Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, But set an example for believers in speech,
in conduct, in love, In faith and in purity.
Welcome to Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church (PVUMC) Youth Program.
The Program is open to Middle School and High School students—both from our congregation and the surrounding community. Rooted in scripture, our mission is to surround today’s youth with people of faith and guide them in their spiritual growth through engaging, interactive experiences that connect biblical teachings to the modern world.
Our Vision
We aim to inspire and encourage youth to build their lives on a foundation of faith, recognizing the Lord as their guide, shield, provider, comforter, and pillar of strength in today’s complex world. Through scripture, community, and service, we create an environment where young people can flourish spiritually, emotionally, and socially.
A Safe Space to Grow
The PVUMC Youth Program provides a welcoming and safe space for youth to:
- Connect with one another and build lasting friendships
- Explore and deepen their faith through devotionals and discussion
- Serve God and their communities through mission and outreach
- Have fun with games, social events, and collaborative projects
- Learn, grow, and support one another in a community of peers
We encourage informal faith practice, belonging to God’s family, and meaningful participation in mission work—locally and beyond.
Regular Meetings & Activities
We meet 1–2 times per month, typically on Sunday afternoons right after church on the PVUMC campus. Each gathering lasts 1–2 hours and includes:
- Snacks and fellowship
- A short devotional on relevant themes (e.g., faith in family, friendship, stewardship, helping others, healthy and positive lifestyle, etc)
- Peer discussions about school, life, and faith
- Fun activities like games, team-building exercises, or planning future events
These sessions encourage peer-to-peer support, balancing fun with spiritual growth, and showcasing faith through love, respect, good conduct, and good deeds.
Parent Participation: Occasionally, we invite parents to join special meetings to discuss retreats, mission trips, or events involving travel. We understand that youth have busy schedules, so we remain flexible with activity dates.
Additional Activities
Our youth enjoy a variety of games and creative activities on church grounds, including:
- Games: 9 Square, frisbee, Jenga, bean bag toss, ladder toss, ring toss, leap frog, and knock-down cans
- Outings: Rock painting, bowling, eating out, shopping at the mall, and visiting the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC
Service Projects & Missions
Youth play an active role in our church and community through various service projects:
- Fundraising events (e.g., serving hotdogs on Super Bowl Sunday, making tacos for Cinco de Mayo)
- Supporting children’s programs: Easter Egg Hunt, Children’s Sunday School, Vacation Bible School (VBS)
- Participation in church ministries: serving as liturgists, scripture readers, and assisting with worship services
- Tech & music teams: involvement in the IT/livestreaming team, choir, and bell choir
Mission Trips:
We have participated in the following impactful mission trips where we assisted in home repair and community projects:-
- Mescalero, NM (July 2017)
- Winchester, KY (June 2019)
- Knoxville, TN (June 2018)
Retreats:
Our youth also enjoy spiritual retreats such as our trip to Massanutten in March 2017, where we bonded over food, games, mini-golf, water park fun, and even snow sledding.
Meet Our Youth Directors
Wonder Goredema and Danielle Ofori lead our Youth Program with warmth, experience, deep faith and a passion to serve. Wonder also teaches Sunday School and brings a wealth of experience in youth mentorship. Together, and with the kind advice and guidance of former Youth Director Nancy Penn, Wonder and Danielle create a faith-filled, nurturing, and inspiring environment where young people can thrive.
