“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)

People often say, “Our teens are the church of tomorrow.”

At Sterling First, we believe our teens are the church of TODAY. Our youth program seeks to help our teens understand how God wants to use them to build His Kingdom. Through our weekly meetings and annual events, we focus on getting teens involved to make a difference for Christ in the world around them.

Youth Group

Our main youth group meetings are Wednesday nights from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Youth group is open to anyone grades 7-12. The teens can grab something to eat at our snack bar while they hang out with their friends. We have some fun with a game or two before we move to a time of praise and worship with our student-lead praise team. Lessons and small group discussion are biblically based and presented in a way to help teens engage with the Bible and see how it applies to their lives.

Sunday School

Teens can go deeper into the word during Sunday school. The teen Sunday school class meets Sundays from 9:45-10:30 a.m. Lessons focus on helping the teens learn more about God’s Word and what it means to follow Christ. The occasional donut or breakfast pizza is enjoyed, too.

Game Nights

Once a month we have a high-energy game night at the church. These outreach events are a highlight for our teens. We play all kinds of high-energy games, with plenty of snacks and pizza to enjoy. Once it gets dark, we turn the lights out for Aliens (extreme freeze tag in the dark). It’s as crazy as it sounds, but a lot of fun!

Fibers of Life

An intergenerational ministry centered around the fiber arts, Fibers of Life is a unique small group. Young and old alike gather to teach and learn how to knit, crochet, and more. But deeper than that, the group provides a forum for the different age groups to learn from each other and connect and grow together.

Teen Camp

Teen Camp is an annual event not to be missed. Teens can start their summer with a week-long getaway where they can make new friends, have a lot of fun, and experience God in new ways. Camp is held at Lake Williamson in Carlinville, IL.

Celebrate Life

We have a lot of gifted teens, and Celebrate Life is an opportunity for them to use their gifts to glorify God. Whether it’s music, art, quizzing, or sports, Celebrate Life has something for everyone! Teens first compete on a district level, and then advance to the regional competition in the spring at Olivet Nazarene University.

30-Hour Famine

According to World Vision, more than 22,000 children die every day due to hunger related causes. These deaths are 100% preventable, and our teens do their part to help. The 30 Hour Famine is a weekend for teens to make a definite difference for these children. Through fundraisers, the teens earn money to help feed these children. Then on famine weekend, the teens identify with these children by going without food for 30 Hours. The weekend is a powerful one, making a definite impact on the world and the teens’ lives. For more information, visit www.30hourfamine.org/naz/