Journey Youth
Wednesday night is the best night of the week because it’s when we connect with our friends, learn something new, and have lots of fun! Our time together includes both large group and small group.
We start the night in our large group environment, where we sing some songs and hear practical teaching that everyone can apply to their upcoming week. During small group, we reinforce what was communicated in large group. We provide time for every student to connect with their peers and adult leaders. This is how they experience life change, build community, and create the best night of the week.
Matt & Kallie Bockhahn
RCA Youth Pastors
What is the mission of RCA Journey Youth?
- Reach: We create safe and fun programs and events that help students reach their unsaved and unchurched friends with the gospel.
- Equip: We facilitate gender and age-based small groups where we equip students to go deeper in the gospel as they become disciples who make disciples.
- Send: We provide opportunities to send students locally, nationally, and internationally to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
How do we relay this vision to students? By asking three questions:
- Who is your “one”? Who is one student you know is unsaved or unchurched that you can share the gospel with and/or bring to a reach-focused event this year?
- Who are your “few”? Who are the people that you will commit to be in a small group with and challenge, encourage, and grow with throughout the year?
- Who are your “many”? Where is one place locally, nationally, or internationally that you can serve this year?
PHASES
Phase 1: Nursery (ages 0-2)
Goal: To help parents embrace their role as the primary discipler of their kids. To help kids experience the love of Christ in a safe environment that fosters spiritual growth at home.
Events/programs: Summit Kids nursery
Milestone event: Parent Commissioning: a celebration of parents’ commitment to disciple their children to love Christ
Phase 2: Preschool (ages 3-5)
Goal: To engage kids with the beauty of Christ by introducing themes of the gospel through Scripture. To engage parents in the pursuit of a family worship time at home.
Events/programs: Summit Kids preschool, AWANA, Family Worship Night, Kids Week
Phase 3: Elementary (grades K-4)
Goal: To provide avenues for kids to see the whole story of God in Scripture, especially through Bible knowledge and memorization. To provide outlets for parents to disciple their kids in the fruit of the gospel.
Events/programs: Small groups, AWANA, Family Worship Night, Kids Week, Kids Camp, Gospel & Baptism Class, family mission trips
Phase 4: Middle School (grades 5-8)
Goal: To reach, equip, and disciple students and parents to understand not just the “what” but also the “why” of the gospel and its implications in the life of every believer (godly character, healthy relationships, love for others, prayer and Bible study, living on mission)
Events/programs: Small groups, Elevate worship service, Parent Equip classes, Fall Retreat, Kids Camp, mission trips
Phase 5: High School (grades 9-12)
Goal: To fully equip students for every good work in Christ Jesus as they live life on mission. To help parents begin the process of launching students into their next season of life.
Events/programs: Small groups, Fall Retreat, Summer Camp, short-term missions, Elevate Summer Project, weekenders, corporate worship, Senior Commissioning, Parent Equip classes, Student Equip classes