The Pullen Youth Ministry exists to help youth and their families navigate the transition from childhood to young adulthood by introducing youth to a broad spectrum of issues and ideas that will help them to emerge as well-equipped young adults, grounded in faith.
We embrace each individual as a unique and beloved child of God. We accept people where they are and encourage them to grow in their relationships with God, their community, and themselves.
The youth ministry supports youth as they discover and nurture their spirituality. In true Baptist tradition, each youth is given the freedom to shape his or her own relationship with God as their faith journey grows and matures.
We welcome any young people in grades 6 - 12 to get involved!
Get Involved
Annual Events
Fall Retreat -Fall Retreat is the first trip of our program year. During this important time together we try to capitalize on this time together by intentionally mixing up the group and giving youth opportunities to get to know others in the group they may not know so well. Fun, fellowship, and reflection are all part of Fall Retreat.
Baptist Youth Camp- Baptist Youth Camp (BYC) is arguably the most beloved event of the program year among Pullen youth! In fact, it has been heard that the youth admitted if they could only do one activity they would want it to be BYC.
Pullen is one of the charter congregations that gave birth to BYC almost twenty years ago. It is now a group of covenant congregations that meet together at Laurel Ridge (a camp and conference center of the Moravian Church) each summer for the week that includes July 4. Camp includes creative and relevant bible study, active and thoughtful special interest groups, inspiring and reverent worship, and new and treasured relationships.
Music Opportunities
Worship Choir: Sundays at 10:15 am in 128-B starting September 15
This choir gathers each Sunday morning to enliven congregational singing and offer accessible music for that day’s worship. There are no other prerequisites or rehearsals. All Youth and Adults are welcome on any Sunday! Breaks in this choir’s schedule will be posted at pullen.org/music.
Contact: Larry Schultz
Pullen Orchestra
Youth and adults who have played wind, string, or percussion instruments for at least one year combine to form the Pullen Orchestra. This group offers instrumental music and accompaniments for worship, and rehearses on Sunday mornings from 8:45-9:45AM in the Rehearsal Hall (Room 128-B). The orchestra also plays each year for Pullen’s Sunday in the Park, Cameron Village’s Holiday Open House and travels annually to play for worship at other area churches.
Contact: Larry Schultz
Youth Festival by the Sea
Youth are invited to register for this choir that prepares music for the Youth Choir Festival by the Sea held in Myrtle Beach, SC, March 7-9. Pullen partners with other regional churches to provide this experience of choral music-making, with a large festival choir led by nationally known conductors. Participants who are unable to attend the Myrtle Beach event are still invited to sing in this choir, as the festival repertoire is used in worship at Pullen. Rehearsals are prior to Youth Group from 6:00-6:30 pm on Wednesdays in January and February in Room 128-B.
Contact: Larry Schultz
Rituals and Traditions
-
Rite-13 Ritual
This is an annual ceremony held during worship for youth who have already turned 13. In this ritual, the young people are charged with the responsibility to use wisely the creative power unleashed within them at puberty. It is procreative power as well as energy
useful in all aspects of life. This is followed by a commitment by the rest of the youth group and the congregation to provide support. The youth then receive a private blessing from their parents.
-
Christmas Eve Late Night Service
Our youth create and lead Pullen’s late night Christmas Eve service at 11:00 PM. This is a highly creative, meaningful worship experience. A gathering after the service for refreshments and fellowship has also become a favorite tradition, especially for young adults returning home for the holidays.
-
Lenten Discipleship Classes
Beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing through Easter, discipleship classes are offered each Wednesday night to explore various faith topics in more detail. Those who participate in the class that explores baptism will have an overnight retreat and will be paired with an adult mentor from our congregation.
-
Easter Baptism
The Easter Morning Baptism Service in Finlator Hall is a Pullen tradition following that of the early church. Those who have completed the discipleship class and have determined to be ready to symbolize their faith in the ritual of baptism join in this service. Each person being baptized is asked to write a statement of faith, which is shared with the congregation.
-
Youth Sunday
Usually held in May, this is a youth-led worship service that celebrates youth and honors our graduating high school seniors.