Exciting Changes for the WSYM

​A NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS HERE
AND EXCITING CHANGES ARE HAPPENING WITHIN THE WSYM!

It is an exciting time for the West Side Church! Not only does the approach of Fall bring an atmosphere of high energy and excitement, but we are also seeing fun and revitalizing changes with many of our youth and children's ministries. Beginning August 31st the West Side Youth Ministry will expand it's grade range to include Grades 6-12. The 5th grade will now be part of West Side's Children's Ministry.

What does this mean for you?

Sundays...

On Sunday Mornings at 9:00AM the NEW WSYM will divide into two classes:

Grades 6-8 will meet in the Cornerstone's Main Room.
Grades 9-12 will meet in the Cornerstone's Theater.

Each group's content will be age appropriate, geared toward our students to provide them with an optimal learning experience that will engage them in powerful conversations about following Jesus, exploring Scripture, developing healthy spiritual habits, and leading a life of service to others. 

Also, every week we'll send out a parent email (via Blog post), informing and empowering parents with details about each lesson and practical questions they can ask their kids throughout the week. No other factor influences the spiritual development of a teenager more than their parents. Since we fully recognize that the a student's primary "Youth Ministry" should be found within the family unit, we strive to inform parents and guardians about what we are studying and ways they can talk about it at home.

The new class structure will begin September 4.

Wednesdays...

Initially the whole WSYM will be together on Wednesday Nights for WSYM Midweek. The Cornerstone will open at 5:30PM for hang time and dinner. Each week we will serve pizza and drinks for $3/person or $10/family of 4+. Beginning at 6:30PM we'll have a time of announcements, a lesson, and then divide into grade/gender specific discussion groups led by spiritually mature adult disciples of Christ. Interested in leading a Discussion Group? Let Jake know HERE.

WSYM Midweek is going to be a great time of learning, fun, and community as we think and talk about what it means to LOVE, SHARE, and DISCIPLE as young people trying to follow Jesus.

We will have a WSYM Midweek Kickoff on August 31!

Small Groups...

As a Youth Ministry we will focus our efforts into the two weekly meetings mentioned above as well as regular events (listed below) while encouraging and helping incorporate families and youth into the West Side Small Group Ministry. This can help improve intergenerational opportunities for our students and help encourage family discipling.

As the WSYM we will strive to be extremely involved in small groups and some of its biggest fans. This will also free up families that are within the WSYM that could be awesome small group leaders! Interested in leading a Small Group? Let us know HERE.

Events...

The WSYM organizes and attends many different retreats, youth conferences, camps, etc. These events are grade and sometimes gender specific. 

Some examples...

• Sr. Impact - a summer event at Lipscomb University. Impact is for students entering the 9th grade thru graduated senior. Therefore, we will take those specific grades. 
• Jumpstart, a youth rally in Neosho, MO, is for a larger grade range so we’ll make it available to the whole Youth Ministry -- grades 6-12. Want to go to Jumpstart? Register NOW! It's coming up in only a few weeks! Register HERE.
• Gulf Coast Getaway is a campus ministry event to which we take our high school Juniors and Seniors.dsdewdfeswsdxsze
• Each year we plan to have a WSYM Retreat for grades 6-12.

Help us connect with you!

Text Updates...

Students send @wsymstu to 81010
Parents send @wsympar to 81010

Parent Update...

The Parent Update is a monthly newsletter full of reminders and articles for parents. To sign up, submit your email below...

Facebook Group...

CLICK HERE to join the WSYM Facebook Group.

Student Directory...

A sustainable, healthy youth ministry starts with a directory of its students. This resource will help us better connect with and serve our students and their families. If you are a student in the 6th-12th grade (or their parent), please fill out the form below...

We look forward to serving your family!

Blessings, 
Jake Greer

If you have any questions, please let me know at jake@westsidear.org.