Student Ministry

Our Vision

Our desire is to see every student experience and live out the LIFE they have in Christ! We aim for our students to have an intimate relationship with our creator, a consistent investment in one another's lives, a desire to practically live out the principles of God's word, and to play an active role in creating disciples. The ministry is grounded on 5 pillars: Discipleship, Evangelism, Service, Community, and Unity with the Church body. Students will find a welcoming atmosphere, relevant Biblical teaching, authentic small group environments, and a whole lot of fun! Come check us out!

Programs

Reach

This program aims to serve as an introduction into our ministry as we encourage our students to "Reach Out" to the greater Waco community. Reach is our main Wednesday night program that begins at 6:30 pm. Our students will experience worship, relevant biblically-based teaching, small groups separated by grade, and Christ-centered community and fellowship. Our hope is for students to be engaged with God's Word and to actively practice their faith by inviting their friends to come alongside them.

One:Three

This Sunday morning program is named after Psalm 1:3. This student bible study meets during the second service at 10:45 am and aims to focus on our students' Christian education. Students will increase in their biblical literacy as they begin to explore different books of the Bible in a more in-depth manner. Students will participate in a discussion-based curriculum that requires them to dig into the text in a way that involves critical thinking of underlying implications while applying it to their everyday personal lives. Students are divided by age group.

Rooted

Rooted is our main student discipleship program that meets off campus on different days of the week. Students will meet in small groups of their peers of the same gender where they "Grow Deep" with one another and are mentored by an older believer of their choosing. Students will experience vulnerability as they discuss their lives and walk in accountability with one another, pray with one another, and discuss a topic of their choosing that might include Christian living, apologetics, identity, or cultural issues of the day.

Schedule Curriculum Events Parent Resources Volunteer Staff

Schedule

Sunday:

9:00 AM - No programming. Worship with your parents or peers

10:45 AM - One:Three classes in the JrHi or HS room of the south foyer

Wednesday:

6:00 PM - Doors Open for Reach

6:30 PM - Reach Begins

8:00 PM - Reach Ends

*Rooted Groups meet on different days of the week in different places around town*

Curriculum

Events

Catalyst- This event serves as our annual Fall Retreat scheduled the first weekend of February. This year we will be going to Glen Rose, Texas and staying at Riverbend Camp and Retreat Center. Students will get to experience the gifts and talents of a guest speaker and worship leaders and will get to cut loose with the countless recreational activities Riverbend has to offer. They will also have the opportunity to do archery tag and the zipline. The early bird cost is $115 if signed up before December 15th. After that, the cost increases to $150. Partial scholarships are available. A $35 non-refundable deposit is due at registration. The link to register can be found here.

Student Life Camp- This year, students will be returning to Glorietta, New Mexico for Student Life Camp. Students will experience a guest band and speaker, ridiculously fun recreation, intentional small groups and all of the thrill and relaxation that Glorieta Adventure Camp has to offer. If you talk to anyone who went last year, this is for sure one of the highlights of the summer. Dates are July 6th-10th. Registration will be opening soon.

Mission Trip- More information on our annual mission trip will be coming up soon.

Parent Resources

Volunteer

Staff

Joel joined our staff in December of 2021 and serves as our Student Ministry Director. He was born in the swamps of Southeast Texas before moving to Las Vegas where he grew up. He has also briefly lived in Detroit, Michigan and Knoxville, Tennessee. His first introduction to Waco was during his time at Baylor University where he studied Political Science and Journalism. Prior to his time at Fellowship, Joel served as the Youth Program Assistant for Mission Waco, Mission World Inc., and as the Student Ministry Director and Young Adult Co-Director at Trinity Bible Church in Aledo, Texas.

In his free time, Joel enjoys shamelessly cheering on his Baylor Bears, anything involving the water, keeping up with international politics and economics, or shredding the nearest mountain on skis.

Little known fact: Joel served as the Student Body Vice President of Baylor University and has been invited to the West Wing of the White House on multiple occasions during his previous political career.

Aubrey Miller serves as our Student Ministry Associate. She comes from the small, coastal town of Rockport and is currently studying in the aviation program at TSTC. Aubrey started as a volunteer before she came to serve on staff with us.

Aubrey directly oversees social media, and service projects among a multitude of other things.

She loves flying and missions and is currently trying to discern how she can combine the two in order to advance the kingdom.

Cori Taylor is responsible for all things student worship. He is a recent graduate of McGregor High School and currently attends Baylor University where he studies Electrical and Computer Engineering. Cori is an Army BRAT so he has literally been everywhere. When not leading worship, Cori can be found playing instruments, going on runs (disgusting), and hanging out with his friends. He loves worship and it is a big part of his personal testimony and aims to empower students to become the worship leaders of tomorrow.

If you have any questions about Student Ministry, please contact Student Ministry Director Joel Polvado at: students@fellowshipwaco.org or call the church office.