The youth ministry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church exists to equip and empower youth (grades 6-12) – in and through Christ – to grow in their faith and love for God, His Church, and all people; and to become fully-devoted, world-changing Christ-followers. We do this in support of and collaboration with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s mission of “Building up God’s people, through His Word, for His world.”
Our mission and vision sprouted from Paul’s instructions to the leaders of an early Christian church. He writes in his letter to them…
[Our] responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. – Ephesians 4:12-16 (NLT)
Paul may not have had youth ministry in mind when he wrote this letter, but his instructions were relevant and clear: Grow! The life of a Christ-follower is an ongoing journey of growth – of growing into the person – and the people – God desires us to be. To be sure, “…growing in every way more and more like Christ…” doesn’t just happen. It takes dedication. It takes persistence. It takes intentional – even, at times, sacrificial – commitment. It takes practice. Youth ministry is ultimately a practice – one in which we invite and encourage youth to “practice” the way of Jesus – a life that reflects who we are, whose we are, and who we were created by God to be. Our practice – what we do and why do what we do – is an effort to help every youth be planted, be nurtured, and be transformed; so that they may be equipped and empowered to plant, nurture and transform.
Good Shepherd's youth ministry...
... wants to see every youth become a fully devoted, world-changing Christ-follower.
... sees that the best way for that to happen is for youth to be in an active relationship with Christ, the Church, and other believers.
... believes that an active relationship includes: experiencing community (fellowship); knowing Jesus (learning); building the kingdom (outreach); raising praises (worship); and sharing the love (service).
... seeks to meet the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of youth while encouraging a lifestyle that reflects their identity in Christ.
... offers engaging events, opportunities, and environments for teens in grades 6-12 to connect with others, grow in their faith, and be transformed through an active relationship with Christ.
Our two youth group environments are: MSM (Middle School Ministry - Grades 6-8) and HSM (High School Ministry - Grades 9-12). Events and opportunities for these two groups are planned throughout the year. For more information about youth ministry at Good Shepherd, contact Holly Vanderhoof (Youth Ministry Facilitator) or read about MSM and HSM in other sections on this page.
