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St. John's Youth
Belong. Grow. Serve.
Youth Ministry
For 6th–12th Grade
The St. John's Youth Ministry is a place where students build friendships, ask honest questions, deepen their faith, and discover ways to make a difference in the world. Through worship, study, service, and fun, we help young people grow into lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.
Faith That Connects to Real Life
Youth
Sunday School
Led by Beth and Stephen LaCour, our youth Sunday School is currently focusing on "Connecting Faith, Justice, & Real Life," a discussion-based curriculum that helps students explore Scripture, current events, and social issues through a faith-centered lens. Drawing from United Methodist Church & Society and Justice Lectionary themes, students are encouraged to think deeply, ask questions, and discover how faith shapes everyday life.
Build Community, Grow Together
Youth Group
Sundays | 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Youth Group is a time for fellowship, games, meaningful conversation, service projects, and spiritual growth. Students build lasting friendships while learning what it means to follow Jesus in today's world. Dinner is served each week to kick off our time together.
To provide a youth meal, contact Kate Bouchillon.
Making a difference together
Serving Our Neighbors
Service opportunities include:
- Great Turkey Giveaway
- Days for Girls
- Shepherd's Market Food Drives
- Serve At The Shepherd’s Market
- Church-Wide Workdays
- St. Mark’s UMC Mission, New Orleans
- Local Missions
- Summer Mission Trips
Where Faith Finds Its Voice
The 99 Youth Band
Sunday rehearsals at 4:00 p.m.-5:00 pm.
The 99 is St. John's youth worship band, where middle and high school students use their musical gifts to lead others in worship and grow in faith together. Whether you sing, play an instrument, or serve behind the scenes, there's a place for you. Our youth band rehearses at 4:00 p.m. each Sunday before Youth Group. The name reflects Jesus' parable of the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to seek the one, reminding us that every person matters to God. New students are always welcome to join us.
gathering together
Annual
Youth Events
Annual favorites include:
- Parents Night Out Babysitting Helpers
- St. John's Showcase
- Mystery Night
- Grub Sunday
- Seasonal fellowship events and special gatherings
our sunday biscuits are pretty famous
Sunday "Upstairs Café"
During the school year, the Upstairs Café opens at 9:30 a.m. as children and students (Kindergarten through 12th grade) arrive for Sunday morning activities. It's a welcoming place to grab a snack, catch up with friends, and relax before heading to age-appropriate Sunday School classes, which begin around 10:00 a.m. Whether you're new or have been coming for years, the Upstairs Café is a great place to start your Sunday.
All families bring fresh, cut fruit to share with everyone on a rotating basis during the school year.
serving baton rouge and beyond
Youth Missions
Our youth serve throughout the year through local mission projects, community partnerships, church workdays, and mission trips. These experiences give students opportunities to put their faith into action, build relationships, and discover how they can make a real difference in the lives of others.
Youth participate in food drives, the Great Turkey Giveaway, Days for Girls, church workdays, community service projects, and summer mission trips. Recent trips have included home repair projects in the Mississippi Delta and a week of service in Houston, where students served meals to people experiencing homelessness, participated in sports ministry with children, and visited nursing homes.
Solidifying Your Faith
Youth Confirmation Classes
As students begin to make their faith their own, St. John's periodically offers Confirmation Classes for youth, typically every other year when enough students are ready to participate together. During Confirmation, students explore the Christian faith more deeply, learn what it means to follow Christ, and discover the beliefs and traditions of the church. The journey concludes with the opportunity to publicly profess their faith, commit their lives to Christ, and become members of St. John's. Confirmation classes may be offered during Sunday School or at another scheduled time, depending on the year.
make sunday nights welcoming!
Provide A Meal
For the Kids & Youth
Providing dinner for our Sunday evening Kids’ Night and Youth Group is a meaningful way to support our children and youth! Meals can be homemade, picked up from a favorite restaurant, or cooked from scratch. You'll be helping out with both dinner and fellowship for our youngest members. Fill out the form below to sign up to provide a meal or learn more about serving with Family Ministries.