Students
Forming relationships within a Jesus-centered community
“forming next generation followers of Jesus in a small group culture by being, becoming, and doing.”
We know that every person and every part of our ministry is formational in the lives of the teenagers that God entrusts to us.
Small Groups are the soil in which we want everything to grow out of! All our efforts are aimed at connecting teens to a circle of trusted peers and adults.
Discipleship is a churchy word that simply means to be followers, learners, or “apprentices” of Jesus. We want to be intentional about what this actually looks like with us. We’ve adopted John Mark Comer’s language of reorienting our lives around three goals:
Being with Jesus
Becoming like Jesus
Doing what Jesus did
We can’t wait to model these and practice being, becoming, and doing alongside your teen at our Gathering Nights and Small Group Nights throughout the school-year!
Gathering Nights take place on the first Wednesday of the month starting in September through April
Small Group Nights take place on the second, third, fourth (and sometimes fifth) Wednesdays of the month
Both G Nights and SG Nights happen on Wednesdays from 6:30-8PM
Dress Theme: Retro
Let's see that outfit from your favorite decade !!!
Family Gathering Night
October 2nd, 6:30-8 PM
ALL household families are invited to join us for our Family Gathering Night!
What can families expect?
- Think of this as a “preview night” where you get to participate as much as you want and observe what OSM looks like on Gathering Nights
- We will have reserved tables for families to sit at together (you are welcome to sit with your teen if you are both ENTHUSIASTIC about it!)
- We will dismiss you to the Middle School Youth Room when Sam McConnel kicks off our new teaching series on “identity”
- Ryan will meet you in the youth room to talk through all things OSM, take questions, and lead you through a couple “low-key and no pressure” activities
Student Ministry Calendar
September
4 Kickoff
11 Small Group Night
18 Small Group Night
25 Small Group Night
October
2 Family Gathering Night
9 Small Group Night
16 Small Group Night
23 Small Group Night
30 Fall Party
November
6 Gathering Night
13 Small Group Night
20 Unleash Compassion Night
27 NO OSM
December
4 Christmas Party
11 Small Group Night
18 NO OSM
25 NO OSM
Families, thank you for checking out One Student Ministry!
Our team desires to partner with your family by mentoring, leading, and helping your student take next steps toward Jesus as they walk through their time in middle school and high school. Thank you for trusting us to invest in your student!
Ryan Pennington
Student Ministry Pastor
Meet our Small Group Leader Team!
We believe that the influence of the family and the local church in the life of a teenager is better together than alone.
Our team is prepared and ready to serve our students and families. Our preparation includes:
– Background checks
– Three trainings in August
– Monthly hangouts for training and prayer
– A virtual training event with Orange strategists
What to expect on Gathering Nights
These take place on the first Wednesday of the month in the gym! This is the only Wednesday night where middle school and high school will be combined.
West doors open an hour early at 5:30PM. Students will check-in at the large desk in the Welcome Center and enjoy free snacks, play 9 square, talk with their friends, play Mario Kart in the youth room, or work on homework until the countdown ends at 6:30.
The evening consists of large group games, worship through song and prayer, conversation at round tables, and engaging with a new message series from one of our communicators!
Fun fact: you’ll see a variety of adult leaders AND students participating in leadership roles throughout the night!
What to expect on Small Group Nights
These take place on the Wednesdays that follow a Gathering Night. This is where authentic relationships rooted in Jesus come to life!
Middle schoolers will gather in the youth room at 6:30PM for a game, announcements, and the teaching video that continues the message series. After the video, they scatter into their small groups on 4th floor as they connect with a smaller circle of peers and their adult small group leaders.
High schoolers will gather on 4th floor and have access to The Sweet Stop, a concession shop led by students. At 6:30PM they have announcements and a teaching video that continues the message series. After the video, they scatter into their small groups on 4th floor as they connect with a smaller circle of peers and their adult small group leaders.