they need a break. Our fun activities instill in our youth that it is good to rest and take breaks. The church is not some place where they must excel to get a certain grade or score any goals. God loves them no matter what. So they can take a break and just have fun. 

Meeting God– In every game and outing we take, there is an invitation for our youth to find God. As they are working on the building blocks of their faith, it is important that they are given opportunities to express their faith outside of the church building and from a Bible study. These events give them opportunities to stretch their faith capacity. 

Study & Service

Food & fun can only take us so far. With a strong foundation, study and service build upon that to give our youth ample opportunities to grow in faith. These are habits that I hope to instill in them to keep as they grow up. Study allows the youth to tap into their curiosity about God, faith, and spirituality. This encouragement helps to grow mindful and active young Christians. Being able to ask and talk about hard questions, or questions that might seem silly, helps our youth to take active roles in their faith lives. Service provides opportunities for connection to those outside of our youth’s everyday lives, opening their eyes, minds, and hearts to the vastness of God’s people. They already have the hearts to share God’s love with others, these service events are spaces for them to share it. 

All 4 of these things truly meld together during the week of our Youth Summer Service-Learning Trip! This summer, the youth are headed to Black Mountain, North Carolina to serve the Disciples of Christ church camp, Christmount from Saturday, June 28th to Saturday, July 5th. Like most of western North Carolina, Christmount sustained heavy damage during Hurricane Helene. This trip is open to youth currently in grades 6th-12th.

If you are interested in learning more & registering your child click here.
To view the spring calendar, click here.
To sign up to provide food for the Youth Group, click here.

Five.6: Bridging the Gap for Fifth and Sixth Graders in Faith

For many children, the transition from elementary school to middle school is one of the most transformative times in their lives. It’s a period marked by physical changes, emotional growth, and shifts in social circles. In the world of faith-based youth ministries, this period can also be crucial for nurturing a child’s relationship with God, family, and friends. This is where Five.6 comes in—a ministry program designed specifically for fifth and sixth graders.

Why Five.6 Matters

Five.6 is not just another church activity or Sunday school class; it serves as a bridge between the younger children in ministry and the older teens in the youth program. These two years are a critical phase for pre-teens as they begin to navigate their own identity, deepen their understanding of faith, and explore the complexities of life. By targeting this age group, Five.6 helps ensure that these kids don’t fall through the cracks during a time when they may need support the most. “I like meeting new people” said Emmy

These pivotal years are formative, not just for academics or extracurricular activities, but also for faith, family, and friendships. As children move from the protected environment of elementary school to the more independent world of middle school, they face new challenges and questions about their beliefs, relationships, and future. Pastor Crystal and Pastor Katie understand as faith leaders they provide a space where these young ones feel valued, heard, and loved. They are laying the groundwork for a strong spiritual foundation that can last a lifetime.

A Space for Fellowship and Friendship

One of the key aspects of Five.6 is the fellowship it fosters among fifth and sixth graders. Bailey said, “I love playing Romans and Christians.” These children are at a stage in their lives where friendships become increasingly important. It’s not just about playing together anymore; it’s about sharing common experiences, beliefs, and values that will help shape them into young adults. The Five.6 ministry gives them an opportunity to connect with peers who are going through similar experiences and questions, offering them a sense of belonging and mutual understanding. The bonds formed here also lay a foundation for the youth program, where these kids can transition smoothly and continue to develop their faith alongside their friends. Five.6 participants shared their favorite parts of being involved. Piper said her favorite part was “When we got to eat Taco Bell!” and Lucy stated that “I love the food.”

A Safe Place to Ask Hard Questions

As pre-teens begin to wrestle with more complex thoughts about life, faith, and identity, they often have questions—hard questions. Why does God allow suffering? How do I know what’s right and wrong? What is God’s plan for my life? These are just a few examples of the types of questions that might start to surface during this stage of development.

Five.6 is designed to be a safe place where these questions are not only welcomed but encouraged. Instead of feeling like they need to have all the answers or that their questions are unwelcome or inappropriate, Five.6ers are taught that it’s okay to ask tough questions and explore the meaning behind them.

Through guided discussions, age-appropriate Bible study, and group conversations, these kids can learn how to grapple with the bigger issues in their lives. They’re encouraged to dig deep into the “why” and “how” of their faith, not just the “what.” 

Distinguishing Their Love for God and People

One of the most beautiful things about the Five.6 ministry is the way it helps kids understand how to express their love for God and others in ways that are unique to them. Pre-teens are at a stage where they are beginning to form their own sense of individuality. While they may still look to siblings, friends, and other role models for inspiration, they are also learning how to define themselves outside of those influences.

At Five.6, children are encouraged to live out their faith in ways that are authentic to who they are. They may discover that their love for God is best expressed through serving others, or that their way of showing love to their peers is by standing up for what’s right, even when it’s not the popular thing to do. In this safe space, they learn that faith isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s a deeply personal journey that takes different forms in different lives.

Five.6ers learn that their actions can reflect God’s love in a way that’s relevant to their own life and context, whether at school, with friends, or in their families.

Building the Foundation for a Lifelong Faith Journey

At its core, Five.6 is about building a foundation for a lifelong journey of faith. It’s about making sure that these young individuals feel seen, valued, and loved, not just as kids but as people with their own thoughts, struggles, and aspirations. By giving them the tools to ask questions, build relationships, and express their faith in unique ways, Five.6 ensures that they are prepared to continue their spiritual journey with confidence and clarity as they move into the youth program and beyond.

The heart of Five.6—helping kids grow in their love for God and people, and preparing them for the challenges and joys of life ahead.