Youth Activities
WOW is a weekend in January each year, when about 2,500 youth from all over the state of Missouri descend upon the Expo Center in Springfield, MO to participate in two solid days of Christian music bands, comedians, speakers, and more. Any teen who has ever attended WOW comes away saying it was an "Awesome!" experience.
New Hope sends several eager teens and their dauntless, brave, ready-to-be-sleep-deprived adult leaders to WOW each year, for an experience the teens will remember for a lifetime....and which they look forward to repeat again, the next year. By the way, the weekend it is so often referred to simply as "WOW" that most people don't know it stands for Weekend of Worship, or that it is hosted by the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church. |
Methodist Camps. Over the years our youth have participated in a wide range of Methodist summer camps. Many of these are "theme" camps, where the camp focuses a particular activity or interest. Campers get to explore an activity they want to know about and make new friends, while growing in knowledge of God and the security that Christ brings to their lives
Youth Group. Depending on the number of youth we have with ages ranging from 12 to 18 years old (basically, junior high through high school), we have an active youth group that meets separately from church. Goals for the group are to provide Christ-centered discussion, learning, and support for people in their teen years, while having fun and camaraderie in a safe Christian environment. Teens from New Hope and from the local community participate. The youth group also involves other special activities like work days, and going on mission trips.
Mission trips. From time to time New Hope has sent groups (especially youth and their adult chaperones) on trips to help with building and restoration projects outside the local community. Our groups have helped with rebuilding after natural disasters like floods (in Louisiana, following hurricane Katrina) and tornadoes (Joplin, MO), and with community renewal in places like St. Louis. Everyone who has been on one of these trips will tell you they are as fun as they are rewarding/hard work. The work benefits someone who, for example, has lost their home, and the fun comes from working together as a group.