One Way exists to equip students to live lives that honor God,

to connect them to other believers,

and to have them serve and reach others with the love of Christ.

Come join us this Sunday or Wednesday!

Check out Phil's blog at www.philshields.blogspot.com

Why We Do High School Ministry

The purpose of the church is a rather big thing. Yet it can be summed up in just a couple of words that Jesus stated. “’At last the time has come!’ he announced. ‘The Kingdom of God is near! Turn from your sins and believe this Good News!’” From the mouth of Jesus to us, the believers. It is our joy to proclaim Jesus has come and has great purpose for us, His creation. This is the message we desire high school students in our communities to know and understand so that this life giving truth radiates from the daily lives they live.

As the Senior High Pastor here at New Castle, I fully believe that high school students aren’t the church of tomorrow, but of today. That is my belief and passion for this ministry. Partnering with me is a team of leaders who desire to equip our students for taking up that calling. This is why our purpose statement is: “One Way exists to equip students to live lives that honor God, to connect them to other believers, and to have them serve and reach others with the love of Christ.”

A high school student’s world is constantly changing, but we desire them to experience that the word of God doesn’t change. This is the stability they need to live out the plans God has in store for each and every one of them.

I hope this information paints a small picture of what we hold to and desire within the high school ministry of New Castle Bible Church. You and your student are important to us and we as a high school staff desire to support you as a parent raising your student with Biblical values.

Phil Shields
Senior High Youth Pastor

Key Words for our Ministry

Equip- ”To provide students with what is needed for living life.”

This is where we desire to teach what the Bible tells us about living. We teach it at our Sunday evening meetings, through our small group times, Sunday mornings, and at several events throughout the year.

Honor- “The appropriate response to God for everything.”

We have the ability to do this everyday of our lives through music, reading the Bible, giving, listening, prayer, and so on. It is our desire to meet together as high school students and honor God in a way that is relevant to this generation. With the desire that our time together encourages us to live life passionately for Christ daily.

Connect- “To show or think of as related.”

We desire for this student ministry to be a place where student’s can come in and feel a sense of connectedness to others their age and with our staff. The world has a shallow sense of connectedness, but here we desire this to happen through serving, accepting, forgiving, greeting, encouraging, and getting to know one another in deep relational ways.

Serve- “To meet the needs of; to be used by; to do services for; aid; help.”

We desire to see students as not observers, but as participants in service. This is accomplished in mission projects and through opportunities within the group.

Reach- “To influence; to affect.”

Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” This means for us as a ministry that we desire to train students to reach their schools for Christ and to have One Way as a place for them to bring their friends to know more. We also see this as our call for summer missions and training, so that we see students graduating with a mindset that they are missionaries wherever they are.

STUDENT CONFERENCE

Student conference is a two and a half day weekend event in the fall. It is a gathering for students all over the surrounding states to worship, to communicate, to bond and to listen to guest speakers that will motivate students to be stronger Christians in the world and with their friends. We leave on Friday afternoon and return on Sunday afternoon. Our own youth leaders go along to join the students, and to make sure all goes well.

WINTER RETREAT

January is our winter retreat month. This is a memorable time for the students. We travel to Lawton, Michigan to Miracle Camp for a three day adventure. We leave on Friday and return late Sunday evening. While we are there we worship with a band, listen to guest speakers, but we also have time alone as a group for deeper discussions about what God is doing in the lives of each student. We have time to go outside in the feet... yes I said feet… of snow. We toboggan, play games against other high school students, ice skate, play basketball, and have indoor games also. There is only one price for this event, as meals, snacks, travel, and lodging are all included. Many look back on Winter Retreat as a place they experienced God.

OTHER MISSIONS

Our goal in the high school ministry here at New Castle is to provide a missions trip outside of our normal environment. We desire to have this every other year with the requirement that students are committed to the student ministries activities. These trips will provide opportunity to share Christ, serve, and learn how the gospel is alive in every culture.

WHEN WE MEET

Sunday School: 9:30—10:30am

Sunday mornings are a great opportunity for students to get better acquainted, share from their hearts, and get into the Bible a little more. We spend a lot of time in prayer for one another and the needs in the area schools. This is a time of encouraging students to keep their prayer journals up to date and seeing what God is doing around them. We also spend time studying various books or subjects of the Bible.

One Way: 6:45 – 8:15 PM Wednesday Nights

This is our weekly meeting for high school students in our area. This evening consists of games, some worship through song or interactive activities, teaching, and small groups for discussion and prayer. This is a weekly event for students to get connected together with other students and adult leaders. It is a time for those that are searching to hear truth presented in their language and for those that already have a relationship with Christ to be challenged and also bring their friends to.

S’More Groups: 4:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday Afternoon

“If you want s’more then join a s’more group!” These are gender specific small groups that meet weekly to encourage those that want to go further in study. There is an element of accountability presented within these groups. The groups go through study books or different books of the Bible for study and application to their daily lives. This is a great way for a student to grow deeper in their relationship with Christ and bond closely with other believers.