Grace Chapel Youth Ministry

Integrating Sunday School and Youth Group to help Students know Jesus Christ

Our Mission

To share the Gospel with the youth of Grace Chapel and beyond, through the cultivation of relationships, small groups and direct discipleship; to help them grow in knowledge, love, and service of Christ; so that they may fulfill the Great Commission.

1 Thessalonians 2:8

“We love you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”

What is our Youth Ministry at Grace all about?

Jesus had a master plan while He was here on earth. He was sent from the Father to go and make disciples and establish His church through His work of atonement on the cross. As regenerated people who have the Holy Spirit, we seek to follow that example by making disciples.

This youth ministry is not about programs. It is not about attracting students to a fun event. This is already a consumer mentality world, and the big question on peoples minds are, “What’s in it for me?” That is not a Christ focused mentality. Our focus is bringing the students to Christ and following His example. We do this through one-on-one mentoring and small groups so that students can become ministers to one another. This has totally changed the perspective of our youth ministry. Instead of students showing up to our youth group for their own self-interest, they are coming on a mission to fellowship and reach out to those who need to be loved. We are equipping them to be the missionaries that Jesus calls us all to be.

High School Ministry

Youth Group Sunday Nights 6-8:30 Grades 9-12th Our group creates a comfortable atmosphere where they are always on mission inviting friends and ministering to one another. We have mixers and games to help spur on relationships and a discussion on scripture and matters of faith.

Small groups These all-female or all-male groups meet once a week at the home of a student. An adult leader works closely with a student leader and his or her small group, in order to dive deeper into scripture or another guided study. These small groups provide students the opportunities to have rich discussions to have accountability, and to share their lives with one another, while seeking to know Jesus more. Check the church bulletin for times and days.

Middle School Ministry

Youth Group Thursday Nights 7-8:30 Grades 6-8th
This group is designed to introduce them to a more radical way of living the Gospel, while recognizing that they are beginning to form new ways of thinking and interacting with their peers. We nurture their understanding and challenge them to be more disciplined in their faith. We have group mixers, games, and teachings similar to high school.

Special Events/Service Projects

Throughout the school year, the youth participate in several special events and service projects. The following is a sample of events that take place throughout the school year: The 40 Day Challenge, World Visions 30-Hour Famine, movie nights, game nights, visits to the Schenectady City Mission, trips to Six Flags, camping trips, and much more!

Working as a Team with Parents...

The parent‘s primary role is to raise children who are godly, mature and prepared to make a contribution to society – a tall order! Our role as Teachers and Youth Leaders is to build bridges and come alongside parents to provide godly assistance in teaching and modeling Christianity. We cannot make your children love God, but we can assist you, as you nurture the seeds of faith. During the critical teen years, our teachers and youth leaders will carefully and prayerfully show them Jesus, as they teach Gods Word, model a Christian lifestyle, and befriend your young person.

We will stay connected to you, through Parent Advisors, parents who will seek to encourage, while providing pertinent information that will impact you and your teens. Monthly updates of progress in Sunday School and Youth meetings will help you understand what your young person is experiencing in our meetings and classes.

Missions Emphasis...

Today‘s youth are almost totally focused on themselves, their surroundings and their culture, all of which tells them very little of the real world. In the real world: almost half of all people go to bed hungry, more Christians are martyred for their faith than any other time in history, and almost half of the world‘s population have never heard the name, “Jesus”.

When the Bible tells us, “God so loved the world” (John 3:16), God meant the whole world and not just our comfortable nation! It is imperative that we expose our young people to the cry and need of the world. Therefore, we will be utilizing “Voice of the Martyrs”, a resource on the persecuted church around the world, and MAF: “Mission Aviation Fellowship”, a vital and strategic partner with many mission organizations, offering airplane transportation and support. These resources will bring a greater awareness of what missions is all about. They will allow your son and or daughter to be encouraged to share the love of Jesus with others as they participate in various outreach opportunities.