Philosophy of youth ministry (1-2 pages)
----Gives philosophy of youth ministry in 1–2 pages. One page describing
your church and youth program. Covers all points of topic that are covered in
the syllabus.-----
Connect with the local public schools
Offer support to the school staff and students
Shows students that someone cares about them
Makes it casual by “having church” on their school campus
School sanctioned club- allows access to their facility, students, events etc
Make an impact on the campus
Teacher appreciation
--help people see that Jesus is on their campus—whether they attend the club or not
Purpose of a campus ministry
Starting a ministry within a local public school presents a unique opportunity to positively
impact the lives of students, staff, and the broader school community. The purpose of
establishing a ministry in a public school is to provide support, care, and spiritual guidance to
students, teachers and maybe even parents. By providing an interactive and nonthreatening a
environment that fosters growth in spirituality and a bond with other students.
By connecting with students on their campus, this provides an opportunity to minister to
students, staff and their families. I have seen many students show up to a campus ministry
because they needed help or love. They were going through something challenging and needed
support but didn’t know where to go. The campus ministry can provide a place that is safe and
welcomes students to see support.
A campus ministry can show students how to follow the Bible in real life situations. The campus
leader can teach how to show love, honesty and compassion while organizing activities and
service opportunities to fevelop these attributes.
Another purpose would be to have a sense of belonging. Having a safe place for students to meet
will give a positive space to learn and grow while growing closer in friendship or meeting new
people. These clubs stress being inclusive to all and encourage teamwork and respect. While
connecting with students, you can also be a bright spot with the parents and the teachrs. When
the teachers and staff see the dedication of the campus leaders, they likely will seek them out
when their staff needs something.
While the primary goal is to share the Gospel, having a campus ministry can help students feel a
sense of belonging or community, can provide support and guidance. Being present on a school
campus shows students, families and educators that the church is willing to go wherever God
leads them to reach others.
Philosophy of Youth Ministry—INCLUDE-- One page describing your church and
youth program. Covers all points of topic that are covered in the syllabus.-----
Have the gospel at the foundation
Partner with parents (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)—come alongside what they are already doing at
home- offer support, encourage—show up to events
Look up titus 2, romans 10:17, 1 tim 4:7
Acts 2
Fellowship- which encompasse relevant and engaging events and programs.
My church set up, including youth and children, Wednesday nights is more relaxed and inviting
for unsaved teens
Sunday mornings is used for discipleship and growth
The Youth Ministry Director includes meals, events and activities that actively engage
students with a meaningful program while creating a place to foster spiritual growth, connect
with their youth group and have fun. Contemporary worship that the youth connect with,
interactive Bible studies, service projects such as helping our widows, elderly and serving in
our church’s soup kitchen. Fun activities such as lake days and game nights help to connect
each other while offering a fun place to invite friends. Connecting their faith to events and
activiries helps to foster a lasting impact in their spiritual life.
The youth group also participates in VBS, goes on mission trips in our state to offer disaster
relief, our country- we went to California to partner with a struggling church to offer a vbs
and sports camp to their community surrounding their property. We also go to peru. The
youth are strongly encouraged to participate and receive financial assistance to do so.
By integrating service and outreach, the students are realizing their God given gifts and they
are using them to serve others while glorifying God. This also instills the importance of
service and outreach at an early age. This helps to foster compassion to those in need. The
youth are encouraged to actively live our their faith while making a positive impact in the
community.
1-2 pages give description of my youth ministry
I live in a town of 100,000 people with many little communities surrounding it. My family lives
in San Angelo where there are 3 large public middle schools and two large public highschools.
Most of our families attend these schools, which I will roughly estimate as 15 kids. Some of the
towns that are around us are Wall, Christoval, Veribest, Grape Creek, Miles. The youth groups
consists of 6 youth from wall, 7 from Christoval, 3 from Veribest, 2 from Grape Creek and 2
from Miles. Our youth group is interesting because the core attends Sundays, Wednesdays and
all extra events. On Wednesdays some of the regulars invite their friends and they have become
regulars on Wednesdays. There are other kids who only attend on Sundays. Some of the students
that attend on Sundays make no effort to connect with any of the other kids. They are there
because they have grown up in the church but have found their community elsewhere. It has
been a challenge to make this one cohesive group because there are kids from so many different
schools. Half of the students live in a house with two parents that are average, middle class or
upper middle class. The other half are being raised by grandparents, an older sibling and may be
lower middle class. We have a pretty decent split about half white students and half Hispanic.
Our town is roughly the same.
1. What programs must be changed or altered to move toward a campus ministry?
Our church already has an afterschool program on our campus and we partner with an
elementary school as well. We have something going on every single day of the week.
More volunteers to lead would be necessary. It is impossible for the staff to lead all of
the ministry opportunities when so many are in place already.
2. How would you go about making these changes?
I would speak to the pastor and mention the need for a campus ministry. We would
bring it to the church body and share the needs and how to partner. We would pray for
someone to rise up to be in charge where the staff could be more of a support role.
Our afterschool ministry entitled “The Zone” is led by one church member and
supported by 20 other volunteers and the Youth Ministry Director. Because the youth
ministry director is more of a support role, she is able to lead the other ministries. In
order to get someone willing to lead, we would have to present what is needed and
how to be successful while provigin support, tools and resoureces for this person.
What programs could be retained or tolerated at the beginning?
The Zone has stood firm for about 10 years through many youth pastor changes,
covid, principal changes, school rule changes and the schools changed their release
schedule which produced a challenge because it conflicted with the start time of our
after school program.
3. What would you feel needs to be changed over the long term?
While I feel like the current program we have is decent, I think that it may be better if it was on
the schools campus. Our church can be seen from the schools campus, but it is out of the way as
far as kids being dismissed. I think if the after school program was on their campus, more people
would attend. It would require some compromise with the school and with our church members.
I also think some of the things offered needs to be changed. For example, they offer half a
semester of sewing which the students do but it is so labor intensive that the volunteers are the
ones doing most of the work. That defeats the purpose. I know the volunteers are offering things
they can help with but maybe they should seek out what the youth want to learn and try their best
at learning it so they can teach it to students. A lot of the volunteers will teach an activity but
they need work at talking to students. Most of them have a hard time connecting and it can be
awkward. We have not had anyone come to our church in over 7 years from this program. In the
past we did because the volunteers where intentional and got very involved in the students lives.
4. Choose the schools you would target first. Give the reasons for these choices.
I would target the first school that we are already involved in which is the Central Freshman
campus. Our schools are over crowded so all of the freshman are funneled into this one school
from several middle schools. We already have a relationship with them.
I would then target the middle schools because the schools in San Angelo are easier to access
than the small schools and their communities that surround us. It is very hard to even be allowed
on the other school campuses and they have their own community and leaders that they trust. It
would be challenging to cross that and be fruitful. I think it would have to be a long term plan.
List a detailed timetable (1 – 2 pages):
1. Before you start on a campus
Pray- connect with God and join with what He is already doing
Research what is needed on the campus—how to help students and the school.
What days and times would work best- there are many afterschool programs, extracurriculars and
sports already available
How to advertise to students and parents
How to get the school and staff on board- support the program
What to offer and what age
What kind of budget will be needed
How many people to help
Whats the mission- just to serve the school- point them to our church or Jesus
Gap between what is needed and what is already provided
Design the program
Advertise
Get a budget
Get all materials and equipment
Write out a plan- schedule of events
Homeowkr help
Snacks
Activities such as sports/ games/ active learning
Secure a place
Research and Planning Phase:
- Conduct research on the needs and demographics of the local community.
- Identify potential public schools that may be interested in hosting an after-school ministry
program.
- Meet with school administrators to discuss the program's goals and objectives.
- Develop a comprehensive program plan, including curriculum, activities, and
- Secure necessary permissions and approvals from the school district and any relevant
authorities.
b) Recruitment and Training:
- Recruit a team of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about youth ministry.
- Conduct background checks and screening processes for all volunteers.
- Provide training and orientation sessions for volunteers, focusing on program goals, safety
guidelines, and effective communication.
c) Fundraising and Resource Acquisition:
- Request budget help
- Identify and acquire necessary equipment, supplies, and materials for program activities.
2. 1st year
Advertise again
Get on campus- meet students and staff
Pilot program
See what works
Take notes on what needs to change
Set goals
Provide a structed program but also offer flexibility by offereing free time or “electives”
Set up stations
Talk about what events we have at our church
a) Program Launch and Promotion:
- Organize a launch event to introduce the after-school ministry program to the school
community.
- Develop marketing materials, such as flyers, brochures, and social media campaigns, to
promote the program.
- Collaborate with the school administration to raise awareness among students and parents.
b) Program Implementation:
- Design and implement a curriculum that aligns with the school's academic standards and
addresses the spiritual and emotional needs of the students.
- Schedule regular after-school sessions, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for
participants.
- Offer a variety of activities, including academic support, character development, recreational
programs, and spiritual guidance.
- Foster positive relationships with students and their families, ensuring open communication
channels.
c) Evaluation and Adaptation:
- Conduct regular assessments and evaluations of the program's effectiveness.
- Gather feedback from students, parents, and volunteers to identify areas for improvement.
- Modify and adapt the program based on evaluation results and feedback.
3. 2nd year
Evaluate the first year
Recruite more people to help
If some activities went better- adjust
Talk to students and parents to see what they want/need
Involve the students- ask opinions on what to offer- what they are looking for
Cncourage them to go to church stuff
a) Program Expansion and Enrichment:
- Evaluate the program's impact and identify opportunities for expansion.
- Collaborate with school administrators to increase program enrollment and reach a broader
student population.
- Introduce new activities to cater to the changing needs and interests of the students.
- Partnership with church members that have specialized skills external organizations or
b) Volunteer Development:
- Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for volunteers to enhance their skills
and effectiveness.
- Foster a sense of community and teamwork among the volunteer team through regular
meetings and social events.
- Recognize and appreciate the contributions of volunteers, encouraging their long-term
commitment to the program.
c) Community Engagement:
- Organize community events or initiatives that involve program participants and their families.
- Collaborate with local churches, organizations, and businesses to provide additional resources
or opportunities for program participants.
- Develop partnerships with other after-school programs or educational institutions for
knowledge sharing and mutual support.
4. 3rd year
Fine tune each activity
Add in more elements so its not just fun and games
We offer homework help already- offer how to make and keep a budget
How to run a home
How to sign up for fafsa and apply to colleges
Sustainability and Growth:
- Assess the program's sustainability and develop strategies to ensure its long-term viability.
- Seek more funding if necessary because of growth or program changes
- Because the program is successful look for opportunities for the program to be done in other
schools
b) Program Evaluation and Impact Assessment:
- Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the program's impact on students' academic
performance, character development, and overall well-being.
- Utilize evaluation findings to refine program strategies and measure success.
- Share success stories and program outcomes with stakeholders, including school
administrators, parents, and the community.
c) Celebration and Recognition:
- Organize a celebration event to acknowledge the achievements and milestones of the after-
school ministry program.
- Recognize the efforts of volunteers, students, and community partners who contributed to the
program's success.
- Reflect on lessons learned and identify areas for continuous improvement.
We would need help from all staff but maybe not evrery week if we could get enough volunteers-
Would this be everyday or just once a week- everyday would be a big itme commitment
COPIED
Detailed Timetable for Starting an After School Ministry Program at a Local Public School
1. Before You Start on a Campus:
a) Research and Planning Phase:
- Conduct research on the needs and demographics of the local community.
- Identify potential public schools that may be interested in hosting an after-school ministry
program.
- Meet with school administrators and key stakeholders to discuss the program's goals and
objectives.
- Develop a comprehensive program plan, including curriculum, activities, and outreach
strategies.
- Secure necessary permissions and approvals from the school district and any relevant
authorities.
b) Recruitment and Training:
- Recruit a team of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about youth ministry.
- Conduct background checks and screening processes for all volunteers.
- Provide training and orientation sessions for volunteers, focusing on program goals, safety
guidelines, and effective communication.
c) Fundraising and Resource Acquisition:
- Develop a fundraising plan to secure the necessary financial resources for the program.
- Seek partnerships with local churches, businesses, and community organizations for financial
and in-kind support.
- Identify and acquire necessary equipment, supplies, and materials for program activities.
2. 1st Year:
a) Program Launch and Promotion:
- Organize a launch event to introduce the after-school ministry program to the school
community.
- Develop marketing materials, such as flyers, brochures, and social media campaigns, to
promote the program.
- Collaborate with the school administration to raise awareness among students and parents.
b) Program Implementation:
- Design and implement a curriculum that aligns with the school's academic standards and
addresses the spiritual and emotional needs of the students.
- Schedule regular after-school sessions, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for
participants.
- Offer a variety of activities, including academic support, character development, recreational
programs, and spiritual guidance.
- Provide mentoring and counseling opportunities for students who require additional support.
- Foster positive relationships with students and their families, ensuring open communication
channels.
c) Evaluation and Adaptation:
- Conduct regular assessments and evaluations of the program's effectiveness.
- Gather feedback from students, parents, and volunteers to identify areas for improvement.
- Modify and adapt the program based on evaluation results and feedback.
3. 2nd Year:
a) Program Expansion and Enrichment:
- Evaluate the program's impact and identify opportunities for expansion.
- Collaborate with school administrators to increase program enrollment and reach a broader
student population.
- Introduce new activities and workshops to cater to the evolving needs and interests of the
students.
- Establish partnerships with external organizations or professionals to provide specialized
support or workshops.
b) Volunteer Development:
- Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for volunteers to enhance their skills
and effectiveness.
- Foster a sense of community and teamwork among the volunteer team through regular
meetings and social events.
- Recognize and appreciate the contributions of volunteers, encouraging their long-term
commitment to the program.
c) Community Engagement:
- Organize community events or initiatives that involve program participants and their families.
- Collaborate with local churches, organizations, and businesses to provide additional resources
or opportunities for program participants.
- Develop partnerships with other after-school programs or educational institutions for
knowledge sharing and mutual support.
4. 3rd Year:
a) Sustainability and Growth:
- Assess the program's sustainability and develop strategies to ensure its long-term viability.
- Seek additional funding sources, such as grants or sponsorships, to support program
expansion and sustainability.
- Explore opportunities for program replication in other schools within the district or
neighboring communities.
b) Program Evaluation and Impact Assessment:
- Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the program's impact on students' academic
performance, character development, and overall well-being.
- Utilize evaluation findings to refine program strategies and measure success.
- Share success stories and program outcomes with stakeholders, including school
administrators, parents, and the community.
c) Celebration and Recognition:
- Organize a celebration event to acknowledge the achievements and milestones of the after-
school ministry program.
- Recognize the efforts of volunteers, students, and community partners who contributed to the
program's success.
- Reflect on lessons learned and identify areas for continuous improvement.
Note: The timeline and specific activities may vary depending on the context and resources
available. It is essential to regularly communicate and collaborate with the school administration,
volunteers, and community stakeholders throughout the process.
List any and all lay staff and jobs needed to start and maintain a campus ministry.
Foster a sense of community and belonging- build relationships within the student ministry and
church
Helps teens to reach their friends and community
How to live a Christian life—apply the bible to their life and whats going on
Youth growing in knowledge of Jesus
Serving the church and community
Getting closer to each other
Youth to grow in spiritual wisdom
Live out the great commission- share jesus with their friends and with the community
Matthew 28:19-20
Ephesians 4:11-16
Ministry opportunities to serve
Biblical teaching, spiritual maturity
Look up Hebrews 12:1,14, philippians 1:6,2:12-13, colossians 1:9-10
Desire jesus about everything else- luke 14:26
Choose jesus as the most important(use these words not the ones above)
Teach youth the foundationsal truths of God’s word- proversbs 22:6- help students know Jesus
and love God’s word
Christian fellowship- offers safe and comfortable environment-
Reach out to the lost community and lost friends-
Live a godly life- changed by God- help them apply it- help to live it out
My CHURCH FORMAT
Wednesday nights is more relaxed and inviting for unsaved teens
Sunday mornings is used for discipleship and growth
Reaching students to grow and reach their friends and community
Find community with others and grow deeper in their faith
We want to reach students in the community and share Jesus’ love and help students know who
jesus is
Strive to equip out students to reach out to their peers, point them to jesus and make disciples
Teach students how to apply the Bible to their everyday life and the situations that come up in
the life of a teen
Reach lost students, helps students grow closer to Jesus, send students out to use their gifts
Focus on building christ centered relationships for the purpose of discipleship- not just the
numbers
Partner with parents deut 6:4-7
Share the gospel- the main purpose
Disciple students who are already saved- teaching students the bible and how to live
Partner with parents
Train student leaders- to serve in the church and community
Christian community- acts 2 build community in church
Help the youth have a relationship with God- equip them to grow in their faith, love and share
God’s love
Witness to students (john 17:14-19)
Invite youth to know and experience gods love (colossians 3:12-14, romans 15:7)
Partner with families ephesians 4:11-13, 16
Focused on building relationships- God sent jesus to restore our relationship (john 1:14)
Spiritual growth- 2 cor 13:11
Develop leaders 1 cor 12
Serve others matt 25:35-40
Community of faith
Help create a caring community of students who follow christ who will reach their peers and the
community with Christian love and truth
Develop a deeper relationship with Jesus, encourage Christian relationahips with other bleivers,
empower them to live a Christian life and engage nonbelievers.
Grow in their relationship with christ, lear to serve and share christ with their friends and the
world.
Help students have a deeper relationship with Jesus, empower students to live a Christian life and
to reach their peers and nonbelievers
Empowering Youth Leadership:
Our philosophy recognizes that youth have unique gifts, perspectives, and insights to offer
the faith community. We believe in empowering youth to take active leadership roles,
allowing them to contribute their talents, creativity, and passion to the ministry. Through
mentorship, discipleship, and intentional leadership development programs, we aim to equip
youth with the necessary skills and confidence to lead and serve within the faith community,
both now and in the future.
