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 Fall 2024 Schedule
September 8 (Kickoff party)
September 22
October 6
October 20
November 3 ("Ask a Pastor!")
November 10
November 24
December 8
December 15 (Christmas party)
For more details, reach out to youth@centralchurchnyc.org.
Upcoming Events
- All middle and high school students are invited to an overnight retreat in Tannersville, NY, on October 25-27. From exploring the picturesque Berkshire Mountains to roasting s'mores over a campfire, the overnight retreat is designed to provide you with opportunities to build new friendships, create lasting memories, and fellowship together. You especially won't want to miss our trip to Catamount Aerial Adventure Park, where we'll be taking to the trees and enjoying their 10 acres of bridges, ladders, obstacles, and ziplines. It's going to be a blast!
DETAILS
How much does it cost?
The cost for the retreat is $75/person, which covers transportation, food, and admission to the adventure park. Financial assistance is available.
Where will students be staying?
We will be staying in a beautiful house in Tannersville, NY, and driving to the adventure park and back on Saturday!
How will my student get there?
Tannersville, NY is located about 2 hours and 30 minutes outside of NYC. We will be leaving from Central Church in vans at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 25 and returning by 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, traffic permitting!
Will it be chaperoned?
Yes! Youth ministry staff and volunteers are very excited to connect with your students and help make our time together fun, safe, and memorable!
Register by September 30!
- All youth are invited to attend a movie night the evening of Saturday, November 9 at 7 p.m. The middle schoolers will meet at Central on the rooftop (weather permitting; the youth room will be the backup location), and the high schoolers will meet at the Upper East Side home of Dan and Rebecca Matheson (address will be sent closer to the event). Email Rafa Oliveira (roliveira@centralchurchnyc.org) to RSVP. We’re looking forward to a fun night!
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.