Youth
The youth ministry at River Road Church, Baptist is an open community in which middle and high schoolers can build meaningful relationships, engage in thought provoking worship and Bible study, learn tools for personal spiritual formation, and cultivate a lifestyle of service and social awareness through missions. Some of the youth activities are Sunday school, choir, Sunday night youth group, retreats, mission projects, and church camps.
Sunday School
On Sunday mornings, the students gather in the youth area for fellowship at 9:45 a.m. followed by Sunday school from 10:00-10:45 a.m. During this time, middle schoolers and high schoolers are together for bible study. This is a time for youth to interact with their peers through discussion and learning.
Sunday Evening Activities
Sunday Evening Schedule
5:00-5:45 p.m.: Youth Choir
5:45-6:15 p.m.: Snack Supper
6:15-7:30 p.m.: Youth Group
Choir
Youth are able to expand their relationship with Christ through music. The Youth Choir sings in Sunday worship approximately once every month with practices occurring weekly on Sundays. This choir is led by our Minister of Music, Dr. Bob Gallagher.
Snack Supper
Following choir, the youth gather in the Fellowship Hall to eat a dinner prepared by youth parents. To help pay for the cost of dinner, each youth is asked to bring $3.
Youth Group
During this time, the youth minister leads Bible studies, discussions, and fellowship activities for the students. From small group interaction to large group discussions, the youth gain vital fellowship opportunities during this time.
Missions
Every summer, the youth travel to a community to spend a week working on whatever projects they need help with. Over the years, they have traveled as far as Maine but have also stayed close to home doing work in the church and surrounding Richmond community. During the school year, youth also assist in local missions like CARITAS, and Rise Against Hunger, among other activities.
Retreats
In the fall and spring, the youth go on weekend-long retreats. During these retreats, the youth participate in activities such as games, small group discussions, large group devotions, and worship. The retreats are meant for students to have a chance to breathe and rest from all of their outside pressures and to have a closer relationship with God.
Church Camps
Since its inception in 1992, our youth have been taking part in PASSPORT camps which take place every summer in towns up and down the East Coast. At PASSPORT, youth explore their faith with other campers from around the United States through bible study, group activities, and missions. In our program, many youth love camp for its ability to draw them closer to God and renew their spiritual lives.
Inquirers’ Class
Interested in learning more about the basics of the Christian faith and what it means to be a member of the Church? Annually we offer an Inquirers’ class for students who are considering baptism or who have already been baptized, but would like a “refresher course” in the foundations of their faith journey. The class includes small group discussions about the life of Christ, faith, church membership, baptism, communion, and spiritual growth designed to provide students further opportunity to deepen their relationship with Christ and the church universal.
Youth Sunday
Every spring, the youth design and lead one Sunday of worship. Each youth has a different job, from preaching to reading scripture to being a deacon. The youth choir also leads the congregation in music, and some youth individually perform if they play an instrument.
Thoughtful Faith Community
(TFC-Youth)
Following dinner on Wednesdays, from 6:45-7:30, the youth room is available for studying, or just fellowshipping with one another. This is time for students to have a mid-week stress break and laugh with one another.
Youth Leadership Opportunities
Our youth serve as acolytes in our regular Sunday worship services, providing leadership to our services through the lighting and extinguishing of altar candles, participation in communion, and leading the processionals and recessionals.
Our youth also have opportunities to provide leadership working with children – WorshipCare, Vacation Bible School, and Trunk or Treat.