Hey Victory Parents! By now, you may have heard about the big changes in our youth ministry at our Norcross campus. We are also believing for big changes in the hearts and lives of your kids too!
We’d love to share more about the reasoning and vision that’s driving these moves. We invite you to watch the following videos and read through the additional information on this page.
Reach out to your youth ministry leader if you would like to learn more.
Victory Youth Welcomes Grades 7 & 8
More Margin Means More Ministry!
Will My Middle Schooler Be Safe?
Overcoming Convenience
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the change? What is happening?
We are making an important shift for Victory Youth!
Beginning October 9, 2022, our Youth services at our Norcross campus will be held on Sunday evenings at 5:00PM. This move will mean that middle school and high school services will meet together. Through this move, we hope to build greater community and grow in discipleship across age groups
I missed the August 14 meeting. What are my options to get more information?
There will be an additional Youth Parent Meeting on September 11, 2022, at 3:00PM at the Norcross campus Please save this date. We will follow up with an email closer to the time of the meeting.
What is the reason for the change? What isn’t working now?
Students need community, consistency, and discipleship now more than ever before.
The church drop-out rate among 18–29-year-olds is now at 64%. Only 10% of 18-29-year-olds with a Christian background consider themselves resilient disciples. [Barna Group] Those who do have this in common: they found belonging as a part of a church and developed their faith early in life. This means we have to help our kids build relationships and form bonds that seal a greater sense of belonging in the church and allow them to learn and practice discipleship in a more intentional way.
Today, when our kids go into service, they are met by different leaders, volunteers, and fellow students. Oftentimes, even if they attend the same service time each Sunday, they go in not really knowing anyone. That inhibits deep learning and connection with others.
We as adults don’t want to be a part of a small group that changes leadership and community all of the time—and we don’t want that for our kids either.
With one service, the students will have the same leader and group every week. And they will be able to participate more consistently in leadership and discipleship programs.
What is the vision for Youth going forward?
Our hope is that the students of Victory will feel belonging and be empowered to be the example, that they will grow in relationship with each other, and develop as disciples of Christ as in 1 Timothy 4:12. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Ultimately, we want to build a model of ministering, teaching, and serving our youth and their families in a way that is consistent from person-to-person, and Sunday to Sunday. With greater consistency, we have more opportunities to help our youth grow in maturity, learn leadership, and practice discipleship through:
- Growth Track – an intentional program to guide biblical learning and spiritual maturity
- Small Groups – where students will build relationship and support each other
- Apprenticeships – where small group leaders work with individuals in their own groups to prepare them for small group leadership
- Serving Opportunities – with the shift to Sunday evenings, we open up a host of opportunities for youth to volunteer and serve in other areas of the church
Our dream is to see kids thriving in spiritual maturity, to have them serving and connecting with others, and to see them leading others to Christ. We are confident that we can make this transition as a church family and be better positioned to grow leaders and create disciples throughout the entire church body.
How will this benefit my family?
The biggest benefits are consistency, community, and discipleship. Today, when our kids go into service, they are met by different leaders, volunteers, and fellow students. Oftentimes, even if they attend the same service time each Sunday, they go in not really knowing anyone. That inhibits deep learning and connection with others.
With one service, we expect students to get to know each other and their leaders. They will have the opportunity to have greater connection and be known in a biblical community. Through small groups, they will build relationship and be able to practice discipleship with each other.
Another benefit for families is that you will now have the opportunity to attend church services together. This is such an important transition for kids as they mature and gradually become a bigger part of the world apart from their parents.
Our youth will also have the opportunity to serve and volunteer in areas they can’t today. This is important for them to experience at this age, and is a growing, enriching experience on its own. We have many volunteer opportunities for students to identify passions, learn skills, and cultivate gifts while they are serving their church community.
My family drives a long way to attend services on Sunday mornings. Will there be an online Youth service?
Yes, absolutely! However, we believe that kids will benefit most from relationships, teaching and worship in person, so we hope you will decide to join us on campus.
What do you recommend families do in between regular Sunday services and evening youth services?
We have café and family lounge areas where you are welcome to relax in between services as well as while your kid(s) are in their own service. There are also serving opportunities available, and some of these may be done during the in-between time. If you are interested in exploring options, please visit our serve page or talk with your ministry leader to see where you may be of service.
What if I have more questions? / How can I give feedback?
Please know that we have put focused time and careful thought into the vision for Victory Youth. We have prayed over the decisions and the changes. We have sought advice from youth advisors, parents, youth and youth volunteers. While no change of this magnitude is easy, we have peace over the direction, and we believe that these are the right changes for youth and families.
If you’d like to share your feedback, or if you have a question that isn’t addressed here, please reach out to your youth ministry leader.