Written by: Brian Katauskas in Ministries, Student Ministries on February 8, 2012

On February 1, we began a new iteration of IAMTHIRD (Northland at Longwood's high school gathering) and I cannot be more excited about where we are headed!

It's called IAMTHIRD Distributed. No doubt you've heard of Northland, A Church Distributed … well, this is Northland’s Student Ministry, Distributed. The gist: We are taking our student ministry OUT, into the community.

What does that look like? Well, our desire is that students would have the opportunity to be part of a community that is challenging and encouraging their relationship with Jesus Christ. In order to do that well, Wednesday nights are going to take on a new format. Beginning this Wednesday, smaller groups will begin to meet together in homes around Central Florida. These groups will eat, play games, worship, serve and discuss Scripture, TOGETHER.

Our hope is that these smaller groups will create an environment of belonging and growth for our students. That goal prompted us to be strategic in our vision for these groups. Each group has a host family — the family who has committed to opening up their home for the students. There is also a Teacher — the leader who facilities a Christ-centered discussion and application. Connectors are the leaders that plot and plan to ensure we all have some good, clean fun together! Shepherds are the leaders who specialize in pastoral care within the group. There is also an Administrator — the person who keeps up with communication amongst the group. Finally, there is a Worship Leader and a Service Leader — both ensuring that the group places emphasis on Worshipping God and or Serving Others around the community.

While we are placing an increased value in these smaller, more intimate gatherings going forward, we know there is still great value in gathering all our students together in one place to worship God. So, on the first Wednesday of every month, our students will gather at The Rink for IAMTHIRD (The Gathering) and worship God, together, as one ministry.

February 1 was our first large gathering and it marked the beginning of something good. Praise God.

On that note, I invite you to pray for our students and the groups they'll enter this week … and, if you're interested, come join our team and be part of what God's got planned!

For more information, visit our page at northlandchurch.net/highschool

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Being in community isn't just for our students! If you're looking for more Christ-centered conversation in your life, consider joining or forming a community group. (MORE INFO)