Lots of kids have one thing in common when it comes to their weekend plans: many attend some kind of youth group.  Multiple different youth groups have become popular with the WCA community.

Many students enjoy going to youth group for multiple different reasons. Annie Hartwig, senior, attends Krew at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church and finds it as a stress reliever and a place to have fun.

“I love spending time with all the leaders and kids there. It’s fun to be crazy and forget about all the stress in my life.  I enjoy the message we hear as well,” said  Hartwig.

Chesterfield Presbyterian seems to be popular among WCA kids, but also  involves students from many different schools.

“I’m not sure where I would be without my youth group.  Some of my best friends have been formed through youth group.  Krew has really strengthened my relationship with Christ, and the leaders have given me great role models to emulate,” said Hartwig.

In recent years, many students have gone to the same youth group, such as First Evangical Free Youth Group, and it has always been considered one of the most attended by WCA students. However, that is starting to change, and not all students think it is good that everyone goes to the same youth group. Rather than large numbers of WCA students converging at one church, kids are starting to spread out a bit more.

“Different youth groups are good because all Christians need a place that works for them as an individual, not just because it’s popular,” said Christian Thompson, senior, who attends Revolution Youth Movement at Church on the Rock.

Students have found that it is good to find one solid youth group where they can be themselves and grow closer to God.

“I enjoy going to youth group because it is like home.  It’s the place I feel accepted and loved.  It’s the only setting where I have a safe place to grow in Christ with my peers,” said Thompson.

Other students feel that it is beneficial to have one major youth group where everyone goes.

“I think it’s good to have one popular youth group because that way you can form relationships with the people there and grow with each other,” said Mary Snapp, senior, who attends First Evangelical Free Youth Group.

Each student has their reasons for believing how beneficial it is to attend at the same place.

“I’ve been going to the church since I was a kid, so I know all the people really well.  It’s fun to get to spend time worshiping with them. The youth group has brought me a lot closer with God and given me practical ways to live for him,” said Snapp.

Some youth groups have WCA students flocking to them while others are smaller and more unknown.  Some students feel that it is a good thing to branch out from the Westminster environment.

“I enjoy going to my youth group because not many WCA kids go, so that helps me get away from all the WCA influences and focus on the Lord. It’s also a time where I can forget about everything at school and focus on the Lord,” said Emily Orf, senior, who attends ZOE youth group at West County Community Church.

All of the youth groups have had a big impact on changes students lives in the WCA community.

“Personally ZOE has changed me because every summer, we go on a trip somewhere and this year while I was on the trip, I dedicated my life to Christ fully.  I’ve been changed through ZOE,” said Orf.