Grades 7 - 12

Bay Area Youth

If you are in grades 7-12 and are looking for an exciting youth group to be a part of, we invite you to join the Bay Area teens. Take a look below at some of the many wonderful things that our youth group has to offer.

Bible Classes, Devotionals

Developing a closer, personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the center of everything we are about. Our weekly classes and devotionals are aimed at bringing us into a better understanding of God's Word, and realizing how God's love comes alive in our lives. Our Bible classes are divided into 7th - 9th grade and 10th - 12th grades. Once a year we separate our classes by gender. The youth group consists of approximately 75 teens from 17 different area schools. Since January, we have seen 24 teenagers baptized into Christ.

The Harbor

On Wednesday nights the entire youth group meets in the teen room from 6:00 - 7:30, eats some pizza, plays foosball, air hockey, pinball, video games, or just "hangs out" together. At 7:30 we spend 20 minutes singing Songs of Praise and learning new songs. This is followed by a lesson brought by Tim or one of the men of the congregation. We generally have about 70 teens in attendance. The Harbor is not only a time to draw closer to God, but also an evangelistic effort. The atmosphere is designed to be very "visitor friendly" and every week we have teenagers bringing their school friends to "church" for the very first time. We end each Wednesday night with a special prayer time.

Huddle Groups

During the school year we get together on Sunday nights at 6:00 for "Huddle Groups". We spend some time singing praises, and then break up into small groups according to grade. A different couple is in charge of each "huddle group" for the school year. Each huddle group is discussing the same topic, but the huddle leaders craft their particular lesson to the needs of their age group. It is a "small group" atmosphere that enables the teachers to "dig a little deeper" as well as promoting unity within the small group. We usually share a meal together in the Family Life Center when huddles break up.

Power Hour

During the year we have a lot of "Power Hours". Power Hours are generally divided between one of "Tim's goofy games", and a devotional time. Power Hours are fun times to not only get together and play some games, but also tap into a little bit of "God's Power" to help get us through the week.

Central Florida Bible Camp

This congregation has been in charge of designing and directing a week at Central Florida Bible Camp for the past 14 years. This past year 73 campers and 29 staff attended CFBC from the Bay Area congregation. Of the nine weeks of summer camp offered at CFBC, the Bay Area week is the only "by invitation only" week. This is due to the fact that the number of applicants far exceeds the space available. This year we had 155 campers and a waiting list of almost 50 more. Our week of camp is designed to be a spiritual oasis for our children and it is exciting and encouraging to see so many teenagers respond to that.

Tampa Workcamp

For the past two years the Bay Area youth group has planned and implemented Tampa Workcamp. Workcamp is a four day service project of painting homes in the community for the elderly and needy. Congregations from south Florida, Texas, Arkansas, and central Florida have joined us in this outreach. Last year we had 120 teenagers and 21 adults painting homes for four days in July. In the past two years we have been able to paint 22 homes during Tampa Workcamp.

Service Projects

Our teenagers are involved in different service projects throughout the year. They have been involved with painting and landscaping members' homes. (excluding Workcamp homes), cooking and providing meals for families of ill children at the Ronald McDonald House near Tampa General Hospital, raising money for the American Cancer Society, as well as involvement in "Walk For Life". For the past several years the youth group has "adopted" a family with small children at Christmas time. They have purchased, wrapped and delivered presents to families who were going through financial struggles.

Youth Rallies / Retreats

The youth group attends several youth rallies and retreats during the year. CYF (Christian Youth Fellowship) Sonquest (Orlando), YIA (Birmingham, AL), as well as retreats planned in south Florida and eastern Tennessee.

Mission Support

The youth group has helped raise money for the tiles that were purchased for the Finlaysons' work in Guyana, as well as being involved in the Christmas boxes for Guyana. They have raised money for the Rosie's work in Madagascar.

Prayer Breakfast

This school year the youth group has begun a "prayer breakfast club" that meets once a week for breakfast before school. We share breakfast ast McDonalds together, and have a prayer together before the teenagers leave for high school. We are currently meeting on Thursday mornings in the Brandon area, with a Tuesday morning prayer breakfast planned for the Tampa area.

Activities, Activities, Activities

Relationships are formed from shared experiences, and the Bay Area Youth group offers weekly opportunities to share experiences. We get together often and do just about anything that we think might be fun.

Congregational Activities

The youth group is active in the Lads to Leaders program, as well as helping staff Nursery duties, babysitting for events, participating in public worship, etc; working as a part of the body.