Join the Youth Ministry at Central! The high schoolers meets from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and middle schoolers meets from 1-2:15 p.m. For more information, subscribe to our Youth Ministry newsletter. If you have any questions please reach out to youth@centralchurchnyc.org.
The gospel is an announcement of what God has done for us by his grace. Despite our spiritual rebellion and failure, the gospel proclaims that God has come to us in the person of Jesus Christ, who lived, died and rose again in order to forgive us, to adopt us into God's family, to transform our lives, and to renew the world he loves.
The purpose of Central’s Youth Ministry is to share the good news of God's grace with students so that they might place their trust in Jesus, grow in their knowledge and love of God, and live their lives in grateful response to his grace throughout their lives. The gospel invites us all to become students of Jesus' life. Our goal is to encourage students to become lifelong followers of Jesus through the community of the church and partnership with families.
OUR VISION FOR OUR YOUTH
Our vision is to be a vibrant and welcoming community of students, leaders, and parents who experience the transformative power of the gospel and encourage one another to follow Jesus throughout their lives. Those who know God’s grace have a responsibility to share it with the next generation (Psalm 145:4). Central’s youth ministry is a place where high school and middle school friends can come together to experience God’s deep care for them. It is a community where lifelong followers of Jesus make lifelong followers. Our intention is to minister to students by:
Embracing the youth as important members of the church community.
At Central, students are not treated as a separate subsection of the church. A healthy youth ministry helps students to understand their important role as vital members of the community. At Central, students are influenced and known by the Church community even as they influence and know it.
Engaging them with prayer, worship, and study of the scriptures.
At Central, we believe that people experience Jesus Christ together in word, sacrament, and prayer. As a result, we engage with the scriptures together in ways that renew our minds in the knowledge of who God is and how we live our lives in response to his grace.
Empowering parents to encourage and care for the spiritual lives of their children.
At Central, we recognize that the primary responsibility for the nurture of a student’s faith lies with one’s parents, but this responsibility extends to the entire Christian community (Ephesians 6:4). The youth ministry creates a community of friends and church leaders where parents are supported and equipped as they prepare their children for all of life.
Expecting doubts and encouraging students to turn to Christ in their search for answers.
Central’s youth ministry provides a space for a group of peers to come together to seek God. As students consider the claims of Jesus and what it means to follow him, we should expect that they will experience discomfort and uncertainty. At Central, we encourage students to express their honest questions, struggles, and doubts without fear or pressure, so that they might develop a stronger, stress-tested faith and learn to follow Jesus in a complex and changing world.
Equipping them to live a life of grateful response to God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ as they prepare to leave home and live outside of parental leadership.
As students look toward their lives after high school, we want to prepare them with a strong knowledge of the gospel and an understanding of how to live out their faith in a world where there are many competing beliefs. Central desires to equip students with the knowledge of God’s grace-centered perspective as they continue to interact with their city, culture, and world.
SCHEDULE
Youth Choir
- Central's Youth Choir provides a place for kids sixth grade through twelfth grade to learn to sing and read music as well as have opportunities to sing publicly during the Sunday services. All rehearsals take place on Sundays at the church in the mezzanine room above the gym. Rehearsals occur weekly from 9:15-10 a.m. Register your child(ren) here. Questions? Contact Lauren Dykstra at ldykstra@centralchurchnyc.org.
Regular Youth Meetings
- High School Youth Meeting (at Central) — 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
- Middle School Youth Meeting (at Central) — 1-2:15 p.m.
Sunday Night Live
In addition to our youth meetings during the day on Sundays, Central offers regular youth group gatherings for middle school and high school students on select Sunday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for students to invite their friends for a fun evening of food, songs, games, and a brief discussion as we explore faith together.
SNL Winter 2024 Schedule
January 5
January 19
February 2
February 9 (Suoer Bowl Party)
February 23
March 9
March 30
For more details, reach out to youth@centralchurchnyc.org.
Upcoming Events
- Middle and high school students are invited to watch the big game on Sunday, February 9 from 6-9 p.m. in the youth room. In addition to food, there will be fun and games as we’ll hand out prizes at halftime to those who dominate the predictions challenge. Whether you like football or only care about the halftime show, it will be a great time, so be sure to invite your friends!
- Middle and high school students are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt on Sunday, March 16 from 12:45-3 p.m. in Central Park! Students will meet in Central’s gym for lunch before heading over to Central Park for the scavenger hunt. The afternoon will be chaperoned by members of Central’s staff and our team of Youth Ministry volunteers. This is a perfect event to invite friends, so feel free to spread the word. More details to follow!
View our newsletter for details on all upcoming events.
Are you a student interested in joining Central's youth worship team? Email Lauren Dykstra at lDykstra@centralchurchnyc.org
View the most recent Youth Ministry newsletter here.