• Events
• News
• Contact

IGNITE (High School)

IGNITE is Good Shepherd's high school ministry and includes our Faith Walk Journey that leads to confirmation. But that's just the beginning...

Summer IGNITE

Each Wednesday night during the summer High School students will gather in the Youth Room to have fun with friends and read and discuss 1st & 2nd Peter.  Join us starting June 19, and each Wednesday night, from 7:30-9:00pm.

ReNEW Retreat

Imagine a time to let go of your busy schedule, get away from the chaos of daily life and a time to encounter God's unfailing love.  The ReNEW Retreat is a time for you to renew your spirit.  Join us for the overnight on Friday,June 21 or just the day on June 22 at Morton Arboretum.  Download your registration form now.  Be sure to register by June 19.

Honoring Graduates

Good Shepherd loves to share our graduates excitement about their next step plans.  All high school and college graduates are encouraged to submit a digital photo along with comment about your next step plans to Sue Halford at halford [at] goodshepherd-naperville [dot] org by May 24th.  All photo's will then be shared with the congregation the weekend of June 1-2. 

Intentional Faith

Are you a recent high school graduate?  Join us on Tuesday, July 16th from 11am-2pm in the Youth Room, for ideas on how you can make your faith an intentional part of your life while away at college.  A light lunch will be provided, so please let us know if you plan on attending.  All college bound students are invited.  

Sunday Night Ministry

Our Sunday Night Ministry will resume on September 8th!

Anyone in high school is welcome to attend IGNITE. Members from other churches or those who don't have a church find this an inviting ministry opportunity. Invite a friend.

IGNITE meets during the school year from 6:30-8:15 p.m. on Sunday evening. Students arrive at 6:30, (enter Door C) for student led worship, Bible message, followed by time spent connecting and growing in small groups.

This ministry partners with parents for the spiritual growth of students. While students are at IGNITE, parents join together for fellowship, support and information that promotes raising healthy, successful adolescents.

Sunday Nights 6:30-8:15 p.m.

Our new series, Soul Detox has started.  Students in 9th - 12th grade enter the building using the front Door C and sign in at the computers. Parents, if you have not registered your student come a few minutes early so we can get all your forms signed.

Join us on Sunday nights during the school year from 6:30—8:15 p.m. to hang out with friends, play games and chat. Together we will take a look at relevant issues and see how God can be a part of our daily lives.  

Spiritual Gifts - this semester we will be exploring everyones Spiritual Gifts.  God has created each of us uniquely for his Kingdom.  All of us are wired with specific talents and gifts and we may not even know it!  This past Sunday, during small group time, we took a "Spiritual Gifts Inventory" to learn how God made us! If you missed it, please take a moment and complete this free, on-line test.  It only takes a few minutes.   Click here now!

Parents are also encouraged to take the adult version of the "Spiritual Gifts Inventory" along with their students.  Click here now, for the adult version of the quick test.

FaithWalk Journey

Affirmation of Baptism/Confirmation takes place each April as students affirm their baptismal vows during a special service that is followed by a reception in the Activity Center. Ninth grade students are encouraged to participate in the steps leading up to Affirmation, but any high school student that has been baptised, and not yet confirmed, is welcome to join FaithWalk Journey. 

Parents & Students will meet from 5-6:15pm on the following dates:

• September 23
• October 28
• DELTA Retreat - November 16-17 (Students only)
• January 27 - CANCELED
• February 24 - How Do I Experience My Faith?
• March 17 - How Am I a Part of God's Story?
• April 7 - NEW DATE! - Share Faith Expressions
• April 13 - 2:00 Affirmation of Faith/Confirmation

Students will be served dinner and should plan to join IGNITE from 6:30-8:15pm on the above dates.

DELTA Retreat is an integral part of a student's FaithWalk Journey and will take place November 16-17. This overnight retreat is put on by upper-classmen. Students should plan on arriving at church 6pm, enter Door D, on Friday, November 16.  We will conclude on Saturday by 5pm.

Afiirmation of Faith/Confirmation service will take place at 2:00pm on Saturday, April 13, 2013.

Mission Trip/Workcamp

Workcamp - Each year students take time out of their busy schedules to help others though local and out-of-state projects such as summer workcamp. For Workcamp 2013 we will be going to Troy, MO on Juy21-July 27, 2013.

Registration is now open. Download your form here, return it with your $100 deposit.

Guatemala 2013 - Again in the summer, Student Ministries will be taking 30 young adults and mature high school students to Zacapa, Guatemala.  We will depart on Friday, July 5 and return on Friday 12, 2013.  

Dodgin'4Dough

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 5th annual Dodgin'4Dough Dodgeball Tournament on January 4-5, 2012.  We had 75 teams play in our tournament, with our high school teams broken out by All-girl & Co-ed. Congratulations to our winners!  We hope to see you again next year.

Winter Get-Away

Each year we offer an opportunity for students to have a fun time in the snow with friends. The group will head to Covenant Harbor in Lake Geneva for a weekend of fun, bonding with peers and an opportunity to come to know and love God more on February 15-18, 2013.  Registration is now open.  Download your form here, and return it to church along with your $50 deposit to secure your spot.  Total cost is $190 if a deposit is made by January 13, 2013.  After that date, the cost is $210.  Final payment and all forms are due by January 27, 2013.

LIFE Groups

A LIFE Group of high school student leaders meets each Monday at church from 7-8:30pm in the Youth Room. Let us know if you are interested, or just join in the group. Another LIFE Group meets on Thursday evenings, starting at 7:00pm.

LIFE Groups discuss issues that relate to their daily lives—find a group that works for you. leach [at] goodshepherd-naperville [dot] org (Contact Tara Beth Leach) to help you find a group that works for you.

Soul Detox - Adult Book Study

Parents, come grow in your faith at the same time your students are engaged in FUEL or IGNITE. Craig Groeschell's book, Soul Detox, is the springboard for the topics the students will discuss. Just imagine the dynamic conversations you can have on the way home or at breakfast by investing in this stage of spiritual development for your child! Meet in room 110 with other friendly parents ready for a dynamic conversation. Books are available for purchase for $12.

Ministry Communication

For updates on activities, deadlines, payments or any other information please look to the weekly bulletin announcements at Sunday church services, our weekly email, here on our website, Facebook Fan Page or group text messages. halford [at] goodshepherd-naperville [dot] org (Let us know )if you need more information about being included in any of these communication mediums.

Fall Bash - Sunday, Sept 9 6:30-8:15pm

What a great night! We had over 300 students outside having fun in the tug-o-war mud pit, soapy slip N slide, playing volleyball, roasting marshmallows and more. If you did not get to complete your registration form on this night, download it nowand return it church on Sunday.

This is a night you won't want to miss! Students and parents are invited to the kick-off of our 2012-2013 Student Ministries year. Come and register. Students will connect with those in their grade level. Whether you enjoy, small group games or if you think that messy games are a blast, this Fall Bash is being planned with you in mind.

• Worship together & experience faith stories from students!
• Options for Messy Games or Non-Messy Games!
• Learn about the many events throughout the Student Ministries year!
• Register for IGNITE & FaithWalk Journey!

Get More Information

Explore Volunteering