We recognize that all young people are an amazing gift and we encourage them to participate in all aspects of our worship service. Our goal is to help our young people learn to know and love God and to express their faith in real and meaningful ways.
EAC has several specific programs to meet the spiritual and educational needs of the young people in our community.
For middle school and high school students we offer:
- Ample Opportunities for Participation in our Worship Service (e.g. reading scripture, offering special music)
- Bible Study
Held from 6:00 p.m – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings on Zoom, our intergenerational Bible study focuses on issues of Christian discipleship and basic Biblical literacy. - Youth Sundays
At least once per year we hold a special worship service where all aspects of the service are planned and led by our children and youth. These Youth Sunday services often include special music by our youth, special elements like poetry or dance, and a sermon preached by one of our current college or high school students. - Classes leading to Baptism
We provide a class each year led by the pastoral team covering the basics of Christian Faith and Discipleship and providing an introduction to the Bible. At the conclusion of this class, teens and youth can determine if they are interested in pursuing baptism.
For the youngest children among us we offer:
- A fully staffed nursery for children 0-6 years old.
- A weeklong Vacation Bible School program each summer for kids ages infant to 14 that focuses on learning Bible Stories as well as having recreation, arts and crafts, and a chance to work on a service project. This Bible School is free of charge and usually runs from 9 am to 1 pm each day.
- Special events such as an Intergenerational Christmas Play (kids often have speaking and non-speaking roles in this EAC tradition), an Egg Hunt following our Easter Service, and a special Halloween celebration (our church building is located right in the midst of one the most popular trick-or-treating areas in Chicago).
- Several Sundays per month a member of the pastoral team will provide an interactive ‘children’s sermon’ for all of the younger kids during the worship service.