Local teens explore Christian faith

The black T-shirt with the word, “Loser” on the front in bold white letters stands out against straight blond hair and a big smile. Black eye-liner and bright blue eye shadow fame small blue eyes. Various bracelets shift slightly on petite wrists as she talks.  Her jeans and shoes blend in with the rest of her peers around her, most of them laughing or talking over one another as they stand in a loose circle.  Lauren Ringwald, a 13-year-old seventh-grader who used to attend South Middle School but recently returned to home-schooling, is one of many students who regularly attend a youth group in Eau Claire. 

Lauren says she originally came to Valleybrook Church’s The Edge Youth Group two years ago to meet new people, but now she comes because she feels a sense of belonging.

“I like to hang out with my friends and like to learn more about God … I always feel good here and I never feel out of place,” Lauren said.  “Here – there’s not cliques and you can just hang out with everybody.” 

Valleybrook, a contemporary Baptist-affiliated church located on 412 S. Barstow St., has between 60-80 middle and high school students regularly attending its youth group program, according to program director Darrell Walters. 

Youth groups are becoming more than just the traditional Wednesday night “religious education” class.  These groups are also places to connect with peers and adults within their church while learning about  faith.  Some local teens are finding that it can also be a place to learn a great deal about themselves.

Though they may have different formats or quantities of people, both contemporary to more conventional youth groups still maintain the basic values that keep youth coming back for more.  

Spirituality and Youth

Youth groups are sprouting up all over the nation in an attempt to get young teens connected to their faith. 

Recent research from a Gallup Youth Survey shows that American teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 are spiritually hungry; nearly seven in 10 have been involved in a youth group before and more than 80 percent say they attend youth group because they want to learn more about faith.  One-third of the teens interviewed said that religion is the most important influence in their lives. 

It seems the more modern the era, the more 13-year-olds are faced with risky pressures and tough choices.  Studies suggest that the main concern for youth is their quest for identity and to be accepted by others.  As they search to find themselves in a world they don’t understand, a number of youth are making decisions that could have a huge impact on the rest of their lives. 

Recognizing this, some adults in Eau Claire are volunteering their time to explore new ways of reaching out to 13-year-olds in their community on a deeper level. 

Contemporary Youth Groups: Valleybrook Church

Lauren says that coming to youth group makes her feel special.

“When I come here I know that somebody cares about me.  Not many people my age get to learn about God, and I’m lucky I can … it makes you feel like you’re a unique person.”

  Lauren’s friend, Sarah Henderson, is an eighth-grader at South Middle School and shares Lauren’s love for The Edge.  Sarah said the more she comes to The Edge, the more comfortable she feels about who she is. 

“Religion is important to me because I have a belief, so if I can’t talk to my parents, I can talk to God,” Sarah said. 

Walters and Ernie Reppe, a former youth pastor and Edge leader, said that the goal of Valleybrook’s youth group is to have a non-threatening environment to explore who Jesus is. 

“My hope is for students to be able to feel that their faith is their own,” Reppe said.

One aspect that makes Valleybrook’s youth groups unique is that they try to have as many adult volunteers at the meetings as possible, to make sure that every student has a chance to ask questions to a member of their church.  This type of mentor relationship, Walters said, is important because some students may not have an adult they can talk to about different things at home.

Both men said that the 13 year olds they have interacted with all have many things in common.

“They want to be accepted and known, and to be heard,” Reppe said. 

Walters, who has been a youth group leader at Valleybrook for four years, agrees that the students are searching to belong somewhere and that they want to talk about real issues.  “They are sensitive and hungry for something bigger than themselves,” Walters said.

Brad Henderson, who has been a Valleybrook member for about five years, first encouraged his daughter Sarah and her younger sister to attend The Edge because that seemed to be the next step after Sunday school with many of her friends, he said. 

Henderson supports The Edge’s efforts by making connections with students.  “One-on-one (contact) is vital,” Henderson said.  “I can’t imagine (The Edge) being successful any other way.” 

On a typical night, the meeting begins at 6:30 with an upbeat song, and later students acted out a drama or a short video introduces the theme for the night.  Afterwards is the actual “message,” when one of the leaders talks about topics ranging from theological themes in “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” to characteristics of Jesus. 

Sarah says that worship is her favorite part of the meetings.

 “The words are meaningful,” Sarah said.  “You can whisper to yourself, sing softly or use your hands.”

During worship, the words of the songs are displayed on a big screen in the corner of the room, and group members perform contemporary Christian music on a stage.  After the music, sections of girls and guys break into smaller, quieter circles to talk about the message, how it can be applied to their lives and then express prayers among each other, Walters explained. 

It is during these small groups that adult leaders are especially needed.  It is a more personal experience for members of the youth group, and they are able to ask the leader questions ranging from the theme of the night to dating advice, Reppe said.

Some of these adult-student relationships are maintained for years and contact is made outside of youth group.   

Lisa Ringwald, Lauren’s mom, said that she is glad that Lauren is able to have a relationship with a Christian leader.

“The relationship with (her small group leader) has helped her a lot,” Ringwald said.

Ringwald also said that The Edge is Lauren’s favorite part of the week. 

“She would cry if she didn’t go,” Ringwald said, laughing.  

More conventional youth groups in Eau Claire also see positive experiences with their students.  Though they have fewer one-on-one contact between leaders and students, youth are still finding a sense of community and family.

Here is a link to the homepage of Valleybrook church's youth group The Edge.

Here is a link to the calendar of events for First Congressional Church of Christ's youth groups.

Photo By: Karey Leonard

Melissa Johnson helps middle school students make Christmas decorations for First Congressional Church of Christ, 310 Broadway St., at a Christ in Action! meeting.

Listen to audio clips from interviews in this story:

Lauren Ringwald

Lauren Ringwald

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