Youth Ministry at ZBC
Late middle school and into high school are the most pivotal times of formation in a young person’s life. Daily, they consider questions like : Who am I? Who am I not? Who will I become? Many youth are caught between answers to these questions and need safe space to find answers. Zebulon Baptist Church Youth is that space!
We try to balance faith, fellowship, and fun as we learn how to love God in Christ and “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8). We hope to empower our youth to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community and beyond. Our ministry is aimed at youth and their families as we walk together through a pivotal portion of their lives in grades 8 through 12. We pray that this connection can create students that are rooted and grounded in faith.
Lauren has been on staff working part-time with youth and their families since 2015. She attended Zebulon Baptist as a youth and is a native of nearby Wendell, where she currently resides with her husband, Jackson, and sons, IV and Briggs. Lauren also completed a Christian Studies certificate from Campbell University.
Lauren enjoys traveling to the mountains or beach (and everything in between), spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, reading, and supporting the East Carolina Pirates and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Sundays
Sunday Morning - 9:00 am - 11:30 am
On Sunday mornings, we participate in the larger church schedule with Sunday School and worship. Sunday School is held in the Blue Room from 9:00-10:00. Worship is to follow in the Sanctuary at 10:15. These moments are pivotal as the youth continue to form community in Bible Study, with each other, and in worship, with the larger church family and those who came before us. We appreciate the opportunity to gather with people of all ages in worship and the chance to sit on the youth row (first pew, organ side)!
Sunday Evening - 5:15 pm - 6:30 pm
Our activities on Sunday nights vary depending on the larger church and school calendars. Generally, we have Youth Handbell Choir practice at 5:15 and Youth Choir practice at 5:45 - an awesome time for our youth to explore their musical gifts and engage in leading worship for ZBC. Also during this time the Youth Choir practices pieces that are sung with other youth choirs at the annual Segue Choir Festival.
Wednesday Night Journeys
Wednesday Nights during the school year (late August to early June) - 7:30 - 8:30
Journeys is a time of Bible study, refreshments, fellowship, and fun that is specifically designed to the unique stage of life in which our youth live. Think of this time as a mid week retreat for our youth from all the businesses of school, friends and family, and extracurricular.We could be discussing theology in modern films, a winter Bible study on a book in the Bible, experiencing a Lenten discussion to prepare for Easter, or having a time of prayer focus by discussing different ways to talk with God. Meet us in the Blue Room for this and so much more!
Additional Activities
Special Activities / Outings - Sometimes, we just need to have fun. We may go ice skating or bowling, see a movie, or just spend time hanging out in the Blue Room with a game night or celebration. Each month our goal is to share a meal together away from ZBC’s campus and have at least one fun activity. Our large group activities are directly aimed at having fun and forming community.
Retreats - The youth group has several opportunities to go on retreat each year with the whole youth group. Retreats can range from a Living Faith Weekend to a fall or winter retreat to the beach or mountains! In all of our events, we strive to use time together to grow relationships with each other and with God.
Sunday Night Live - On select Sunday nights in the summer, the ZBCY meet in homes of the different church members. We meet to enjoy dinner, games, Bible Study, and fellowship.
Summer Camp - The ZBCY has a rich history with Passport Camps that dates back to the 1990s. Each summer the youth look forward to going to Passport Missions or Choices on a college campus in the southeastern part of the United States.
Serving Others - Every three years, youth in grades 10th-12th take a mission trip. This trip is taken in the summer in addition to the week of camp for all of our youth.
