Youth Ministry

Through times of teaching and fellowship, we seek to lead Middle School (Grades 6-8) and High School (Grades 9–12) students to trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and to become established in him for a lifetime of faith. We seek to shepherd students through teaching, worship, small group interactions, retreats, camps, outreach, and special events.

Our aim in all of this is to partner with parents who are the primary disciple makers of their children. We seek to support and equip them as they, by God’s grace, point their children to Jesus for their ever-increasing delight in him.

Middle School

Over the course of three years, we equip students to receive and live by the gospel. We aim for salvation, sanctification, and satisfaction in Jesus. We seek to cultivate and reinforce a biblical identity and worldview where students read and interpret the Bible rightly. We model and develop healthy relationships within the wider body of Christ for fellowship, encouragement, care, and spiritual growth and provide opportunities for students to relate to mentors and peers through activities, discussion, and various events.

In Room C402-404, from 6:50 to 8:15pm, we journey through the Bible and learn how to understand the author’s intention. We also share our lives with smaller groups and play a fun game or two.
Join us in Room C402-404 from 10:45 to 12:30pm as we learn to study God’s word. We also go deeper in relationships with small groups of students and connect in fun activities.
Jump into summer with us as we go to Summer Camp, ride bikes, hike and visit far-away Duluth. We aim at building relationships and learning to walk by faith in Jesus as we engage in beautiful Minnesota summer activities.

High School

Over the course of four years, we seek to point students to Jesus, that they might receive and live by his gospel. We seek to help them become biblical self-feeders, able to uncover intention in Scripture. We set aside regular time for them to enjoy biblical community, building context for and practicing the one-anothers. Our teaching walks through books of the Bible and seeks topically to establish a biblical worldview and skills for humble engagement. Our desire is that they would become, “Oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD that he may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)

We gather during the school year in the gym from 6:50 to 8:30pm to connect with one another, build a biblical worldview through teaching, and engage in small groups. On the final Wednesday of the month we gather in homes for a meal, worship in song, and to focus on fellowship.
We gather weekly during the school year in the gym from 10:45am to 12:30pm for food and connection, studying the book of 1 Samuel, and discussion in brother-sister small groups.
We gather in backyards, beaches, and parks throughout the summer to build community, welcome in new students, and to seek Jesus. We begin sharing our summer-long schedule with families in late Spring.

Youth Retreats

Middle and High School students (Grades 6–12) are invited to join us for a weekend away at Camp Lebanon. We worship together, sit under God’s word, connect with one another, and enjoy the many gifts of winter. This normally takes place the last weekend of January.
Camp is a time for Middle Schoolers to get away from normal life and meet with God (Mk. 6:31a). Getting away from normal life and engaging in undistracted worship and play allows us refreshment of soul and connection with God. This week-long camp happens in mid June.
Awaken, our Middle School and High School Fall Retreat, is spent in the Twin Cities. This retreat gives students the opportunity to build community for the year ahead and focus on the LORD. Students stay in mentor-led small groups at local host homes, and use The North Church facilities for sessions, meals, and activities. Awaken takes place every October.

Our ambition as a church is to “tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done” (Psalm 78:4). We desire our church to be a place of safety and blessing for students (birth to age 18), where they can grow, form friendships, and learn to experience and share the love of Christ. Yet in a fallen world we cannot assume that “inside” the church is safe. Therefore, we must protect our children—in every aspect of our life together—from threats like false doctrine as well as harm and abuse. While we cannot guarantee that harm will never happen to children at The North Church, we are committed to taking reasonable steps to reduce risk and protect them. Our desire is to cultivate a culture not of fear, but one that is proactive and protective, prioritizing our student’s wellbeing. You can learn more below about the ways our leadership seeks to safeguard our children and find ways that you can join us in this important work.