Learn > Youth

The journey to adulthood involves more than simply physical or emotional changes. Middle and high school age kids are ready to engage with their faith in different ways than they had as children, and we are ready to help them along that way. We are not afraid to wrestle with the difficult questions of faith with these youth, because they are the same questions we ponder our whole lives. We want our youth to explore what a living relationship with God can be like, and begin to trust that God is present with them in the joys and the struggles. The Christian faith is big enough to guide and sustain us through all of life, and it offers us the meaning and purpose for which kids at this stage of life yearn.

At Transfiguration, we know that you can’t wrestle with big questions about a big God unless you have a safe space in which to do so. We focus on building trust and community, both between youth peers and between the youth and our staff and sponsors. This is why our Wednesday program is so important. Each week, middle and high school youth gather for Crossover, a time of prayer, conversation, and community. It is just the boost many kids need to face their week and remember the love of Jesus that is big enough for anything.

On Sunday mornings we focus on teaching, and we try to help kids connect the dots between God and their daily lives. We want them to know the stories of Scripture are not dried ink on a page, but words to live by and strength for the journey.

Our Sunday School classes are split into two age groups. Our Sr. High group is comprised of 9th – 12th grade students, and our Jr. High group is comprised of 6th – 8th grade students. We cover a wide range of topics in Sunday School pertaining to the life of a teenager or preteen, and meet every Sunday at 10:15am – 11:00 am in the Youth Center. Our classes are discussion based, and we maintain a teacher-student ratio of approximately 1:10.

Last year, the Youth Ministries implemented new curricula. In both Jr. and Sr. High Formation on Sundays, we began using the Live! Curriculum, and doubled the number of teachers in the room.

Crossover is a program for both Jr. and Sr. High students that meets throughout the school year:

• 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Jr. High Meets for Bible Study and Discussion
• 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Combined Jr. High and Sr. High Meal
• 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Sr. High Meets for Bible Study and Discussion
• At 7:30 p.m. Jr. High departs

For families with siblings or other circumstances that require someone to stay from 6:00 – 8:30, a study room will be available in the Youth Center.

We use a book series called Can I Ask That?, which focuses on some of the more difficult and common questions we each face in our spiritual journey as Christians.

At Transfiguration, we like to get our hands dirty. You’ll find us getting involved in some sort of outreach project at least once every month. Usually, we do even more than that. Whether it’s spending a few hours at a food bank, or organizing a giant, citywide outreach day for the entire Church, we love doing work.

We like to travel. A lot. We like to travel so much that we go somewhere at least once each year. On even numbered years, we go on mission trips all over the country. On odd numbered years, our older high school students go on a life-altering pilgrimage somewhere out of the country.

While we do like to stay active and keep a busy schedule, every now and then we prefer to just kick back and enjoy being with each other. This can take a lot of forms, from movie nights, to lock-ins, to retreats, and everything in between.

If you have questions, or want to come check out what we have going on, send an e-mail to our Interim Directors of Youth Ministries, Alina and Jared Williams, at youthdirectors@transfiguration.net