Youth
St Paul’s offers a dynamic range of activities for young people aged 11-19 through its two youth groups, Impact (for those in school years 7-9) and Encounter (year 10 and above). Through a healthy range of large groups, small groups and one-to-ones, we seek to enable young people to explore faith, discover faith, grow in faith and lead others to faith.
Impact
Impact is for young people in school years 7-9 (11-14 year olds). Made up of a healthy mix of boys and girls, Impact offers a range of wild and wacky activities, both on Sundays and midweek, all with the aim of having FUN, FAITH and FRIENDSHIP as we seek to follow Jesus together.
On Sunday mornings, Impact starts in church and then moves over to the Youth Hall. The programme consists of a wide range of activities, ranging from discussion and Bible study to prayer breakfasts. These sessions focus on a different theme every term. Central to all we do is our aim to give members the opportunity to explore faith for themselves. We encourage members to ask questions, check God out for themselves, and get into a regular pattern of prayer and Bible study. We also seek to support each other by offering regular opportunities to pray together.
Our fortnighly discipleship club, DeeperIMPACT meets on a Friday night in the Youth Hall from 5-7pm, including tea. A fun mix of games (twister, pool, connect4, PS2, etc), sport (uni-hoc, basketball, football, etc), and challenges (competitions, tournaments, etc), DI also includes some hard-hitting teaching on what it is to be a disciple today. All welcome! Please contact us for specific dates, and details of "DI Featuring..." events which include special elements such as dance workshops and music nights.
We also hold our annual residential in June on the south coast, and have been known to enjoy the occasional widegame!
Encounter
Encounter is a dynamic community of young people in school year 10 and above (aged 14 and over). Encounter aims to make real, independent, thinking Christians through its wide variety of activities and involvement in the church and wider community. Through a wide range of activities, initiatives, and large and small groups, Encounter seeks to be a safe place to explore faith, discover faith, grow in faith and lead others to faith.
A small discipleship group meets on Sunday mornings, gathering in church and then heading over to the Encounter Lounge in the Youth Hall for discussion and debate on the term's theme.
Our main meeting is after the 6:30 service (which many of our members attend), meeting in the Church Centre from 8-9:30pm. These meetings consist of worship, teaching, discussion groups, and a response time. Leaders are always on hand for a chat or pray.
We also have our very own coffee bar, the Encounter Lounge, where we hold a series of themed nights throughout the term.
In addition to these meetings, we offer a programme of short-courses, small groups, opportunities to serve the local community (including the annual July Project week of social action), widegames, residentials, opportunities to meet with leaders one to one, and our very own mentoring programme - TaG.
About Us
Almost a quarter of our Sunday evening congregation is made of young people and young people assist in many of the church’s activities.
St Paul’s youth work seeks to be primarily relational in its approach, putting a strong emphasis on knowing, supporting and growing young people. This is best expressed in our specialism in working one to one with young people and the growth both locally and nationally of our TaG (Training and Growth) Mentoring Programme.*
The Youth Work Department at St Paul's is staffed by the Senior Youth Worker, p/t Youth Support Worker, and p/t Youth Worker, who are, in turn, assisted by 12 volunteers and a substantial number of congregational mentors.
For further details, pick up our brochures or term cards, containing current information or contact the Youth Department through our Church Office.
All the youth work operates to the standards and values of St Paul’s Child Protection Policy.
You can keep up to date with happenings in the Youth Department by reading our youthblog.
* The TaG Programme is now available for other churches/organisations to purchase. Please email jon.langford@stpaulssalisbury.org for more details.