Our core values:

• Every student should be able to feed themselves spiritually.
• They should understand the importance of worship (where God promises to be), the embrace of God's love through Scripture, and the accountability of the promises made at baptism and confirmation.
• Every student should develop enough spiritual confidence to enable them to stand for their convictions in the face of opposition.
• Every student should be committed to and involved in the work of God in the world. They should demonstrate this in life, being an active part of the community beyond the walls of Hope Lutheran Church.
• Every student should have God honoring relationships with their families and friends, and one another.

These are ideal values we pray for our youth. The task of Youth Ministry at Hope is not to create these but to come alongside families to support, equip and enable them as they strive to pass on these values to their children. We work to do this through Bible studies for youth, fellowship and servant opportunities for individuals, groups and families, interactive support groups and studies for parents and caring relationships with a variety of volunteers who extend the unconditional love of Christ to our young people.

Youth Mission Trip 2009:

In June of 2009 our Senior High youth had the opportunity to serve in a Team Effort group providing hurricane Ike relief to affected homes and churches in Galveston County. As part of this group, they have done everything from mowing lawns to building fences to painting and interior redesign for churches and homeowners that need help rebuilding after Ike.

visit our trip blog at: http://hopeyouthmission09.blogspot.com/

iYouth (grades 6-8)

We're plugged in with this high energy program for junior high! Our Wednesday night program begins with dinner and a download of your week followed by games and student-led small group discussions. iYouth provides an opportunity for students to interact during the week through a password protected website with games, chat space and the option to vote on the games for the coming week. Youth are asked to bring $3 for dinner on Wednesdays.

iYouth also meets every other month for a weekend activity that varies from play to service. Friends are always welcome! Check the bulletin, church newsletter or website or join our e-mail list to get the latest news and opportunities. Come join us!

For more information, contact our Director of Youth Ministry, Robin Groeper, 281-482-7843 ext 17

Confirmation

Confirmation: Our Baptism Covenant in Action. The purpose of our program is to provide instruction and experiences for our children to enable them to take on the responsibility of their faith development, as begun in the promises made at their baptisms. We want our children to grow in an understanding of their relationship with Christ, and to begin to see their place in the body of Christ, the Church. At the end of their confirmation journey, students will be able to make a public personal confession of their faith and take personal ownership in declaring, through the power of the Holy Spirit, their trust and allegiance to Jesus Christ. Confirmation classes meet during the Sunday School hour (9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.) every Sunday during the school year. Confirmation Sunday is celebrated in conjunction with Pentecost Sunday every year. Our program is an intensive 3-year program that typically begins in 6th grade. Level 1 Confirmation is a more thorough study of the Old Testament. Level 2 Confirmation is a more thorough study of the New Testament and Level 3 is a study of the Catechism and Lutheran Confessions. For more information about our Confirmation program, please feel free to contact Pastor Jon.

Fellowship and Fun events take place on a monthly basis. Typical events include service projects, mystery events, scavenger hunt, RevolveTour, Spring Retreat, District and National Gatherings.

Bible Study is a primary gathering point on Sunday mornings in the youth room-- come early (around 9:30) for random surprise breakfast options and time to catch up and get to know each other. Our study "officially" begins at 9:45 and concludes at 10:45.

BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) meets weekly on Thursday nights (except the first Thursday of the month) to check in on everyone's week, dig into the Word and take it back out with us to the world. We meet in the youth room from 7:15-8:30/

Hope Village-- It's a great day!! The first Thursday of every month is committed to playing and sharing with the residents of Hope Village. This facility is home to over 60 mentally retarded young and young at heart friends. Our time there may be spent playing BINGO or creating crafts or simply getting to know one another. It can be intimidating your first time, but we'll be there with you and you'll leave blessed! Meet at church at 6:00 or at Hope Village at 6:30, we play until 7:30.

Mission Trips: We strive to visit new places and take on new challenges each summer with the exception of National Youth Gathering years (every three years). We also take on several local opportunities as they arise or move the group to do so.

National Youth Gathering 2010: this tri-annual event is scheduled to take place in New Orleans in the summer of 2010. Over 30,000 Lutheran teens from across the country and around the world gather to praise, serve, learn, laugh and grow. Will you be there?

For more information on our youth / student activities, please contact our Director of Youth Ministry, Robin Groeper.