Wesley Youth Fellowship "Surge"

Grades 6th-12th

The youth program is open to all students in 6th - 12th grade. There are many ways to be part of the church as a youth. We hope that you will take part in several areas - and consider Wesley your church home, and your church family. Our Jr High programs are open to youth in grades 6th-8th. Our Sr High programs are open to youth in grades 9th-12th.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Wesley UMC Youth Ministry is for youth to learn, share and grow in Christ in a fun, caring and positive environment.

"Surge" Youth Fellowship Group

Every Wednesday night, 6:15-8:00pm during the school year in Wesley Hall! Dinner is available ($6 per student) from 5-6p, then stay and join your friends for YF from 6:15-8p. Every week we experience worship led by youth, small group studies (divided by grade and gender), & big group games. Watch for special "off campus" nights (which might include concerts, community service projects, seasonal fun activities & more!) which will be advertised on this web-site, in the church calendar, and on the youth board.

Summer "Surge" - Summertime BBQ Bible Studies

Every Wednesday night, 6:00-8:00pm during the summer, all students (that have completed grades 6th-12th) meet off-site for our Summer BBQ Bible Studies. The location changes every week and those locations will be sent to all youth families on a postcard, posted on the youth board, on our facebook group page (Wesley UMC Surge), and listed here on the youth news web page. Students are asked to bring $2 to cover the cost of hotdogs and burgers, and to also sign up to bring either chips, a side dish, or a dessert, if you can. We enjoy a meal together and then hit the blankets and lawn chairs for a time of Bible Study. Bible Study groups are junior high, senior high girls, and senior high boys. Bring your Bible! Bring your friends!

Sunday Night Bible Studies- SrHigh Girls/SrHigh Guys

On Sunday nights, 7:00-9:00pm, senior high girls and senior high guys can attend a Bible Study just for you. Join in anytime! All senior high students (grades 9-12) are welcome. Dessert provided. Directions are on the youth board. STUDENTS CAN JOIN THE STUDIES ANY TIME. Address information is available on the youth board, in the church directory, and by contacting Frank Newburn or Stacy Ash.

Current Study and Locations: Girls / Every Young Woman's Battle / Kiera Martin's home, Boys / Random Bible Studies led by Students / Frank Newburn's home 

Other Youth Events

There are lots of youth events that you can take part in, including: lock-ins (look for one in December!), girls retreats, mission trips (sign up before Christmas), fall retreats, service projects (3rd Thursday Safe Harbor - yourh prepare and serve a meal), Corn Maze outing, wilderness trips, choir tours, small groups, bible studies, concerts and more! Information on specific events can be found on the youth calendar, by going to the youth board at Wesley, or on our Wesley UMC Surge Facebook Group page.

Mission Trips

Mission trip opportunities are offered every year for our senior high students (completed 9th-12th grade), and every other year for our junior high students (completed 6th-8th grade). An international mission trip is offered every four years for our senior high students.

Mission Trips Summer 2012:  Senior High will serve in Dayton, Ohio. Registration forms are available on the youth board. The deadline to register for this service/mission opportunity is December 31, 2011.

Sunday Morning Worship & Sunday School

Join us on Sunday mornings for Worship and Sunday School.
Worship: 9:00 am traditional service & 11:15 am contempory service, meets in Sanctuary
Sunday School: 10:15 am - 11:00 am   (*8th grade and Senior High meet from 10:10am - 11:00am)
Grades 6th - 7th meet in room 30; 8th Grade meets in Jr. High Youth Lounge; Sr. High grades 9th - 12th meet in Sr. High Youth Lounge

Safe Harbor - 3rd Thursday of Each Month, 5:15-7:30 PM

All youth are invited to help prepare and serve a meal at our local Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter. Steve Brown, Brad Schumann & Darcy Bogle make the dinner plans, and gather the ingredients for you to create a great meal for those in our community that are in need. Transportation is provided from the church to Safe Harbor, and back. Sign up & find more information on the youth board. *Note: Homemade cookies (8-10 dozen, at least 3 inch diameter) are needed for dessert each month. If you would like to serve Safe Harbor by providing dessert on our 3rd Thursdays, sign up on the youth board, bake your cookies, place them on paper plates sealed in a plastic bag, labeled "youth safe harbor cookies", leave them in the small kitchenette by noon on that Thursday). *Note: Permission Forms are needed to transport students. Forms are available on the youth board.

Orange "Surge" T-Shirts

We have a youth group t-shirt that shows our name, SURGE, and group definition. If you don't have yours yet, you can pick one up on Wednesday nights during YF ("surge"), or talk to Frank or Stacy. The cost for the t-shirt is $12.00.

Youth Music Program

All youth are welcome to make beautiful music by taking part in our Jubilation youth choir for Jr and Sr high youth and in our Exaltation Ensemble for Sr High youth. You can also ring bells in our youth bell choir, or take part in our brass and woodwind group. See Youth Music Ministries for more information.

Youth Cabinet Members

Worship/Prayer Team:
Ally Ash, Laura Poulter, Cally Bloxam

InReach/OutReach Team:
Kathryn Livengood, Dave Hall, Jake Rolfs, Megan Fish, Emily Markwood, Jillian Burgess, Lucas Homann 

Adult Mentors:
Stacy Ash, Matt Sherill (Worship/Prayer Team);
Frank Newburn, Sara Newburn, Brian Armstrong (InReach/OutReach Team)

Small Group "Surge" Youth Leaders

11th/12th Grade Boys - Frank Newburn, Matt Sherrill, Brian Armstrong
11th/12th Grade Girls - Sara Newburn, Lindsey Sherrill, Michelle Jones, Tammy Houtzel
9th/10th Grade Boys - Steve Brown, Tony Merritt
9th/10th Grade Boys - Darcy Bogle, Barb Brown, Kelly Snyder
8th Grade - Stacy Ash, Nancy Hoffman, Dietra Kulicke, Sarah Todd
6th/7th Grade Boys - Josh Houtzel, Bryan Siverly, Larry Lowery
6th/7th Grade Girls - Beth Sennett, Carol Ambler, Sandi Hinrichs
Additional Subs/Chaperones - Marc Hinrichs, Klaus Kulicke, Alan Markwood

Youth Calendar (List Format)

Contact Information For Both Students and Parents!

In order to communicate with you effectively we need email adresses and contact information for BOTH students and parents. We are also keeping on file a general permission/health form for every student that participate regularly in youth events. Please turn in your form as soon as possible to the program directors. Contact us as soon as possible whenever your health or contact information changes so we can update our records. Youth program events are advertised in email, church web-site, youth board, SURGE facebook page, church and youth calendars and quarterly by USpostal mail to parents. Last minute change and updates are sent via email, and posted on the youth new page here on the web-site, the youth board, SURGE facebook page, and the church calendar. Please send your contact information to Stacy Ash.

Youth Directors - Frank Newburn & Stacy Ash

If you have any questions about the youth program, you can contact Frank Newburn (309) 827-8046, ext. 24, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; or Stacy Ash (309) 827-8046, ext. 16, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Meet Frank and Stacy!