Youth Minisitry @ The Mill

“In youth we learn, in age we understand.”
- Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

The most rewarding thing about being the youth director at The Mill Church is seeing students run after God’s heart. Teaching the Bible Wednesday after Wednesday is delightful, but seeing them live for Jesus is even more rewarding! 

Starting as a volunteer with SHIFT in 2012, as a female counselor at Spencer Lake Camp, God began showing me the love He has for students, calling me into youth ministry in Summer 2014. I joined The Mill Church staff as Youth Director in February 2015. Since then SHIFT has grown leaps and bounds with an average Wednesday night attendance of 35-40 students! 

We kicked the summer off with a huge tie-dye, squirt gun party where the students were challenged not only to summer devotionals but also tried tug-of-war with panty hose over their heads! We laughed so hard that some people did have to change their underpants. :) Summer Camp was insane to say the least! I had the amazing privilege to serve as color team captain for the Red Team, where 49 of our students competed in different sports, Bible verse memorization, swimming, being blobbed :), and seeking God! 

SHIFT students participated in 2 service projects this last year as well. First, we took 10 students down to City on a Hill in Milwaukee, where they reached out to inner city kids and shared the love of Jesus through skits, games, and different Bible stories! We then had the opportunity to come back and serve our own community by raking leaves for 30+ homeowners with 34 students and 16 adult volunteers! The students saw the big difference they can make through a simple act of kindness! 

This new year I will continue to grow the SHIFT Team Lead as small groups will be starting this spring for our students! Our current leaders are amazing people who love your students and enjoy watching all that God is doing in their lives! SHIFT will also be starting "Citizens," a student leadership group, where students will learn how to lead and disciple fellow students, classmates, and their community! God has a ton in store for SHIFT and it has been an amazing blessing to be part of it! 

With Tons of Love, 

Nicole Barg