• Bible Studies
• Children
• East Ohio UMC Camps
• Family
• Hospitality
• Leadership / ”Directions”
• Library
• Men
• Missions
• Newcomers Classes
• Pastoral Care
• Prayer
• Royal Family Kids’ Camp
• Support Groups
• Women
• Young at Heart
• Youth

See our new youth site at www.theoasisatnumc.org

Caring for Teenagers...

The largest mission field today is America’s youth. Today’s youth have a lot to say. They have a need to belong and a hunger for something deeper than what the world has to offer. Teenagers matter to God and He has a plan and purpose for their lives. When we gather together for our youth group meetings, known as Connections, we do it to connect with God & To connect with each other.

The center of what we are about is God.

George Barna said, “If children are not reached with the gospel by the age 13, the chances of their accepting the gospel after that point are greatly reduced.” A popular Jewish psychologist noted that next to an infant’s first year of development the middle school years are the most traumatic in one’s life. We recognize and celebrate the craziness of young adolescence. We value fun, transition, discovery, experience and high energy in the connection between faith and everyday life. Interested? Come and experience!

Our big group times are: Mid Hi "Wild Kingdom" on Sundays from 5:00 to 6:15 pm; Sr. Hi "Connections" on Sundays from 7:00 to 8:15 pm. Small groups meet on Thursday evenings.

Confirmation

Increasing numbers of young people are filling up conformation and catechism classes in American churches. Why? In part, due to the Biblical illiteracy that pervades our country. The greater reason is that God is moving upon the youth of our country, causing them to hunger for the Bread of Life—The Bible—where they can eat and truly be filled. Our confirmation classes run for 20 weeks and begin in the Fall. Anyone who is in 7th grade or higher is eligible to attend. Some of the key questions we seek to answer are:

• What is Christianity?
• Who is Jesus?
• What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?
• What’s the deal with the Trinity?
• The Church—Why Bother?
• What does it mean to be a member of a church?
• Is the Bible relevant for me today?
• Why are we here?
• Does our life have any purpose?

Special Events

Special events are a must for our Youth Group. Christians can have fun while growing spiritually. Here's how we do it:

1. Service Projects. We aim to be the “hands” and “feet” of Jesus in our community. We serve at the Gennesaret Kitchen; we do fund raisers for charities and to help support our own ministry; we clean houses and yards for those who can use a little extra help; and we help out with the Challenger League Baseball Tournament.
2. Wild Stuff.
   • 30 hours without food - to better understand what many people experience daily.
   • Dessert Storm - an all-out war with ice cream as our weapon.
   • Goofy Olympics (a must see to believe).
   • White-water rafting - we guarantee you’ll get wet and occasionally flipped out of the raft.
   • Grilling out - any chance we get.
   
3. Short-term Missions. Looking for a way to see other parts of the world? Our short-term missions projects for Summer 2007 include REACH Work Camp in Niagara Falls, NY, and a trip to Haiti.

For more information, please contact Brett Bartels.

If you would like any further information, please contact the church office at (330) 929-0015 or contact us here.