FOCUS exists to bring glory to God by leading middle school students toward maturity in Christ.
The Ministry
For most students, middle school is not a smooth steady road to maturity, but rather a string of dramatic experiences. Some can be moments of pain and some of joy. Our ministry is designed for students grades 6-8 from middle schools all over Clark County. Our goals are to create significant, life-changing moments through ongoing relationships that are FOCUSed on Jesus and to love students unconditionally as Jesus does. We also see the necessary influence adults should have on students, and that’s why we as a staff are committed to team up with parents and help middle school students make positive life decisions and direct them to Jesus.
FOCUS (Friday Nights beginning July 11, 7-9)
Friday nights is an environment that is relevant to life, development, and interests of students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. We hang out with our friends, we play games, we give out prizes, we sing and dance for Jesus, we talk about Jesus, and the goal is that we would discover why we should and how to FOCUS our attention and affection on Jesus. All that fun stuff, all that friendship stuff, and all of that serious stuff; whether we are laughing or crying, playing or working, singing or listening, we would FOCUS on Jesus, the God who is worth FOCUSing on.
Small Groups (Sundays, 11-12:30)
Picture five or six middle school students getting together in a group, led by an adult volunteer, every week to laugh together, grow in Jesus-FOCUSed relationships together, share about life together, talk about the bible together, and pray together. We believe through Jesus’ ministry that authentic relationships with other Christian peers fosters an environment for spiritual growth. Getting to know Jesus is our number one priority at FOCUS, therefore we have designed a place where students can challenge and encourage one another toward a deeper, more authentic and real relationship with the living Jesus. We call these places small groups. These groups are organized according to the grade, gender, and school of the student, that they might build close friendships and encourage one anther frequently at school or in passing outside of church.
Camps and Retreats
GRIT [0] (June 29-July 3), Mission PDX (Veteran's Day weekend), and Snow What? (2nd weekend in February) are not intended to be completely separate events, but rather a springboard for all things prior and those yet to come. They are times to get away from all the distractions of daily life and FOCUS on Jesus. It is during these times that the students truly learn the meaning of teamwork and family. They work together, learn together, worship together, pray together and play together. It is an incomparable and unforgettable time.
Volunteering
Process to volunteer:
1. Spend six months actively participating in the life of the church
2. Express interest in serving in Middle School ministry
3. Receive FOCUS mission statement application
4. Observe FOCUS Sunday morning and or Friday night
5. Meet with Executive Staff for interview after completing application and background check
6. Begin ministry in FOCUS
Click HERE [0] to download the Volunteer Application!
For more information about FOCUS, contact:
Casey Graves [0] - Middle School Pastor