We are a youth group dedicated to making disciples of all people, seeking to follow the two great commandments to Love God and Love others. Our goal is to promote Spiritual Discipleship, Unity within the body of believers, and an open and accepting place for teenagers to learn and grow in their faith.

You will find a balance of fun and serious activities. We offer programs specifically for youth on both Sunday Evenings and Wednesday Nights. Fun activities include events such as Laser Quest, bowling, sporting events, youth rallies, lock-ins, camping, mission trips and more. During the summer we have many all day trips, approximately every two weeks. During the school year we try to do a fun activity once a month. We also try to have one service activity every month year round.

The lessons on Sunday nights reflect the results of a calendar put together by the YEC and the youth pastor. Sunday evening meetings are based on topics like (family relationships, discipleship, why church is important). The goal of Sunday nights is to focus on the needs and wants of youth group members, to help them grow both mentally and spiritually.

Wednesday Bible Studies are more directly related with the reading and understanding of scripture. Here we take a book of the Bible and do an in depth study into how that book applies to our daily lives.

Youth are actively involved in the design of the youth programs. The Youth Executive Committee (YEC) is responsible for assisting the adult leaders in putting together the calendar, leading youth studies, and planning special activities. This type of leadership shows youth are vital to our church. We believe that youth are not just the church of tomorrow, but that they are the church of today.

Our primary goal is to help our youth take ownership of their faith. We share our different views and look to scripture for insight into God’s will and message for us. We encourage teens to seek in understanding the scriptures for themselves. We want them to be able to know the scriptures and to know why they believe what they believe. Adult sponsors attend our meetings and offer support and give input to the group.

Guests and visitors are encouraged to come and participate in all of our activities and Bible studies. Lesson plans are available upon request.

Joshua Cole is a vibrant, young Youth Pastor who is passionate about youth. He has a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry with a minor in Psychology from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. He is pursuing a Masters of Christian Education at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He and his wife Ashley have been at Hillside Christian Church since August of 2008.

My goal as youth pastor is to promote Christ in all things. I will accomplish this through three things:

1. Relationships: It is my goal to first have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, so that I may live as an imitator of Him who loved all of us and showed us grace. It is also my goal to develop and maintain a relationship with all youth, parents, and other members of the Church which promotes an open dialogue that points towards Christ.
   
   
2. Teaching: It is my goal to provide discipleship opportunities for youth and all who are effected by youth, which is done by welcoming all into fellowship and inviting them to be apart of this story. These opportunities include oversight of Sunday School, Sunday Night Youth, Wednesday Night Youth, and all other events designed specifically for youth. This also includes providing resources to those who give care to these youth so that they may also work in training up these youth in to examples of godliness.
   
   
3. Encouragement: It is my goal to provide encouragement to these teens through unconditional love which Christ himself displayed. This includes positive affirmation in areas of accomplishment and providing an environment for acceptance and respect for all teens.

Email Josh Cole, Youth Pastor