We have an active teen ministry at Parkwood. These kids are into everything! Whether it's getting creative with plastic wrap, hanging out with the local authorities, shopping for necessities, having a dance party or doing a parody of our favorite musical we're having a good time together!

On a serious note, we believe that student ministry not only means ministry to students but ministry by students. Therefore we strive to serve God through serving others. We have a monthly outreach called P.I.G.S. (People In God's Service). Our activities vary from teaching inner-city youth to doing yard work.Once a year, we take part in the 30 Hour Famine which addresses the needs of world hunger. This is achieved by finding people to sponsor us for the 30 hours we go without food. During those 30 hours we do a canned food drive to benefit the needy within our community and even have some fun torturing our sponsors.

For students that want something more we offer Discipleship Groups. These same-sex groups meet once a week with an adult in a discipling or mentoring relationship. The goal of discipleship groups is that we would become better disciples and grow up in all things. (Ephesians 4:14-16)

Each year we have a blowout youth activity called Fall Kickoff. It is our way of expending any energy that we may have left over from the summer and get ready for a great new year. In the past couple of years we have had belly bumping contests, worked off energy with jousting matches, done team competition over an inflatable obstacle course and did the infamous horizontal bunji run. We even had sumo wrestling to add a little culture to the experience!

Of course we do the traditional stuff too, but then again, even that is done in a non-traditional manner at times. Take for instance our Christmas program - talk about animals! Vacation Bible School has been an adventure for the past several years. The year before last we recreated a portion of Jerusalem in the year 29 A.D. as a way of bringing the Biblical times alive. All who participated were well fed. Last year was even more awesome, unfortunately, the whale ate the camera so we don't have any pictures available. It is rummored that he may 'caugh' them up at a later date. If so, you'll see them here first.

You know, they say pictures are worth a thousand words - but there is no substitute for seeing what is happening with the Parkwood Uth first hand.