Teen Ministries at Bethel covers students in 7th through 12th grades. Working with students can be particularly rewarding, because it gives people the opportunity to see students take steps and grow in their faith as they move toward adulthood.

We take the safety of students very seriously, which is why anyone who serves them must fill out an application, submit to a background check, and be interviewed by our child protection staff. All those who serve in Student Ministries must also have made a profession of faith in Jesus.

There are a few separate ministries for students at Bethel, described below. You may also visit the Teen Ministries page to read more about what these programs are like.

Grapple

Grapple is for 7th and 8th grade students and meets on Wednesday nights during the school year at Bethel. This program has people serving in the role of Coordinator and as Small Group Leaders.

The Coordinator oversees the Grapple program, working closely with Bethel’s Associate Pastor. The Coordinator does behind-the-scenes work such as set up and preparation, and leads the game and large group portions of the evening. He or she also fills in as a Small Group Leader when necessary. This is a role that could be shared by two people. The Coordinator must be an active member of Bethel.

Small Group Leaders accompany their assigned students for the entire evening, participating with them during the large group activities, then leading their small group during the breakout time. Small Group Leaders are assigned anywhere from three to seven students, and they are partnered with these students for the whole Grapple year.

Fusion Network (Senior High Small Groups)

Fusion Network is an innovative program for senior high students which revolves primarily around small groups. These groups come together at times and places that fit their students’ and leaders’ schedules and focus on questions and topics of interest to the students.

Small Group Leaders are the lifeblood of this program. They facilitate and lead groups using curriculum on loan from Bethel, or by incorporating their own materials. The primary responsibility of Small Group Leaders for Fusion Network is to foster a safe, caring atmosphere for students so that they are willing to share at a deep level and build meaningful relationships with one another.

Small Group Leaders should either have existing relationships with students (as a parent, teacher or coach) or be in a position where they can foster relationships with them.

33 AD

33 AD is the Sunday morning group for 7th-12th grades during the Sunday School Hour (9:30-10:30 a.m.). Instruction is generally focused applying the basics of the Christian faith to our lives.

Adults can serve these students by teaching in the group—putting together the lesson for the morning and leading the discussion—in order to help students understand a particular Biblical truth or concept. This is not difficult; typically, the group has a team of teachers to help lead it, as well as access to curriculum materials that often include video elements and discussion questions.

Another way adults can serve the students in 33 AD is to simply be present in the group. Being an active part of the class—participating in discussion, getting to know the students—is a way to increase the understanding and raise the level of discussion in the group.

Sisterhood

Sisterhood is a mentoring and discipleship program that teams adult women from Bethel with high school and college-age girls from Bethel. The goal of Sisterhood is to help students grow in their relationships with Christ as they prepare to start careers, marry and have children of their own.

Women serve in Sisterhood by attending group functions and by partnering with students for one-on-one discipleship and mentoring.

If you are interested in helping with any of these ministries, contact the church office.