Creating a culture of compassion, service, evangelism & leadership among our students.

Youth Ministry is extremely exciting, dynamic, complex, and challenging. The reward of seeing young people transformed by the Gospel is what makes every late night, every tough conversation, and every one of our best efforts worth giving. It has been said “Adolescence is just a phase, don’t miss it” and that is what we are going to do: we are going to lean in, love big, and work to navigate one of the most challenging seasons of life with our students. The relationships that begin at youth groups can last a lifetime and the impact of one leader who faithfully loves and gracefully challenges a young person to greater things by living out the Gospel can change the trajectory of a life and someone’s eternity. Youth ministry matters and you have a part to play in the story that God is weaving in the lives of our students. 

My prayer is that any student who becomes a part of Impact gains these four things at the end of their time with us.

1. A relationship with God that doesn’t put Him at the top, but in the center of the student’s life, where He influences and leads them in every area.
2. An understanding of the gospel that helps them share it with simplicity.
3. A community that gives them lifelong brothers and sisters in the faith.
4. The confidence to continue leading by serving.

It would be incredible for students to…..
1. …understand that Jesus commanded that we LOVE God and LOVE others
2. …think outside of themselves
3. …desire to serve…and then actually serve
4. …care about and share Jesus with their non-Christian friends
5. …lead among their peers and lead up inside & outside of the church
6. …see the needs of people around them and respond 

We want to. . . . . 

● Create a culture not a program. Create a movement not an elite club
● Encourage students to think outside of themselves
● Empower students to have COMPASSION, SERVE, and SHARE JESUS
● Create IMPACT opportunities for students at every level of faith
● Identify and encourage individual students to lead within IMPACT
● Empowering individual students and our group as a whole to have an IMPACT on our church, community and globe.

Growth (Spiritual Maturity)
We want to grow both deep and wide; deep in our relationship with God and wide in our reach. Knowing God looks different to every person, and for that we will give different avenues to connect with and mature in relationship with God. Discipleship takes time and intentionality, but this isn’t just a social club - this is a ministry focused on Jesus, the one who wants to have a relationship with our students.

Growth (Numbers)
We want to grow numbers. Why? Because we believe in the Gospel and as such we believe that Jesus came for the salvation of all.  This will happen when we challenge and pray for for our students to invite one person. We will grow one person and one story at a time.

Growing As A Ministry
 At the heart of IMPACT is the desire to reach as many students as possible. We will unapologetically promote invitation and growth. We will strive to increase our capacity to reach more students to tell them about Jesus.

The Fruit Of Ministry

We believe growth in numbers must be predicated by growth in the spiritual depth of our students' faith. Small groups, retreats, weekly encouragement, Bible study, and a vibrant prayer life are rhythms and habits that help cultivate healthy disciples. Making disciples is what IMPACT is about. Equipping disciples to make disciples is the fruit of our ministry.

We will lead with an attitude of love towards everyone. John 15:12 (ESV) “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

We will care about the condition of our hearts toward each other, and be quick to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

We will look for ways to go over and beyond being accepting and encouraging to one another. Romans 12:10 (ESV) “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

We will serve, promote and celebrate each other, as well as those we serve rather than ourselves. Philippians 2:4 (ESV) “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

We won’t use our influence for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others. Philippians 2:3 (ESV) “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

We will be inclusive, not exclusive, just as Jesus was who died for everyone and not just a few. NO CLIQUES James 2:1 (NLT) “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?”

We will be cautious about not letting our lives cause others to stumble. 2 Corinthians 6:3 (NLT) “We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.”

Core Values - Our D.N.A.

Jesus is Why
Developing a relationship with Jesus is the heartbeat of IMPACT. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus has freed us from the power of sin. We live in the wake of His grace and celebrate the power of His resurrection; we are free. Jesus brought you out of death and into life -- your calling is to share the gospel with every student within reach. We gather each week in order that young people can hear and experience the Gospel and the hope we have in Christ.

Acceptance ≠ Attendance
Students matter. This simple fact doesn’t change whether a student can make it to IMPACT each week. We recognize that there are seasons when sports, school, and many other factors will keep them from coming but it does not change the fact they are part of the IMPACT family. Life is messy for all people, especially young people. Jesus met with people at all stages of messiness on their own turf and we will go out of our way to meet students wherever they are in their journey with Christ. IMPACT is a place and a group of people that live this out.

Every Student Known

‘Every Student Known’ runs deeper than knowing the name of every student in our ministry. Our goal is to make Jesus known, not ourselves. We can’t transform someone’s heart, only God can. We want every student to have the opportunity to be known by a leader, known by their peers in their community, and experience the opportunity to know God. We will ask questions and listen compassionately. Each student's story is unique and we will strive to know them.