Students
Middle School & High School
In Student Ministries at Good Shepherd, we invite your whole family to walk together in the calling of Christ for a life of eternal impact.
We believe that God does incredible work during the middle and high school years. Sometimes that work is messy, but a lot of time it is awe-inspiring! Our priority in Student Ministries is to come alongside parents/guardians to continue to help middle and high school students understand their identities, explore their faith, and learn to walk in the calling of Christ.
Our desire is to help parents feel supported, equipped and empowered to grow with their teenagers through various ministry opportunities and resources offered throughout the year. We know that authentic faith develops when young people have a team around them to model, support, and do life together. We’re ready to partner with you!
FUEL is for middle school students (grades 6-8) and families.
IGNITE is for high school students (grades 9-12) and families.
Come be a part of FUEL and IGNITE! To get involved, see the links and information below.
Disability Support In Children and Student Ministries
Our goal is for all children and students to be able to successfully participate in all ministries with their peers. Based on each child’s individual needs, we provide:
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- One-on-one buddies
- Coordination with staff and small group leaders
- Accommodations (visual schedules, fidgets, etc.)
- Self-contained sensory room
Middle School Ministry 6th - 8th Grade
Thursdays | 7 - 8:30 PM
Middle school ministry is for 6-8th grade youth! FUEL is a weekly gathering of middle school students that includes games, interactive and Bible-based messages, small group discussions, worship, and more. Our in-person gatherings meet in the Worship Center at Good Shepherd. All middle school students are welcome! Our small groups are led by adult and high school leaders who walk with students throughout the school year. These leaders pray, share, laugh, and grow with their students as they help them to pursue authentic faith and live life on mission with Jesus. We organize our small groups by gender, grade, and school so that students can connect with others from their school. Our students come from a variety of schools in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, Plainfield, Downers Grove, and beyond!Throughout the Year
In addition to our weekly gatherings, we offer quarterly events for middle school students like the Half-Nighter, Dodgin’ 4 Dough, Winter Camp, Eternal Impact, and more! See our Student Ministry current events & registration page for the most updated information and registration forms.Registration Links
Ready to join us? Register for Family Life 2022-2023 Looking to serve in Student Ministries? Family Life Leader Registration 2022-2023
Confirmation Affirmation of Baptism
Our confirmation program is for students in 9th grade and older.
Our unique Confirmation ministry – known as Faithwalk – is intended to help students find a personal and authentic faith, identify more deeply with the Christian community, and live on mission with Jesus. The process of confirmation or “affirmation of baptism,” culminates with the Affirmation of Baptism worship service each year. Students 9th grade and older may participate in Faithwalk. Parents and students participate in together in classes, plus a student retreat. The program usually runs from September – April, meeting once a month. Lessons are based on big questions of faith and core biblical concepts. Students have the chance to share their story of knowing God (their “faith journey) through a unique, hand-crafted Faith Expression Project. Please contact us using the button below if you’d like more information about Faithwalk! All updates and registration information about Faithwalk is found on our Student Ministry current events & registrations page.
High School Ministry 9th - 12th Grade
Sundays | 7 - 8:30 PM
High school ministry for 9-12th grade youth! IGNITE is a weekly gathering of high school students that includes games, interactive and Bible-based messages, small group discussions, worship, and more. Our in-person gatherings meet in the Worship Center at Good Shepherd. All high school students are welcome! Our small groups are led by adult leaders who walk with students throughout the school year. These leaders pray, share, laugh, and grow with their students as they help them to pursue authentic faith and live life on mission with Jesus. We organize our small groups by gender, grade, and school so that students can connect with others from their school. Our students come from a variety of schools in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, Plainfield, Downers Grove, and beyond!Tuesdays | 7 - 8:30 PM
We also offer a Bible study for all high school students on Tuesday nights from 7 - 8:30 PM in room 5A. This is a great place for students who want to grow deeper in their faith and understanding of the Bible. We will be studying the book of JOHN togetherThroughout the Year
In addition to our weekly gatherings, we offer quarterly events for high school students like the Delta Retreat, Dodgin’ 4 Dough, Winter Retreat, Workcamp, and more! See our Student Ministry current events & registration page for the most updated information and registration forms.Registration Links
Ready to join us? Register for Family Life 2022-2023 Looking to serve in Student Ministries? Family Life Leader Registration 2022-2023
Dodgin' 4 Dough Community Dodgeball Tournament & Fundraiser
FEBRUARY 10-11, 2023
Dodgeball is back! Join us for our annual fundraiser to support our High School Ministry's Workcamp for Summer 2023. This event is open to the public for anyone in 4th grade and up to show off their dodgeball skills. Tournament brackets times are tentatively scheduled for...- High School, Friday (02/10) 6 - 10 PM
- 4/5th Grade, Saturday (02/11) 9 AM -12 PM
- Middle School, Saturday (02/11) 12:30 - 3:30 PM
- Adults, Saturday (02/11) 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Ways to Get Involved
- REGISTER: Register your team! The cost to play is $25 per player.
- VOLUNTEER: Sign-up to volunteer for the event here.
- SPONSOR: Learn more and become a sponsor for our tournament.
Winter Camp Preteens - 12th Grade
For those in 4th grade and up, we're headed to Winter Camp! We are hoping to fill our buses for winter fun, community building, and Jesus! All camps will depart from Good Shepherd on Friday afternoon and return on Sunday afternoon.
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4th & 5th Grade | Preteens
Date: Friday, February 17 - Sunday, February 19, 2023
Registration Instructions:- You will be prompted to sign in (if your child is a previous camper) or sign up for an account (if your child is a new camper).
- Once you have done that, add your campers to "Session: Winter Camp for 3-6th grade, Feb. 17-19, 2023".
- Click "Add to Cart"!
- You will then be able to add Good Shepherd as your session option.
- Payment ($230) will be taken with registration via Covenant Harbor.
- Continue through to Step 5: "Review" and click the blue "Submit Application" button.