What's Coming Up for Anthem, Parkway's Youth Ministry?
Wondering what happens at Parkway Church’s youth group? Do you know of a young person who needs to get connected? You’ve come to the right place!
Anthem, Parkway’s Youth Ministry, aims to create a community for young people between the ages of 12 and 18, facilitating biblical teaching, godly relationships, and a ton of fun!
We caught up with our Anthem Leaders this week and got the scoop on what’s happening in Anthem right now.
When Does Anthem Meet?
Our youth typically meet in the Anthem youth room in the Parkway Event Center on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Other planned events and activities also take place periodically outside of Wednesday Anthem meetings.
“We will occasionally meet on a Friday night or Saturday for a fun time to grow in unity and relationship with one another,” Cassidy Gorniak said. “This can look like a Galentine’s Party, open gym, youth rally, a girls’ sleepover, etc.”
While Anthem does meet year-round — whether it’s Wednesday nights or other scheduled events — the first month or two of every year starts with our young people joining the rest of the church for Wednesday On Campus nights in the sanctuary. This helps align them with the church’s vision for the year.
The first official Anthem night of 2024 will be on March 13th!
What Happens at Anthem Meetings?
So, what does a typical Wednesday night look like for Anthem? John Gorniak explained that the meetings usually start with a relaxed time of playing sports in the gym or battling it out on the air hockey, foosball, or ping pong tables. Then at 7pm, the meeting starts with an icebreaker game or activity that leads into the lesson.
“The lesson can be a speaker, panel or small group discussion,” John explained. “And the topics are always relevant to the students.”
After the meeting, students can stay in the youth room to enjoy games or return to the gym until it's time to go home. And, of course, there are also SNACKS!
Praise Reports From 2023
Last year was an amazing year for Anthem, with 25 first-time guests that attended Wednesday night meetings. Anthem also had one student baptized in 2023 and two who received the Holy Ghost — one at camp and one at Winter Youth Convention.
“Thank you for investing in your students by sending them to these events,” Sammy Kalski said. “We're so proud of our students and all they do to serve God!”
Some of our young people even took the initiative to start student-led Bible studies at their schools last year. Two students started an online Project 7 Club — a UPCI Bible study program geared toward middle school and high school students. Another one started a CMI chapter geared toward college-aged students. Our church’s youth has some amazing disciples!
What’s Coming Up for Anthem?
Aside from the first Anthem meeting on March 13th, our youth ministry has some big plans for this year.
Parent Night is scheduled in April
Tribe Wars Draft Night is also in April (Cassidy says this is going to be a little different this year, so students won’t want to miss out!)
5th Grade Preview Night is in May
“Anthem is such an important ministry for many reasons,” said Cassidy. “It’s a place of community and relationship building, and we help strengthen the foundations that have been taught at home and in Sunday School. It’s also a place for our students to create disciples by inviting their friends!”
Support Parkway’s Youth Ministry!
It’s been said that youth are the hope of the future, and this truth is so important for us to recognize in the church today. After all, our young people will carry the message of the Gospel to the next generation, and according to the Psalmist:
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”
So, give our youth leaders some love and support for the investments they’re making in tomorrow’s church!