If you have ideas that you think would be helpful, please share those with us.
Isaiah Thomas, Assistant Pastor and Youth Ministry Director
Marcela Henderman, Youth Ministry Assistant Director of Programs
Brandon Blevins, Youth Ministry Assistant Director of Outreach & Discipleship
Hayden McMahon, Youth Ministry Associate
Catherine Shallow, Youth Ministry Associate
Please reach out to the above staff with any concerns, needs, or questions.
PODCAST: "Three Opinions & One Degree"
Our new series is called "Faith AND..."
REGULAR Meetings / Events
Sunday School
9 AM / for Grades 6-12 / Youth Lounge (On the first Sunday of each month, breakfast is served and youth meet in the Fellowship Hall.)
Join us as we meet in large and small groups, have a teaching time from God's Word, and worship together!
Youth Group
Wednesdays / Youth Lounge & Gym
May 7 & 14: Middle School: 6-7:30 PM / High School: 7:30-9 PM
May 21: NO Youth Group
May 28: Parents vs. Students Game Night
Summer schedule: MS & HS combined / 6:30-8 PM
June 4, 18
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
August 6
August 13: Parents vs. Students Game Night
We will praise God through song and learn more about the Gospel of grace through Bible teaching, peer discussion, and prayer. This will be a great time to have fun playing group games, to be reminded of what is true, and to know that you are not alone as we walk through life together.
Community Groups
Community groups are intimate gatherings organized by gender and grade level. They meet at various times and locations, each guided by different leaders. Our goal is for these groups to foster meaningful connections among students, deepen their understanding of God, and provide opportunities for enjoyable fellowship. Below are the current dates for our community groups. If you have any questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to contact our youth staff. ***Our Community Groups are winding down for the school year and will mostly take a break during the summer. Some groups may still meet 1x/month for fellowship and food.***
Click here to print Summer 2025 Calendar
celebration sunday
All WEPC youth students, the families of 6th graders and the families of graduating seniors are invited to join us on June 1st for Celebration Sunday where we will officially welcome the rising 6th graders into youth ministry and celebrate our graduating seniors. We will hear from parents and students and enjoy breakfast together. Please RSVP your family if you are the parent of a rising 6th grader or graduating senior!
The amazing race
May 17 / 10 AM - 5 PM / around the city of Richmond and at WEPC
Grab your friends and race through the streets of Richmond in a wild scavenger hunt with a twist. You’ll team up with adult drivers, taking on thrilling challenges and completing crazy tasks to earn points and be crowned the ultimate winners. Whether you’re solving riddles, dodging obstacles, or just having a blast, this event is packed with excitement. And don’t worry, we’ve got your back with a delicious dinner to fuel you up at the end of the day. Trust us – you won’t want to miss this unforgettable adventure! Bring your friends, snacks to share in the car, a water bottle, and let’s make it a day to remember!
The Landing Camp
June 12-16 / Watermarks Camp in Scottsville, VA
Get ready for an unforgettable summer camp for all students and their friends! Whether you're a rising 6th grader, a graduating senior, or any grade in between, this is the perfect chance to dive deeper into your faith, learn more about Jesus, and grow in your relationship with Him. You’ll have a blast with your friends, old and new, while enjoying all the awesome camp activities—from outdoor adventures to campfire hangouts. You’ll stay in cabins with your peers, creating lasting friendships and memories. Bring your friends, and get ready for an incredible week that’ll leave you closer to Jesus and closer to each other!
TOTAL COST: $390 (including deposit); full amount due at check-in on June 12.
DEPOSIT (due by June 2): $100
***Scholarships are available for both the deposit amount and/or whole amount. Please contact Marcela for more information and mark your registration form accordingly in the payment section.
High School Appalachian Service Project
This summer, we have the opportunity to partner with Appalachian Service Project to serve impoverished communities! We believe this will be a chance for students to grow in their faith and to love the world around them well. Ultimately, we pray it will point them to Jesus and his self-sacrificial love for them.
What is Appalachia Service Project?
ASP Mission Statement: “Appalachia Service Project is a Christian Ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair and replacement in Central Appalachia.”
“ASP provides one of the most rewarding structured service opportunities in the nation – bringing thousands of volunteers from around the country to Central Appalachia to repair homes for low-income families.” - ASP Website
Why Appalachia Service Project?
The Need
According to the ASP Website and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC.gov), “2018 Census data shows that 11.8% of families in the United States live in poverty. However, Appalachian families experience poverty at a rate of 16%.”
This poverty, unfortunately, makes many needed home repairs unaffordable for these impoverished families. ASP organizes volunteers to meet this need, providing a tangible expression of God’s love for these families and giving comfort to those who need it.
Our Vision and Hope
While we don’t claim to know every student and family’s story, we know that many of our youth have not experienced this kind of poverty, nor interacted in depth with the culture which they will see on this trip. We hope that through this opportunity, students will be awakened to the need in the world around them, seeing opportunities, even outside of their own front door, to show the love of Jesus to those around them. We also hope that our students will themselves experience the love of Christ in a new and fuller way through their service.
Trip Details
a. July 20-26, 2025 -- Nicholas County, WV
b. $600 per student
- $100 deposit due at sign-up
- $200 due May 15
- $100 due June 15
- $200 due July 15
c. Students are encouraged to fundraise their trip fees! This will allow them to lean on the church, their loved ones, and ultimately God’s provision as they seek to serve Him and His people!
- We are currently planning a fundraiser!
- A sample fundraising letter is also provided for students to give to those whom they would ask for support.
d. There are 15 spots available! These are first come, first serve.
e. We will be staying at St Luke's United Methodist Church.
f. Students must be 15 by July 20th in order to participate on this trip.
Leadership
This team is currently being led by Brandon Blevins and Marcela Henderman. However, we are looking for three other adults to help lead! Please contact Brandon Blevins if you are interested!
bible reading plan
As we continue to connect students to Jesus, each other, and the world, the Youth Ministry staff would like to invite students to engage with the Bible Project Reading Plan! This plan is designed to take the reader through the Bible in a year. One of the ways we get to know God is by learning His Word, and this reading plan can be a helpful tool towards understanding God better.
For more information, use the links below to find the plan, along with instructions and helpful aids to use as you walk through the Bible. We have also provided links to podcasts and an audio Bible with the hope that these will be other helpful tools for engaging the Bible in your own time!
Bible Reading Plan (PDF Version)
Audio BibleBible Project Podcast
We use our texting list to send information and reminders about upcoming happenings directly to students. Two ways for students to be added to our texting list:
Click HERE and Enter Name and Cell Phone Number
OR
Text "WEPCYOUTH" to 40650
Important: Terms of Service & Privacy Policy Message frequency may be periodic. Msg & Data rates may apply.
To cancel, send STOP to 40650 at any time. For help, send HELP to 40650 at any time.
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We use Instagram to post pics, videos, information and reminders about upcoming happenings.