WE NEED YOU! JOIN OUR TEAM!
Changing the world happens one teen at a time. Teens do not connect to programs; they connect to people. The most effective way to influence teens is through relationships. Our goal is to develop disciples who will accompany teens in their journey to Christ.
Core team members are the heart and soul of the student ministry experience. Core team members facilitate small group discussions and activities during Edge Nights and Life Teen Nights small groups. This may include helping out with planning the individual nights, leading the group in prayer, praying with teens, giving witness/catechetical talks to the large group, and assisting on retreats.
"The core team back when I was younger had served and led me through my faith journey when I was an 8th grader, and they had a great impact on me. So I've wanted to serve for the community that once served me and to help anyone at youth group wanting to get closer with their relationship with God." - Benny
"Being part of the CORE team for me has been a wonderful experience since the beginning. The mission of our youth group is: “To bring teens closer to Christ”. I still remember my first night volunteering at youth group, the talk was about saints and it was a board full of pictures of many Saints, and I didn’t know any of them! I felt that God was sending me to help with the youth as a way for me to start in my own relationship with him and to be a witness of His love to all of our teens and people around me." - Laura
“I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter how much or little you know about church teaching, the teens will always appreciate you simply because you are present and willing to be vulnerable with them. As a mentor, we don’t always have the answers, but we can listen and continually strive to learn our faith as a community. Being part of CORE at St. Bernard’s has given me the tools to strive deeper in my own faith while being able to walk with teens in their journey. You are never alone!” - Brenda
"The Church is a community of disciples “led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the kingdom of the Father.” (Gaudium et Spes)We are accompanying our teens in their journey but also as a family of disciples we support each other young and oldWe are NOT volunteers but we are mentors, where our core team share their journey (experiences, highs and lows) through personal testimony" - Raul
"To be a part of our St. Bernard’s Youth Ministry is a privilege. I joined at the invite of Letty, and was hesitant but willing. I began showing up for my son, when I asked him to give it a try. Being in this ministry is daunting and challenging, but it is loving and caring and being there for each other. The teens have such love and energy (even if it is hidden sometimes), that you cannot help but feel enveloped in their presence. I am in this ministry because of my love for our Lord and want to share it with the teens, as well as I enjoy their willingness to share. Constantly growing together, even through the generational gaps." - Maria Esther
"St. Bernard's youth group has been important to me and a great influence on my relationship with God since I can remember. I learned about it through my parents as they were leaders and took me to youth group with them. But as I continued to attend, I was encouraged to see my faith as my own instead of just for my parents. I was able to experience God's love and that is what I want to share with the teens. I hope I can be a witness to them of what God has done in my life and what He can do in theirs as well." - Clare