Helping our students know and follow Jesus.
We exist to help foster the spiritual formation of the 7th-12th grade students at First Presbyterian Nashville and support families in the discipleship of their children. We seek to be Christ-centered in all we say and do, helping students grow in their relationship with the Triune God, connect through life-giving community and intergenerational friendships, and cultivate a heart for service and mission to see God’s kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven.
8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. | Worship | Sanctuary
Each Sunday we gather for corporate worship at either our early or late services. Join us!
9:45 a.m. | Sunday School | The Gathering Place
Each week we welcome our 7th-12th graders for Sunday School. This time includes a time of fellowship, announcements, and games before each grade breaks off into grade-based classes led by adult volunteers. During the summer months and select weeks we gather as one large group for study and discussion. It’s a great on-ramp to life at First Presbyterian’s youth ministry.
Breakout Rooms
12th Grade: The Gathering Lounge
11th Grade: EC 102
10th Grade: EC 101
9th Grade: L–205
8th Grade: L–204
7th Grade: The Gathering Place
Wednesdays (Sept. 4-Nov. 20; Jan. 8-April 23)
Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. | Jr High (7th-8th) & Sr High (9th-12th) D-Groups | The Gathering Place
Being a disciple is simply being a follower of Jesus, and in these Wednesday evening gatherings, we aim to help students learn to love and enjoy following Jesus more deeply. Each evening D-Group (short for “Discipleship Group”) involves a time of fellowship, announcements, group games, a short lesson, and time in grade- and gender-based groups to discuss the lesson further and pray for one another. These gatherings are informal and great places for students develop rooted friendship among peers and go deeper in understanding the gospel of God’s grace.
A longstanding tradition at FPC Nashville, each year we pair our students with an adult prayer partner who commits to praying for them throughout their time in the ministry. We gather each fall for Prayer Partners to connect with one another, eat yummy food, and share requests with one another.
Referencing Hebrews 12:1, COWs (Cloud of Witnesses) are adults at First Pres who commit to caring and cheering on our youth weekly in their faith throughout their time in the ministry. At our kickoff event, 7th graders meet their COWs while 8th graders reconnect with theirs as we cast a vision for the program, give students (Calfs) and adults (COWs) time to get to know one another, and play and pray together.
We believe that youth are integral to our congregation, and we seek to involve them in leadership roles during worship as a continual reminder of the essential impact they offer the body of Christ. We invite your youth to participate in worship leadership roles through the following ways:
Middle School Fall Retreat (NaCoMe)
October 26-27, 2024 (Current 7th–8th grades)
High School Winter Retreat (Barefoot Republic)
February 14-16, 2025 (Current 9th–12th grades)
High School Spring Break Mission Trip (Reynosa, Mexico)
March 8–14, 2025 (Current 9th–12th grades)
High School Mission Trip (St. Louis, MO.)
May 31–June 7 (Rising 9th–12th grades)
Middle School Summer Camp (Panama City Beach, FL.)
June 23–27 (Rising 7th–8th grades)
COSTS AND PAYMENT
All mission trips have a nonrefundable registration fee of $150. That means that you are not signed up until you pay this deposit. If you sign up less than 60 days before a trip leaves, we cannot guarantee current trip prices, and your cost will reflect any difference in travel expenses. These trips are discounted by $200 each if you sign up and pay in full before December 1.
MISSION GRANTS
Out of FPC’s generous and passionate commitment to our youth ministry, our church has supported the Youth Mission Fund. The YMF awards grants to students who are actively pursuing a deeper understanding of who God is and who God is calling them to be in Christ. Grants are awarded to applicants who have exhibited a hunger for spiritual growth as well as a desire to serve in the mission of Christ’s church. Contact youth@fpcnashville.org to have a mission grant application sent to you.
ALL STUDENTS
Church League Basketball | Saturdays, December–February
Join us for this year’s youth basketball league for grades 7th through 12th. Youth who play for their school team may not play on the church league team.
Mission Trip Stuff & Mail Lunch | January 26, 2025 | Courtenay Hall
FPC generously prays for and financially supports our youth mission program. Registered students, leaders, and staff gather to prepare and address letters to the congregation, asking them for their support. We ask that all students who are attending or have attended a mission trip help at the event.
SEVENTH GRADERS
Students & Parents Sunday School Class (Technology) | Sundays, September 15, 22, 29, October 6 | The Gathering Place
At the age of 15, young people typically get their learner’s permit. If 16-year-olds pass the driver’s test, they get a restricted license. They get more driving privileges until they officially become an adult driver at 18. But when it comes to technology, we do none of this. The Follow Me Class seeks to help families (youth and adults) rethink and be more intentional in their use of technology. It is our hope that participants in this class will learn spiritual practices to use technology to testify to their faith and foster communion, rather than getting sucked into comparison.
NINTH GRADERS
Students & Parents Sunday School Class (Topic TBD) | Sundays, November 10, 17, 24 | The Gathering Place
Join us for a three-week class for eleventh graders and their parents as we study, fellowship, and grow in community with God and one another.
ELEVENTH GRADERS
Students & Parents Sunday School Class (Topic TBD) | Sundays, January 5, 12, 26 | The Gathering Place
Join us for a three-week class for eleventh graders and their parents as we study, fellowship, and grow in community with God and one another.
TWELFTH GRADERS
Senior Youth Sunday Planning Luncheons with Gage | Sundays, November 10, January 5, March 2 | 12:00 p.m. | The Gathering Place
Gage will meet with this class to begin plans for Youth Sunday (May 4, 2025). This first organizational meeting will take place for lunch after the 11:00 a.m. service. Your youth won’t want to miss this time to talk through the theme and to get a great understanding of the different parts of the worship service that these seniors will lead.
Senior Blessing Service | Sunday, April 27, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. | Sullivan Garden
The Senior Blessing Service is a celebration for our graduating seniors and their parents. We do not gather to highlight what the seniors have accomplished—but rather to celebrate who God has called and is calling them to be. It is an FPC tradition that you won’t want to miss!
Youth Sunday | Sunday, May 4, 2025
On Youth Sunday, seniors will lead the congregation in worship through liturgy, song, prayer, and reflection. It also marks the Sunday we pass the baton, welcoming our new rising 7th graders into the youth ministry just as we send out our graduating seniors during the Sunday School hour. It’s one of our favorite services of the year!
Director of Youth Programming
Gage serves as the Director of Youth Programming at FPC. Gage can help answer questions about any part of the ministry to children from 12 years old until high school graduation, including questions (for children or with their grown-ups) about the faith, the church, worship service resources, any ministry-wide or church-wide major event, or the spiritual nature of youth.
Assistant Youth Director
Evan Benbow serves as an Assistant Youth Director, providing day-to-day leadership and support for the FPC Youth Ministry, working with young adults, youth, parents, staff, and volunteers.
Youth Program Coordinator
Ginger is responsible for handling the day-to-day operations and administrative function of the FPC Youth Ministry, working with young adults, youth, parents, staff, and volunteers.
4815 Franklin Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37220 Map