"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."  I Timothy 4:12

Director of Youth Ministry, Scott Pryjmak

We share the Gospel with middle school and high school students, helping them develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through study of the Bible, fellowship with other believers, worship and service.  We teach Biblical principles for healthy relationships with others in an environment that is safe, fun, accepting, comfortable, and sometimes challenging.

What qualities do you want your children to possess when they leave home?  At Covenant, we think about helping our youth grow strong in qualities such as:

- A firmly rooted and growing relationship with God through Jesus Christ

- A strong and growing spiritual life

- A heart for serving God and sharing His Word with others

- Healthy relationships with other youth and adults

- Compassion for others

- Knowledge of right and wrong

- Strength to resist peer pressure

- Certainty that each of us is of great value and dearly loved by God

The Influence of People

We surround our youth with people who will help them grow in their faith and their relationships with others.

Peers- We place our youth in positive and encouraging environments where they find acceptance and affirmation of their peers.  By spending time together in worship, study of God's Word, fellowship, and service, our youth develop solid, supportive relationships with one another.

Adult Leaders-We place a priority on surrounding our young people with faithful, loving adult leaders.  Our youth have the opportunity to see genuine faith lived out in the lives of adults.  These servant leaders teach Sunday School, lead small-group Bible studies, and provide leadership in our fellowship activities, retreats, and the mission trips.  These adults love young people and have a heart to see them grow in their faith.

Parents- We encourage parents to raise their youth in the Christian faith.  Parents are the most important influence in a young person's life.  Their decisions and priorities teach their children what is important.  Our youth ministry values the involvment, encouragement, and support of parents.

Opportunities to Lead

We encourage our high school students to serve on leadership teams.  We believe that by encouraging our young people to accept leadership roles and nurturing their gifts, we are instilling in them confidence and a firm faith.

Sunday School- Each Sunday at 9:45am, adult leaders help youth grow in knowledge of the Bible and apply biblical truths to their everyday lives.

Small Groups- Small disciple groups provide in-depth Bible study and relational and prayer support.

Youth Fellowship- Each Sunday during the school year, students come together for fun, fellowship, service projects, and discussions revolving about the needs and concerns of their age groups.

Worship- We encourage youth to participate in the regular worship of the church and give them opportunities to assist in worship leadership.  One Sunday each spring, our youth plan, develop, and lead Sunday morning worship.

Youth Choir and Handbells- These musical groups, composed of middle school and high school students, rehearse regularly and provide occasional leadership in Sunday worship.

Confirmation- The Confirmation class is for students in eigth grade and above.  The class explores in depth what it means to be a Christian.  Class sessions emphasize understanding the Bible and applying the Bible to our lives.  In addition, class members learn about church history, our denomination, and other Christian churches, and the Christian faith in the context of the major world religions.  At the close of this three-month experience, these students are invited to make a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ and to become active members of the Church.

Retreats- Retreats provide opportunities to enjoy fellowship with one another and youth from other Presbyterian churches.

Summers-Weekly Bible studies, mission trips, retreats, service projects, and fellowship actvities keep the youth together while school is out.

Summer Mission Trips- Each summer we send our youth into the mission field.  Middle school youth have participated in renovation projects in the southeast.  High school youth have built houses and led Bible school in Reynosa, Mexico.

Summer Youth Conferences- Every other year, our middle school students gather with youth from around the region for The Great Escape in Cleveland, Tennessee.  This conference challenges them to embrace the gospel and share it with others.  In alternate summers,  high school students participate in Fun in the Son, an evangelistic celebration with high school youth from around the region.  These trips are excellent times of fellowship, study, and service.