Students
Middle School & High School
We love students at Good Shepherd! Our student ministries (grades 6-12) seek to help students find an authentic faith and live mission with Jesus. We do this through weekly events, small groups, retreats, serving opportunities, mission trips, and more. All students are welcome to attend – even if they don’t normally attend Good Shepherd.
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.
High School Ministry 9th - 12th Grade
Sundays | 7 - 8:30pm
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!*New for 2022!* Tuesdays | 7 - 8:30pm
We also offer a Bible study for all high school students on Tuesday nights starting January 2022 from 7-8:30pm 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.Ready to join us?
Register for IGNITE online!
Want more information? Contact our Director of Student Ministries, Elisabeth Lectka.Looking to serve within Student Ministries?
Complete our Family Life Leader Registration!
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 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 “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.
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:
Learn More
- 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 | 7-8:30pm
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.Ready to join us?
Register for FUEL online!
Want more information? Contact our Director of Student Ministries, Elisabeth Lectka.Looking to serve with Student Ministries?
Complete our Family Life Leader Registration!
Dodgin' 4 Dough Dodgeball Tournament Fundraiser
FEBRUARY 4-5, 2022
Dodgeball is back! Join us for our annual fundraiser to support our upcoming high school mission trip in Summer 2022. 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 (02/04) 6-10pm
- 4/5th Grade, Saturday (02/05) 9am-12pm
- Middle School, Saturday (02/05) 12:30pm-3:30pm
- Adults, Saturday (02/05) 3:30-5:30pm
Ways to Get Involved:
- REGISTER your team of 6-8 players. The cost to play is $25 per player.
- VOLUNTEER for the event.
- Become a SPONSOR.