Welcome to Shadow Youth Middle School!
Although our church may seem big, we strive to make it feel smaller and more personal for Middle School students through small groups, ministry events, student leadership, camps, activities, and more. We want your student to feel at home in our Middle School Ministry!
Visit our Link Tree for event information, forms, and more!
Weekend Service Sundays at 9:00am
Weekend Service Sundays at 9:00am
Join us for fellowship, worship, and a message on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in the Middle School Ministry Room. Please note we only have ONE Sunday morning service for middle school students. We have a reserved section in the Worship Center for any students who want to sit with us. Students are also welcome to sit with their families.
Once a month, we have "Saturday Night Fun," an event where we go to church together at 5:00 pm and do a fun event afterwards. We will do things such as: Nerf Wars, Handels ice cream, kick ball tournaments, and so much more. This is a great opportunity to have fellowship and invite new friends!
Small Groups Wednesdays at 6:15pm
Small Groups Wednesdays at 6:15pm
Small Groups are designed to provide a welcoming, safe, and Christ-centered environment for young people to seek Biblical answers, receive prayer support, and have an opportunity to develop a personal relationship with Christ.
A Middle School Small Group is:
- 5-15 students
- 2-4 adult leaders
- Activity-oriented
- Same sex, same grade
- Grouped by existing friendship clusters
- Christ-centered
A Small Group should offer:
- A place that welcomes every student
- A safe and fun environment
- Loving and caring adult relationships
- Positive peer friendships
- Biblical answers
- Prayer for and with others
- Chance to receive Christ
- To give everyone a place to belong and feel accepted.
- Quiet students share
- Absent students are missed
- Work with friendship clusters, not against them
- Provide support structure for newborn Christians
- Chance to grow spiritually
- Allow young people caring adult relationships, feedback and council.
- Provide adults an entry point for real ministry into student life.
Drop Off:
- Students should arrive at 6:15pm at the Middle School Room (at the south end of the Generations Building)
- If this is their first time or they have not been assigned to a small group, they will need to stop by the front desk to be placed in a group.
During Program Time:
- Program will begin at 6:30 pm in the middle school room.
- Middle School Ministry is a no phone zone. All cell phones will be silenced and put away during the message and small group time. If you need to contact your student in the event of an emergency, please call or text (619) 569-4885.
- There will be game time, worship, and a Biblical message.
- After this, students will be dismissed for small groups.
- In their small group rooms, they will spend time connecting with each other, discussing the message, and praying for each other.
Pick Up:
- Small groups will end at 8:15 pm.
- Students may call or text after small groups is over.
- Parent pick-up time is between 8:15pm - 8:30 pm.
To get connected to one of our small groups, stop by our info table any Wednesday night. One of our staff will be there to collect your information and connect you to a small group. You can also fill out the MSM Small Group Sign-Up form above.
If you’re interested in being a small group leader, please contact Anastasia Gautier. You can also fill out the Volunteer Inquiry Form above.
Middle School Leadership (MSL)
Middle School Leadership (MSL)
Middle School Leadership (MSL) exists to provide connections, opportunities, and environments that will help you seek, serve, and share Christ while using your gifts. As a leader, you have the opportunity to work alongside our staff to help make Middle School Ministry fun, welcoming, and excellent in every way. You will be challenged to grow in your leadership ability by serving at least once a month in one of our service areas: First Impressions Team, Production (Tech), or Worship Band. In addition, we have the opportunity to partner with Shadow Mountain Kids Ministry to serve as leaders during weekend services. We hold monthly MSL meetings where students can bond as a team and learn more about leadership (plus… free pizza!).
If you love being friendly and talking to people, this team is for you! F.I.T. is our "welcome" team that helps make Shadow Youth a warm, friendly environment. We seek out new students and help them feel welcome. You will help with check-in, signs-ups, giving directions, and prepping and decorating for events.
If you like to help with lights, sound, stage design, and tech of any kind, this team is for you! We get to run the soundboard, light board, computers, and setup the stage.
For those who love to use their musical gifts to praise God, we invite you to audition for the Worship Team! You get to serve by helping lead worship - playing instruments and/or singing along with the band. You will attend worship band practices and get to learn from experienced worship leaders. An audition is required before joining this team.
Baptism
Baptism
Baptism is the first step of obedience in the life of a Christian (Matt. 28:18 – 20). It is also a way for Christians to be publicly identified with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:3 – 4). Baptism does not bring salvation (Eph. 2:8 – 9), but symbolizes our new life, much like a wedding ring symbolizes ones marital status. You may have a lot of questions and we are here to help you along the way.
- Jesus set an example when he was baptized (Matt 3:16-17)
- Jesus commended all believers to be baptized (Matt. 28:18-20). It is an act of obedience to do what Jesus said to do.
- Baptism is symbol of our faith in Jesus- letting everyone know that you love, trust, and put your hope in Jesus Christ. Baptism does not get you to heaven (Eph. 2:8-9) (Luke 23:39-43) but symbolizes our new life, just like a wedding ring symbolizes that someone is married.
- Baptism lets everyone know you are a Christian! Baptism gives you a chance to say to the church, “I want to love Jesus and I am going to need your help.” And it allows the church to acknowledge your decision and respond, “That's awesome! We are also trying to love Jesus too and we want to help you along the way!” It’s like a welcome ceremony into the family of the Church.
Baptism ceremonies are done differently all over the world (just like weddings and other ceremonies). Here is how we do it at Shadow Mountain:
- We will pick a date that works for you to come and be baptized in one of the main church services. Students are usually baptized at Saturday Night service (Live at Five).
- You will come to church before service, meet up with Pastor Chase and will be escorted to the Baptistry area. You can bring a parent with you and there will also be a helper (called Deacon or Deaconess) to guide you through the process.
- There is a private changing room where you will change into a white robe (symbolizing being made clean and purified in Christ!).
- During the service you will get into the water in the “baptismal” (it’s like a small warm pool). Pastor Chase will introduce you to the church and you will read your testimony. It will be written down to you don’t have to memorize it)
- You will be dunked under the water (symbolizing death) and then lifted back out again (symbolizing new life in Christ).
- Everyone will cheer with excitement because they are so happy for you!
- And that’s it! You will be all wet, but the helper will give you towels and deal with the wet robe.
- You will get a video of the baptism sent to your email and a baptism certificate signed by Pastor Chase.
Awana Trek (Grades 6 — 8)
Awana
Trek (Grades 6 — 8)
AWANA, which stands for "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed", offers a curriculum that reaches children, youth, and families with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our proven and adaptable curriculum will have you developing leaders and discipling kids to walk with Christ for life. The programs start at age 2 and continue through age 18. AWANA meetings are structured and feature various activities like game time, worship, age-appropriate Bible lessons, and individual or group Scripture memorization. By using a combination of fun and educational elements, AWANA aims to create an exciting environment where children and youth can learn about the Christian faith while building strong moral character and personal discipline.
For more information about AWANA, click here.
Resound Middle School Choir
Resound
Middle School Choir
Resound is Shadow Mountain’s worship choir for Middle School students in grades 6 through 8. This energetic, meaningful music ministry will challenge students in their musical gifts through voice and movement to impact the Kingdom of God. Resound will have the opportunity to participate in leading worship as well as various outreach and performance events. It is our hope that students will experience what it means to be servant leaders and to reach the world around them with the good news of Jesus Christ!
Youth Sports
Youth Sports
We're about the WIN. For us, the WIN is being a WITNESS for Jesus Christ to the community, INTEGRATING people into the SMCC family and NOURISHING the quality of our programs and leaders.
SPARC Youth Rec Basketball is a developmental basketball league designed to teach young athletes the fundamentals of basketball through practice and organized games. This league is open to boys and girls in grades K-8 of any skill level. From beginner to advanced, we are a rec league open to all stages of development. Kids will not be turned away because of their skill.
To place players on teams, there will be a player draft following evaluations. The player evaluation is November 4th. All registered players, except for K-2nd grade, will participate in an organized practice for evaluation. It is not a tryout, as all registered players will be drafted to a team. Players unable to attend the evaluation or late registrations will be placed on a team at the directors discretion.
Player Evaluation Day on Nov. 4th in the Ryan Athletic Center:
Grades 3-4 — 10:15am-11:00am
Grades 5-8 — 11:15am-12:00pm
Different teams will practice either Monday, Tuesday or Thursday for one hour between 4pm-8pm depending on the coach and team. Starting the first week of December, teams will be able to practice once a week on the outdoor courts (Don Palmer courts) on the campus of SMCC. Games are scheduled for Saturdays between 8am-3pm starting in January. The season will include playoffs for grades 3-8 and will conclude by the first weekend in March. Each division will play at different times on Saturday mornings. The games will be played in the Ryan Athletic Center (RAC) on the campus of SMCC. A complete game schedule will be available prior to the start of the season.
The SPARC Youth Rec Basketball costs $125, which covers referee, jersey, admin and equipment fees.
All grades are now full. Click the button above to add your child to the waitlist.
SPARC Club Basketball is designed as a developmental program for kids looking to compete beyond rec level basketball. For kids looking to improve in all aspects of their basketball ability and face tougher competition outside of the SPARC rec league, the club opportunity at Shadow Mountain is a great fit! Kids will grow in their understanding of offensive and defensive concepts, learn systems and plays as well as have the opportunity to compete against other club teams around San Diego County. This league is for boys ages 12-17; 6th grade thru 12th grade. We are open to all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, as we work each towards a competitive AAU club program. There are two possibilities for team placement. The first will be by age and secondly, if they are able to compete at a high level, they could be moved up to an older team.
Registration opens in Spring 2024!
The SPARC Ministry at SMCC is excited to offer Youth Soccer again this summer! The program this season will consist of 4 sessions and is designed to introduce kids to the joy of soccer and develop their skills in a fun and encouraging environment. Each young athlete will learn the fundamentals of soccer through individual skill drills and organized team play. This league is open to boys and girls from ages 3-12 of any skill level.
Registration opens in Spring 2024!
Youth Soccer
June 24-27 2024 (Mon-Thurs; 9-10am)
Soccer program designed to introduce kids to the joy of soccer & develop their skills in a fun & encouraging environment. For boys and girls ages 3-12.
Registration opens in Spring 2024!
Youth Basketball Camp
July 8-11 2024 (Mon-Thurs 9am-1pm; Lunch included) Cost $150
Join Shadow Mountain Sports & Christian High Basketball coaches for a 4 day camp that includes skill development and live games for boys & girls ages 5-14.
Registration opens in Spring 2024!
Power Sports Camp
July 29-Aug 1 2024 (Mon-Thurs; 9am-1pm; Lunch included) Cost $125
Join us for a 4 day multi-sport camp (Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, Football, Soccer, and more) for boys & girls ages 5-12.
Registration opens in Spring 2024!
Click here to view the 2024 Spring Calendar.
We Celebrate Our Parents
We only have a couple hours a week with your student to connect, affirm, and influence them toward a rich personal life with Jesus. You do life with them 24/7. As a parent of a preteen/teenager, breaking new ground in uncharted territory is your daily life. Right?
We are here to support you, pray for you, and back you up! This is what we call “community” and it is an honor to be there for you.
A Look Into The Middle School Years:
(Excerpts taken from The Phase Project, parentcue.org & leadsmall.org)
Sixth Graders… the phase when there’s never enough pizza, too many hormones, and a dramatic kid who needs someone to prove “Who Cares?” Middle school is a crisis. No longer a child, sixth graders arrive in a new social context just in time for their bodies to outgrow their coordination, for hormones to kick in and for their brains to become a tangle of new synapses. Every Sixth grader wants to know, “Who do I like?”
YOUR ROLE IS TO AFFIRM THEIR PERSONAL JOURNEY
Seventh Graders… the phase when nothing you do is cool, what they feel right now matter most, and one suddenly social kid wants to know, “Who’s going?” Seventh graders are in a season of personal discovery. Interests and abilities change. Not everyone makes the team. Long accepted values can come into question. On top of all that, this phase is a time of heightened self-awareness. Every Seventh grader wants to know, “Who am I?”
YOUR ROLE IS TO AFFIRM THEIR PERSONAL JOURNEY
Eighth Graders… the phase when it’s cool to have choices, it’s not cool to answer questions, and one smart kid will remind you, “Yeah…I know.” Eighth graders have an emerging sense of control. They are increasingly able to self-regulate their actions, emotions, and activities. But this creates a new tension for teenagers to resolve. Every eighth grader wants to know, “Who do I want to be?”
YOUR ROLE IS TO AFFIRM THEIR PERSONAL JOURNEY
theparentcue.org — Blogs, podcasts, and resources to help you be the parent you want to be.
focusonthefamily.com — Resources for the whole family.
axis.org — Navigating teen culture.
