Student Ministries
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Students at First Christian Church of Chicago are vital to our ministry and to the life of the church. Our students are essentially the lifeblood for the future of our congregation.
So in order to be effective in ministering to our students, our Student Ministry must help students build the foundation for a life of loving, following and serving Jesus. That task requires that the entire church body engage in helping students become like Christ, and engage students in helping others become like Christ.
While our ministry has some programs for specific age groups, our approach is different from that of student ministries which isolate students within their own programs with limited to no contact with adults in the church family. Ministries like these have contributed to an environment in which 80% of American students who grow up in church now leave the church upon graduation from high school.
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1. Students need to be included in the larger life of the Church body. When possible, “adult” ministries need to be adapted to embrace the presence of students alongside the adults, instead of always segregating church programs by age.
2. Students need to have relationships with the broader Church membership. Since many adults have valuable insights that would help students become more Christ-like, we encourage the development of relationships across the generations.
3. Students need to make meaningful contribution to ministry. From an early age, we begin letting our students experience the joy of serving others. By the time they reach high school, we begin working with students to help them discover their God-designed place for ministry and plug them into “adult” ministry.
The Student Ministry at First Christian Church of Chicago seeks to help students cooperate with the entire church body in building Christ-likeness in others. For more information about our Student Ministry, contact Gincy Hartin at gbhartin.fcc@comcast.net .
Sunday Morning Student Ministry Environments
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On Sunday mornings at FCC, students join the adults for a time of praise and worship in the main auditorium. Also, many students serve in areas of ministry during the Worship Celebration, including media production, worship leading, and serving communion. At around 10:40AM, before the sermon begins, students are invited to participate in Student Connection Groups which take place while the adults are listening to the sermon. Preschoolers and elementary-age students meet in classrooms where they are engaged in Bible-centered lessons and activities that are age-appropriate. Jr. and Sr. High students meet separately in the Youth Room to discuss a variety of topics which are relevant to their daily lives, and also to engage in Bible-centered studies designed to promote their spiritual growth. A play area is provided for Infants and Toddlers next to the main auditorium so that parents can supervise their little ones while listening to the sermon.
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Student Sundays occur quarterly on the 5th Sundays. These are Sundays in which our students engage in ministry by helping to plan and lead the Worship Celebration. The lesson themes on Student Sundays are planned with an emphasis on student engagement and building mentoring relationships between students and adults.
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The Praise Dance Ministry is a praise dance team for girls in Kindergarten through high school. Dancers perform during the Student Sunday Worship Celebrations and other events throughout the year.
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American Heritage Girls allows girls to experience new challenges, serve others, make new friends and have tons of fun, all in a safe, faith-filled environment. Whether your daughter wants to learn more about aviation, learn to paddle a canoe, or ice the perfect cake, AHG’s program is ready to inspire her to new heights.