Students
Student Ministry
Our vision is to empower and inspire young people to develop a deep, authentic connection with God through practical, life-changing experiences. We build this connection through four foundational pillars:
- Celebrate: We aim to cultivate a worshipful heart in our youth by celebrating God’s presence in their lives. Through dynamic worship, creative expression, and joyful gatherings, we encourage them to experience the fullness of God’s love and grace.
- Give: Serving God and the community is at the heart of our ministry. We guide our youth to live out their faith by giving their time, talents, and resources to those in need, embodying Christ’s love in practical and impactful ways.
- Grow: Spiritual growth is essential for a deepening relationship with God. We provide opportunities for our youth to engage in deeper spiritual practices, such as prayer, Bible study, and personal reflection, equipping them to grow in their faith and understanding of God’s Word.
- Connect: Building meaningful relationships is key to emotional and social development. We create a supportive community where young people can connect, share their experiences, and develop friendships rooted in Christ’s love.
Through these four pillars, we strive to nurture a generation of young believers who are passionately connected to God and committed to living out their faith in every aspect of their lives.
Student Ministry Team Lead – Tracy Milsap
Student Ministry Coordinator – Rhiannon Sampson
St. James Student programming presents opportunities for students to grow in their faith alongside their friends and peers while encountering God in a real and relevant way.
Celebrate ~ Romans 12:1
We teach expressions of honor, love & devotion to God where young people share God’s worth.
Give ~ Matthew 25:40
We nurture a habit of young people giving of their time & talent.
Grow ~ Hebrews 6:1
We teach the love & power of Jesus Christ & the Gospel message. This involves students learning the Gospel and gaining a better understanding of how Christ relates to us.
Connect ~ Ephesians 2:19
We are intentional about creating a welcoming environment that encourages young people to connect with one another. This allows the ministry to grow as a community.
Sundays
1st Sunday – Flash Mob Sunday (Serve)
2nd-4th Sunday – Deep Drive Sunday (Grow)
- 5th–7th – Grade Level Up (Youth Room, in-person from 9:00a-10:15a) – scripture learning, bible story/history, Methodist core beliefs via games/challenges, weekly sermon viewing, recap & weekly response
- 8th-12th – Grade Level Up (Sanctuary, in-person from 9:00a-10:15a)
5th Sunday – Mission Sunday (Give)
Quest
Weekly virtual engagement facilitates a deeper personal application of the Word through facilitated lessons and sharing for middle and high school students.
Girl Scouts
The mission of Girl Scouts is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girls in grades K-12 achieve this by participating in activities to develop life skills and actively applying what they learn through hands-on community service and leadership opportunities. Currently, we offer one multi-level troop to engage girls. We generally meet at the church; special events may be held off site. Contact Carmellya Anderson at students@sjumckc.org.
Scholarship Opportunities
We want to celebrate the accomplishments of all our St James High School seniors. Are you a High School Senior & active member of St. James Church? Do you know of St. James high schoolers that we should contact about our scholarship opportunities? Please email your name and telephone number, or the name and telephone number of a high schooler you know, to scholarship@sjumckc.org.
Contact Tracy Milsap at students@sjumckc.org or 816-802-8831.