Our Student IMPACT teen programs are designed to support students as they journey through life during the challenging years of middle and high school. We impact their lives with the message of the Gospel, help it to take root and grow so they can make an impact on the world around them. The mission of Student IMPACT is to walk beside and to support and partner with parents in their role as the primary spiritual nurturer in the life of their student.
Students in grades 6-8 and 9-12 have a variety of opportunities to get involved in Student IMPACT. Our weekly Sunday morning classes (including Confirmation class for high school students), Sunday evening youth group gatherings, and Wednesday evening small group studies offer ways to build meaningful personal and spiritual relationships, as well as provide students with a platform to examine their faith, and make the decision to follow Jesus. We also offer retreats and mission trip opportunities that allow students to dive deeper into their faith.
Middle School & High School
Students meet on Sunday mornings at the 10:10 AM hour. This dedicated time is an opportunity for students to learn and grow in their faith through Bible teaching, discussion, and prayer support. Although this is a classroom format, there is no homework requirement and students can join the class at any time. The Middle School program is led by Marissa Kotanichek, our Middle School Coordinator. The High School class is led by Levi Cole, our High School Coordinator.
Middle School & High School
When we meet: Sundays at 10:10 AM (join any time!)
Where we meet: Clayton Center
Who are the leaders: Marissa Kotanichek (MS), Levi Cole (HS)
Confirmation Class* (for students in grades 9-12)
When we meet: Sundays at 10:10 AM
Where we meet: Clayton Center Gym
Who is the leader: Ryan Pietryga, Director of Family Ministries
What we study: Biblical history, the core beliefs of Christianity, and church membership.
*Students must indicate their interest in this class at the beginning of the ministry year as the class begins. The class runs through the fall and spring, culminating with a Confirmation celebration in May/June.
Middle School
Our Sunday evening youth group gatherings are held each week from 4:30-6:00 PM in Clayton Center. We begin our evening with games and fellowship, followed by a time of worship, a speaker-led teaching and small group discussion.
When we meet: 4:30-6:00 PM
Where we meet: Westminster Hall
What we do: games and fellowship; worship; a speaker-led teaching and small group discussion
High School
Our Sunday evening youth group gatherings are held each week from 6:30-8:30 PM in Clayton Center. We begin our evening with games and fellowship, followed by a time of worship, a speaker-led teaching and small group discussion.
When we meet: 6:30-8:30 PM
Where we meet: Westminster Hall
What we do: games and fellowship; worship; a speaker-led teaching and small group discussion
Middle & High School LIFE Groups
Teen LIFE Groups are a great way to dive deeper into scripture as we meet for small group study. Teen LIFE Groups for both Middle and High School meet on Wednesday evenings at the Clayton Center from 7:00-8:30 PM. Guys and girls meet separately for study and discussion and students can join at any time during the year.
When we meet: 7:00-8:30 PM
Where we meet: Clayton Center (guys & girls meet separately for small group study)
Once a year, students and Student IMPACT leaders head to Laurelville Camp and Conference Center for a weekend of building relationships, growing closer to Jesus, and having fun! Generally, the Laurelville Retreat happens in late fall and is scheduled for Friday-Sunday. We have a retreat for Middle School and High School. Activities have an emphasis on fun, recreation, Bible lessons and traditional camp activities–hiking, swimming, crafts, mini golf, and Ga Ga ball. Learn more about Laurelville Retreat Center here. As details become available for our trip, we will post them here.
Mission Trips & Outreach
Mission trips and outreach projects are great ways to grow in your faith while serving to further God's kingdom. Stretching and reaching beyond your comfort zone to help the needy and hurting in our community and our world can be a life-changing and everlasting experience.
Our local outreach involvement is with Presents for Patients through the Giving Tree at MPC in December, and throughout the year, we partner with North Hills Community Outreach Food Bank, Compassion Day, World Vision, and The Pittsburgh Project. Extending beyond our community, we also collect shoes for Soles for Jesus and raise funds for the children of Sierra Leone through our annual Fast for Leone in the spring.
Our high school students have the opportunity to participate in a domestic mission trip every summer and an international mission trip every other summer, while our middle school students have the opportunity to participate in a local service week held in the summer. Students spend the week sleeping at the Clayton Center and going out into the community to serve each day.
As details become available for our summer experiences, we will post them here.
June 17-23
Students grades 9-12 are invited to serve on this year's summer mission trip to West Viriginia! We will be partnering with Praying Pelicans Missions as we look to love and serve the people of West Virginia. This week-long trip is $500 (a $100 deposit is required with registration). We will leave by bus on June 17 from the Clayton Center and return on June 23. More details will be provided to registered students and parents.
Register by May 15 (Registration opens in February)
Middle School Mission Trip Experience: Serve City
July 24-28
Serve City is back! Middle school students are invited to join us for a local mission trip experience this July. We will be partnering with many local ministries to show kids how we can make a difference serving those around us. Students will be dropped on on July 24 and spend the week in the Clayton Center. Each day, the group will head to a local organization to serve, then return to the Clayton Center for a daily recap and reflection time. This is going to be an amazing week that will balance fun and service!
Register by June 26 (Registration opens in late February)