IGNITE Teens (grades 6-8) (grades 9-12)

Welcome to the Impact Church of the Woodlands Ignite youth ministry. We realize the teen years mark a pivotal and transitional period in the life of young people. Guiding your child from the teen years to adulthood can be challenging, however our Lord uses difficulties to develop character and to mature us. Our youth ministry partners with parents to help them grow in their relationship with Christ.

Purpose Statement

Impact Youth Ministry exists to introduce teens and young adults to a saving belief in Jesus Christ and to then provide them with resources for spiritual growth where they will have the opportunity to develop a Godly lifestyle that will create mature relationships and promote service to both God and others.

Biblical Principles

There are five elements that continually drive every aspect of our youth ministry. Each of these elements undergoes constant evaluation and re-evaluation followed by appropriate revision in order to reach the highest potential of effectiveness.

• Introduce: Fulfilling God’s purpose of Evangelism (Acts 1:8) A huge part of our heart and passion for ministry lies in unsaved students. These students are often overlooked and are just as important to the Lord as our mature Christian students. We believe that it is important for our ministry to focus on this un-reached group, present the gospel to them through relevant means, and introduce them to a saving belief in Christ.
• Growth: Fulfilling God’s purpose of Discipleship (Hebrews 6:1; Matt. 28:18-20) Every student needs to grow spiritually. God desires to spit out of His mouth those who are stagnant and lukewarm (Rev. 3:15-16). Part of our purpose is to provide students with an environment where they will be encouraged and aided toward hot spiritual maturity in Christ.

• Lifestyle: Fulfilling God’s purpose of Worship (Romans 12:1) There are many aspects as it relates to worship. It includes singing, praying (Psalms 95:6), hearing the Word (John 17:17; Deut. 31:11), giving (1Corinthians 16:1-2), baptizing (Roman 6:3-4), meditating (Habakkuk 2:20), partaking of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), and so much more. Each of these are just as important as musical worship and should be approached and implemented as such since worship is more accurately an approach to life than an act on Sunday mornings.
• Relationships: Fulfilling God’s purpose of Fellowship (Ephesians 2:19) A large majority of effective ministry takes place within the context of personal relationships with students. We believe it is vitally important for students to be plugged into a group of peers and adults where they can establish relationships of godly influences. Part of our purpose is introducing students to such influential people.
• Service: Fulfilling God’s purpose of Ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12) Every student has been blessed with spiritual gifts provided by God for the edification of others. Students of any age are able to use those gifts in service to God and others. When each of their unique gifts are implemented, both the ministry and the student will grow.

Core Values

Our core values reveal what is important to our ministry. These are the values we desire our ministry to reflect. Each is strategically planned and implemented as much as possible.

Heart for mission                                      Relationships                                 Bible based      

Welcome all kids                                      Small groups                                  Life transformation Food                                                           Fun                                                 Spiritual Growth          

Equipping loving confrontation               Safe environment                           Prayer                            

Dream without boundaries                     Personal worship                            Musical Worship          

Value the Holy Spirit’s working              Christ                                                Evangelism                   

Teach by modeling/example                  Support for parents                         Confidentiality            

Student Leadership/Ministry                  Strive for excellence                        Never in competition

                                                  We value students individually,not collectively                     

• Prayer: (Romans 12:12) Prayer and devotion is an important part of our ministry’s atmosphere. Prayer that comes from a heart of devotion to God.
• Unconditional Love: (John 15:12-13; Romans 12:9-10) There are many unconditional attitudes we seek to demonstrate through this: unconditional acceptance, caring, compassion, and a sense of security. It communicates to students that this is a place where they know they are genuinely loved and they are welcome no matter what.
• Trust: (James 5:16) In order for students to accept the messages we present to them, there must be an element of trust established between us. This includes the idea of trusting each other in such a way that hypocrisy is unnecessary and easily put aside allowing us to be real, honest, and genuine with each other.
• Respect: (1 Peter 2:17) Everyone has different opinions and perspectives. We do not push students to Christ. We respect their wishes and let them discover Him on their own pace. There is also a general respect for people’s time, efforts and values.
• Encouragement: (Hebrews 3:13) No one likes walking down a hard unknown path without support. Neither do students enjoy walking down an unfamiliar spiritual road without support and encouragement. Our ministry is built on motivation and support through encouragement in every area of a student’s life.
• Fun: (Ecclesiastes 3:4) We value a light atmosphere of fun and laughter when appropriate. God made humans with the ability to laugh and have fun, so that ability should be implemented into ministry. This joyful atmosphere can be used to enhance relationships by allowing students to relax and feel more comfortable. It can also all for them to be more receptive to our message.
• Challenges: (Ephesians 4:1; 1 Peter 2:11) The balance to fun is the challenging aspect of our ministry’s core values. We challenge the students in different aspects of their lives, but most importantly challenge them in a deeper understanding of the Bible’s content and its application to their daily lives.
• Hospitality: (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9) We extend ourselves and our resources to each other. This involves creating an environment that is seeker sensitive.