Youth Ministries

FUMC Benton Youth ministries serves students in grades 5th-12th in Saline County and beyond. Our Goal is to help students develop and grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ and share God's love with the world.

What We Believe

Grace

We believe that all people are loved and valued by God and should feel supported, valued, and loved in our community.

Inclusivity

We are a space where all people, no matter what, are welcomed.

Faith

We seek to be continually growing in our faith and as a follower of Jesus.

Experiences

We value the relationship building, faith building, and new experiences that Youth Trips and Events can bring.

Positive Voices

We believe our voices can be one of the most powerful ways to share the Love of Christ and will focus on building others up, sharing our stories, and communicating with one another without negativity and anger.

Fellowship

We have fun with our friends while building respectful relationships with ourselves, our peers, our adults, and Christ.

Our Youth Ministries

The BRidge

The Bridge Ministry challenges our 5th through 7th graders to develop a personal relationship with Jesus and one another through meaningful interactions in Discipleship Groups, Sunday school, events and trips

Made to Worship

Made to Worship (MTW) Ministry gives students in 8th-12th grade opportunities to experience faith in different ways. Our goal is to create a safe place for students to be authentically who they are, to explore and develop a faith that is on fire for God and to have the tools to live their faith out once they graduate.

Our Weekly Schedule

Discipleship Groups

Discipleship Groups are group oriented opportunities for you to grow deeper in your faith, focusing on what it means to live a Jesus Centered life, and what it looks like to live out your faith as a committed Christian. This year, we will be deep diving into books of the Bible and seeing how they apply to our lives today. Come recharge with your friends and talk about life!
  • Wednesday Night from 6-7 PM in the Youth Wing
    • The Bridge in the Bridge Room
    • 8th-9th grade in the Junior High Room
    • 10th-12th grade in the Youth Room

Confirmation

Youth in 7th grade and above will develop an understanding of the Christian faith and who we are as United Methodists. Through discussion groups, and hands on experiences, our Confirmands will have many opportunities to see faith lived out in others and to put their faith into action. Through Confirmation, our Confirmands will learn the Story of God’s Love and see how it plays out in their lives. At the end of their journey, our Confirmands will share their stories and share the Light and Love of Christ with the world.

Confirmation meets on Wednesday Nights in the Confirmation Room in the Youth Wing from 6:00 - 7:00 PM

The Bridge Remix

Sunday Mornings are for you and the Bible! You will get to learn about different lessons and stories from the Bible and engage with them through conversations, activities, and games. This year, we will be diving deep in the Story of God. Come share your knowledge and grow with one another in your faith!
  • Sunday Mornings from 10:00-10:45 AM in the Youth Wing
    • 5th-7th Grade in the Confirmation Room
    • 8th-12th Grade in the Youth Room

The Bridge Remix

The week starts with Remix for our 5th-7th grade students! You will eat, laugh, play, hear about some interesting topics and even sing a little. You will build relationships with one another through games and discussion groups! Before you know it, you will make life-long friends and create lasting memories!
  • Sunday Afternoons from 5:00-6:30 PM
    • Games, Devotional, Worship,  in CLC and Youth Wing
    • Dinner 6 PM in Fellowship Hall is optional

Sunday Night Live (SNL)

The week starts with Sunday Night Live for our 8th-12th grade students! You will eat, laugh, play, hear about some interesting topics and even sing a little. You will build relationships with one another through games and small groups! Before you know it, you will make life-long friends and create lasting memories!
  • Sunday Evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM
  • Dinner 6 PM in Fellowship Hall
  • Games, Devotional, Worship, Small Groups 6:30-8:00 PM in CLC and Youth Wing

Other Ministry Programming

Made to worship Praise team

Wherever you reside along in your musical journey, we want to help you use your gifts to become amazing leaders. Our worship team creates a community of worship and is always looking at innovative ways to lead our students in worship. All students are welcome to come and participate.

Youth Worship Team practices the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 PM in the Christian Life Center or Youth Wing

Third Thursday Youth and Family Pickleball

Join Us every Third Thursday in the CLC to play pickleball! We have three courts set up for people of all talents to come and play. Bring a Paddle, some water, and get ready for a night of fun!
  • Third Thursdays from 6-7:30 PM

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Meet Michelle Anderson

Director of  Youth Ministries

Michelle has been serving in youth ministry in Arkansas for 7 years. She believes that the youth are the present and future church. She loves to support the youth inside the walls of the church and in the community, attending their games, concerts, and other activities. Michelle is a 4th generation Razorback, graduating from the University of Arkansas in 2015 with a Degree in English with an emphasis in Education, with minors in History, Music, and Theatre. In her free time, Michelle likes to read, cheer on the Razorbacks, spending time with her Boston Terrier, Bruno, watching Marvel and Disney Movies, as well as binge-watch Friends and Gilmore Girls.