YOUTH

Morning Star sees children and young people as not only the church of the future, but also as the church of today. It is our calling to reach out to and minister to youth of all ages. We see the promise of God in every child’s face.

In addition to the many other ways our congregation seeks to engage children and youth, Morning Star currently has a number of programs designed specifically to give children and youth an opportunity to grow in their relationship with Christ and in their friendships with one another. Friends and neighbors are encouraged and invited to attend every single youth activity at Morning Star. What better way for a young person to share their faith than show their friends why church is such an important part of his or her life?

Little LYNCs
Little LYNCs (Lutheran Youth in North Carolina) is a youth group for children grades 3-5. The Little LYNCs have lots of energy and enjoy putting their enthusiasm to good use – either through helping with the CROP Walk, making cards for more senior members of the congregation, at a Lock-In at church and more. Each year, the Little LYNCs journey to Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory for YouthQuake, a statewide gathering of 3rd-5th Lutheran students. You have to keep a sharp eye out because month brings a new adventure and a new chance for the Little LYNCs to grow a bit more as children of God.

Junior Youth Ministers
Junior Youth Ministers is the youth group that serves students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. These years hold many changes and challenges for our kids and the Junior Youth Ministers provide a safe, supportive, fun place for our children to become teenagers. From retreats and overnighters, service projects and learning experiences, the Junior Youth Ministers are always making the most of their time together. Young people who get involved with the church at this point in their life tend to stay more involved in the church as adults. The Junior Youth Ministers is a wonderful way for young people to realize that the family of God is as active, fun-loving, and interesting as they are!

Confirmation
Confirmation is for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. During these years, young people are given the opportunity to learn enough about their faith and their own personal beliefs so that they are able to take the promises of their Baptism upon themselves. This is when children become young adults in the eyes of the church. We study the foundations of our Lutheran faith and see how our Christian life intersects with our world life. Confirmation is where “the rubber hits the road” and faith becomes something that happens outside of Sunday School. This amazing time of growth culminates with a week of Campfirmation (Confirmation Camp) at Lutheridge Camp in Arden, NC. What a joy to watch our children step out of their own and walk with the Lord!

Senior Youth Ministers
The Senior Youth Ministers is the youth group that reaches out and finds the High School students in our congregation and community. The Senior Youth Ministers are able to take on larger projects and enjoy a vast array of opportunities. Our high school students serve as worship assistants every Sunday at the second service, take weekend retreats as a youth group, or join up with youth groups from all over North Carolina for gatherings at area colleges. Every three years, a group from Morning Star goes to the National Youth Gathering where they join 30,000 other teens from across the country. Talk about life changing! Our Senior Youth Ministers go skiing, camping, horseback riding, bowling and more. Our Senior Youth Ministers also serve the community in powerful ways. This is the ministry that helps young people stay steady in their faith so that when the time comes to leave the house and venture out into the world, they are prepared to stay true to themselves and their Creator.