Middle School Youth

The middle school years are full of excitement and change as students transition from being "kids" to "youth". It is a time of crisis, personal discovery, increased social- and self-awareness, and a journey of discovering how to relate to God and others. The Middle School Community welcomes all students in sixth through eighth grade, their parents/guardians, and their Small Group leaders to walk through this pivotal time together.

For families with students experiencing disability, we encourage you to explore our church's AccessAbility Community Group, which is dedicated to including and supporting those experiencing disability and their families in the full life of the church.

Mission and Vision

Mission

Community. Curiosity. Compassion.

We desire to walk with students as they discover (or rediscover) a God who deeply loves and knows them, a community who values and accepts them, and a purpose that invites them to faithfully follow Jesus and passionately serve His Kingdom in a way that inspires others to do the same.

Vision

Identity. Belonging. Purpose.

Our vision is for every Middle School Student to enter into High School with an identity taking root in Christ, a Christ-centered group of friends and adults with whom to “do life together”, and life-giving practices that equip them to be faithful so that they can passionately pursue opportunities to serve and share the Kingdom of God within their circles of influence.

Our Values

The ABC’s of Highrock Middle School Ministry

Affirmation (Honesty)

Freed from shame by God’s grace, we offer one another truth and our true selves, both our weaknesses and strengths by reminding one another of our true identity as God’s children; we communicate acceptance and value by consistently encouraging one another with our thoughts, words and actions.

Belonging (Hospitality)

Compelled by God’s love, we remove barriers in order to welcome all people into God’s community. We join in a relationship with others in a community marked by love, joy, warmth and forgiveness.

Christ-Centeredness (Humility)

Awed by God’s grandeur and mystery, we depend on God fully while holding convictions humbly. Captivated by God’s self-revelation, we seek wisdom by asking questions, wrestling with Scripture, and learning from many voices. We center our hope in Christ by trusting and obeying His Word seeking to do justice, live humbly and love mercy.

Safe (Curiosity)

We work towards building a culture of trust, transparency, and vulnerability where students can ask questions, express their doubts, and be curious in safe relationships and spaces.

Solidarity

Inspired by the passion of Jesus, we share the burdens of others, and put love into action. We actively participate in the body of Christ, using the gifts God has given to serve those in the church and outside of it.

Our Strategy

Be Present

Connect their faith to a community.

Create a Safe Place

Clarify their faith as they grow.

Partner with Parents

Nurture an every day faith.

Make it Personal

Inspire their faith by example.

Move Them out

Engage their faith in a bigger story.

A Parent's Role

Parents are encouraged to partner with us by following along with the weekly curriculum, continuing the conversations at home, and inviting their middleschoolers into their discipleship journey. We also partner with parents through the Milestones program. At each of a student’s key transitions and spiritual milestones, we offer instruction in raising a Jesus-loving generation.

Online Community

Throughout the week, we invite students to connect to God personally through worship, spiritual disciplines and Christ-centered teaching relevant to their lives. We encourage students to connect to God’s people by having fun together and experiencing life-giving relationships in their Small Groups (organized by grade and gender). We help students to connect to God’s purposes by giving them age-appropriate opportunities to use their gifts to serve the Church, their peers, their communities, and the world!

Students can engage with us through our YouTube channel, the Bible App, and our Instagram account. Students are encouraged to connect throughout the week with one another using these platforms.

Parents are invited to join our Facebook Community to connect with one another through dialogue, explore relevant and helpful content, and engage in discipleship together as a community of parents.

We’ll also be offering forums on various topics such as mental health, sexuality, technology, spiritual conversations with your teens, and more throughout the year using Facebook or YouTube Live.

Want to Know More?

Have questions or want to get involved? Contact Middle School Pastor Michael Taber at michael@highrock.org

Facebook Group

Highrock Parents of Teens

Related Resources

Contact Information

Michael Taber

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