ORCHARD YOUTH (Click here for Youth News & Events.) "Growing students into new and stronger followers of Jesus by teaching them how to Reach up, Grow deep and then Branch out!" We reach up to experience God’s presence. We grow deep to understand God’s character. We branch out to illustrate God’s love.  Who: 6th through 12th grade students who represent several different school clusters including Loganville, Youth, Monroe, LCA, George Walton, Grayson, and South Gwinnett.  When: 6th-8th grades meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 PM 9th-12th grades meet on Sunday nights from 7:00 to 8:00 PM   Where: In The Porch at The Orchard Church. Why: Our biggest hope is to connect students to God and to each other. It’s not easy being a teen in today’s world, but through supportive relationships, solid teaching, and relevant faith experiences we aim to help students find Jesus, then grow stronger in the journey of following Him.  The Porch allows students opportunities to reach up in worship together, to grow deep in their breakout sessions as they look to scripture, and then to be filled up in order to branch out into a world that is in desperate need of a Savior!  The Porch is place geared towards the world that students live in today and has been created to point them towards a God who will meet them where they are. Time at The Porch includes worship led by The Porch Band, games that make a point (and sometimes don’t), teaching from the Bible, and breakout sessions so students can learn from each other and ask tough questions in a safe environment.  What: So what can you expect on a Sunday night at The Porch? Student led worship, games with a purpose, age appropriate biblical teaching, grade and age level break-out session for deeper discussion and relationships.  We start by gathering together as a large group (all students) in The Porch for some exciting (and sometimes gross) games, worship and a message. After the message, we split the group into breakout sessions by grade and gender. Breakout sessions allow youth to ask questions, to explore scripture and to spend time discussing the message and its relevancy to their lives! Breakout sessions are led by one of the adult youth counselors who regularly work with Porch students. Afterwards, we come back together for snacks and hang out time.  Events: We have a huge variety of outside events that occur throughout the year that give students the opportunity to step outside the walls of the church and their homes in order to draw closer to Christ. From 5th Quarter Nights to Stone Mountain Trips to Lock-ins there is always something going on with The Orchard Student Ministry. There are mission opportunities such as Whisper Mountain and River of Life as well as personal growth retreats like our Boys and Girls Retreats! Yearly Orchard 101 for Youth is provided for students who would like to grow deeper in faith by being baptized or becoming members at The Orchard. Upcoming Youth Events are listed here.  Come check us out! We would love to have you. Our best advice for first timers it to bring a friend! More Information: Feel free to contact Rich Griffith, Youth Pastor, if you have any questions about the Porch and youth events.  Visit Youth News & Events