Trinity Lutheran Youth Ministry walks alongside youth with the love of Jesus! Our WHY for doing ministry, our inspiration, is simple. We want to see youth live out their faith in everyday life!

HOW we do this has become five guiding principles we strive to incorporate into every aspect of Youth Ministry.

We encourage spiritual habits
We inspire Christ-like servant hearts
We build intentional relationships
We provide community
We emphasize identity in Christ

So as we get ready to start a new year, our prayer is that youth see intentionality in our ministry. We are not just about entertaining youth but helping them to be an example to all people in what they say, in the way they live, in love, faith, and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

If you want to know more about this ministry, email Christy Malinowski, Director of Youth at ChristyMali@trinluth.org.

JR DISCIPLESHIP

JR Discipleship is a two year journey for students and parents that will teach and model the Christian life and help with their understanding of the LCMS doctrine. This journey is intended to lead students toward the Rite of Confirmation where they will give voice to the faith promises made at their baptism. It will encourage them to own their faith and equip them to live it out in everyday life. In the two years, we will be teaching and modeling what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus. We will also be intentional in our partnering with the home so that parents and students remain active in this faith journey together! We have three words that will help us on this journey.
EQUIP. CONNECT. ENGAGE!

COMING UP . . .

JR Discipleship ENGAGE opportunity in worship event:
Sunday, October 6th from 1:30-2:15PM. All 7th & 8th graders and a parent are invited to “tour” the areas in worship where we have a need for people to ENGAGE their gifts and serve. Meet in the sanctuary!
JR Discipleship Midwest Food Bank EVENT:
We have an opportunity to ENGAGE in serving on Wednesday, October 30th from 6-8:00PM. This is open to our JR Discipleship students and their parents/families.

SIGN UP HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

IMPACT LEADERS - We are meeting on Sunday, December 15th from 5-7:00 pm. Be watching for more details through our Remind thread!
Live Nativity will once again be done by our JR & SR High youth group for the 7:00PM service on Christmas Eve. We will practice in the sanctuary on Sunday, December 22 from 12:00-1PM.
JR High Discipleship CONNECT will be on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at TLS from 7-8:30 pm. See you there!
Sunday Discipleship will NOT meet on December 29 or January 5th but will return on Sunday, January 12 from 9:30-10:15AM.

TRINITY YOUTH GROUPS

If you are going into the following grades this fall, see which youth group is designed for you! You are welcome to join the age group for you beginning this month!!!

JR High Youth group is for those students going into 6-8th grade this fall.
SR High Youth group is for those students going into 9-12th grade this fall.

JR High Youth

High School youth join us for our Youth Nights on Wednesdays at church from 7-8:30 pm. Here is the schedule for this month: December 4, December 11, and December 18. We will start back up on Jan.8th!

SR HIGH YOUTH

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE

who supported our “Night in N’awlins” fundraiser! It was an amazing night filled with lots of fellowship, food, laughter and raising funds for our youth group. We don’t have exact figures yet but will keep you all posted. We hope those that attended enjoyed the evening and the fellowship! Here are a few photos from that night!

IMPACT Leadership Team

Our leadership team’s mission is to “Inspire youth to live for the LORD in ways that leave lasting IMPACT!”

Leadership team meets monthly to grow in their faith, develop leadership skills, plan activities and serve in a variety of ways at our events.

Our team this year is growing in leadership characteristics as well as confidence in writing and sharing devotions.

LCMS YOUTH GATHERING

If you are interested in going to the National Youth Gathering next summer and will be in high school this fall, please reach out to Christy Malinowski. We would like to get information out to families so you can pray and see if this is something your student would be interested in attending. We are needing commitments and deposits by August 4th. See Christy if you have any questions or would like the information.

TRINITY YOUTH SUNDAY MORNING

Our discipleship time on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15AM, provides an opportunity for youth and adults to be spiritually filled as we study scripture and grow in our spiritual habits. We also want youth to be relationally connected with one another through sharing our stories and encouraging each other on a regular basis.

Learn more

TRINITY YOUTH FAITH MILESTONES

As God’s family we have an opportunity to pause at important moments in our journey of faith to celebrate God’s work, remember God’s faithfulness, and pass on faith in Jesus from one generation to the next. We call these meaningful, memorable moments in the lives of individuals, families, and our congregation, the Faith Milestones.

PRETEEN FAITH MILESTONE : 5/6th GRADE MOTHER/DAUGHTER, FATHER/SON

CHALLENGE & CHOICE
10TH GRADE
GRADUATION MILESTONE
SENIOR BLANKET BLESSING

All Faith Milestones are in partnership with Family Life Ministry.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Trinity’s Co-Ed High School Basketball Teams provide excellent moments of Christian fellowship and sportsmanship. In addition to regularly scheduled practices and games, the teams participate in our Holiday Invitational Tournament, various other tournaments and the State Championship Tournament. Throughout the years, the dedication and Godly example of our coaches have continued to make this ministry a success.

Practices generally take place on Thursdays at Trinity Lutheran School, our Hamilton Rd. campus. All are welcome!

Contact Kyle Sander (309) 242-2583 for more information.

UKANDU CHICAGO MISSION TRIP

UKANDU CHICAGO MISSION TRIP TURNS 24

June 23rd kicked off UKANDU Chicago 2024. UKANDU Chicago, now in its 24th year, is a short term mission trip opportunity to bring hope, encouragement, and the love of Christ to others. This year's 151 participants from 5 different congregations will be divided into 27 teams blessing 18 different churches and schools with construction, painting, landscaping, outreach, Camp UKANDU, and more. This year's theme was "Saved By Grace".

The proactive philosophy and unusual name "UKANDU" lives in scripture: "I (You) CAN DO all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13).

Each day began with Morning Praise at 7:55AM. Lunch allowed for quiet time with a devotional book and evening Worship at 7:30PM.
This year UKANDU brought in GRAMMY® Nominated Hip Hop Artist FLAME for a concert on Tuesday night at 7:00PM.
Thursday night Concordia University Chicago blessed the teams with a dinner and tour. There was then a candlelight communion service in the Chapel.
Friday Night was a Celebration Service and representatives were invited from each of the 18 ministries that the teams walked alongside during the week.
Saturday, June 29, was pack-up and clean-up day with a closing Sending Service at 10:30AM.