Youth Ministry at Abiding Presence
Youth Ministry at Abiding Presence encompasses students in 7-12th Grade and focuses on building relationships, engaging in service, and talking about what God is up to in our lives.
Confirmation (7-8th grade)
7th and 8th grade ministry is focused on the Confirmation process. More information about Confirmation is available here.
Abiding Fellows (10-12th grade)
Our Senior High Youth Ministry is focused on developing relationships, offering experiences and learning about what it means to follow Jesus in order to help students develop sustaining faith. We wrestle with hard questions, welcome doubts and create an environment where when we say, “All are welcome” we really do mean all.
All of our 10th-12th graders are invited to engage in meaningful ministry in a variety of areas on Sunday mornings. Our Fellows teach Sunday school, learn to run our livestream, and contribute to worship music along with gathering regularly for brunch and faith formation. This program invests leadership development, vocational discernment and faith formation in our Senior High students as they invest their time and skills in the life of the church. For more information and current Abiding Fellows bios click here and check out our 2025 Summer Yearbook. If you have questions reach out to Pastor Kelsey at pastorkresse@abidingpresence.net.
9th Grade
Our 9th graders spend the first several weeks of the fall preparing for their Confirmation service in October. Beginning in November, they go on the road! Because we have a classroom space shortage at church, our 9th graders go across the street to McDonald’s on Sundays during the education hour for breakfast and fellowship with two adult leaders.
In the spring, they begin the Abiding Fellows Apprentice Program to start their journeys to becoming Abiding Fellows the summer before their 10th grade year. All 9th graders are welcome to jump in at any time and join us. Email Pastor Kelsey at pastorkresse@abidingpresnece.net to get connected!
Youth Wednesdays
Youth Wednesdays are our weekly gathering of 7th-12th graders for music and devotions, pizza, and a service project. Check the events feed below for more details on the next Youth Wednesday.
Fun
Throughout the school year, we also gather for fun activities like a trip to Cox Farms for Fields of Fear, bowling, ice skating, trips to museums in DC, and more! Check the events feed below for upcoming outings and events
For more information contact Pastor Kelsey Kresse, Associate Pastor for Youth and College Age Ministry
Ready to get started? Use the following buttons to find all all the info you need!
Upcoming Events
Youth SUmmer Programming
We have a blast at Abiding Presence all summer long! We have leadership programming and camps available for all rising 7th-12th graders. Information about Summer 2026 will be available soon. Questions or concerns? email Rev. Kelsey Kresse at pastorkresse@abidingpresence.net
Summer Abiding Fellows (Rising 10-12th Grade)
Summer Abiding Fellows runs during our Summer Camp programs in June and July and is a paid summer leadership development program for rising 10th-12th graders. Join us for 5 weeks of leadership building, service, vocational discernment and fun! For more information about the year-round Abiding Fellows program click here.
Monday - Friday from 10:00-3:30 p.m.
New this summer! We're rebranding our CIT program to become the "Abiding Presence Leadership Academy." Spend the morning in faith formation, thinking about how God is at work in the world and having fun with peers. In the afternoon, build leadership skills through being part of our summer camp team.
Youth can sign up for as many weeks as they would like and add on participation in the House Band. This is an opportunity for youth who are part of the Abiding Presence worshiping community or who are looking for a church home.
Cost: $125/week (sibling discount of $25/week per sibling who is attending the same week of preschool, elementary or Leadership Academy programming). If you are registering younger campers, please register your teen first, then use the discounted camp products to register your preschool/elementary camper.
Musical Theater Camp (Rising 6-12th grade)
We’re putting on a musical theater production…and we’re rehearsing and performing it in only ONE WEEK, July 20-24, 2026!
