Gayton Student LIFE

Gayton Student Life is the youth ministry of Gayton Baptist Church for students in grades 6-12. 

The vision is to lead students to experience LIFE in Jesus Christ through:

Discipleship: in worship, prayer, and Bible study 

Community:              in friendship, fun, and support

Action​:                       in leadership, outreach, and serving others

For more information, email Rev. Jennifer Mullins, Youth & Young Adult Pastor, at jennifer@gayton.church.

DNOW 2025: GRAVITATE!

"Are you moving toward God or drifting away from Him? We can easily gravitate toward the things of this world or we can dig deep and strive to gravitate toward Jesus and center our hearts, desires and lives on Him. During this weekend, we are going to look at our own nature, be reminded of God's grace and focus on the importance of moving toward God and following Jesus daily!"

For WHO?  

All students in 6th-12th grade! Students may invite friends and all deadlines and details apply to all!

WHAT is DNOW?

DNOW stands for DISCIPLE NOW.  

It is an in-house retreat for youth with:

- small group Bible studies - who meet and stay in host homes divided by gender/age.

- large group worship gatherings at Gayton Baptist with a guest praise band, special prayer times and biblical messages

- meals and community- building fun activities and games at both the church and host homes

- a "Kindness Scavenger Hunt"

WHEN is DNOW?

Friday, January 24-Sunday, January 26

Everything kicks off at 6:00pm on that Friday with check-in and dinner!

And everything ends on Sunday, when the students return to church by 8:45am to prepare to lead us all in worship for our annual YOUTH SUNDAY at 10:00am followed by a fellowship!

WHERE is DNOW?

Most of DNOW takes place on the campus of Gayton Baptist Church, 13501 North Gayton Rd in Richmond (short pump area).

The host homes are close to the church. (All the hosts and adult volunteers are Gayton Baptist members and have had background checks.) Students will go to the host homes in the evenings for small group Bible study and staying overnight, and during a break for dinner on that Saturday.  Also on Saturday afternoon, students will participate in a "Kindness Scavenger Hunt" doing acts of kindness in the community surrounding our church.

WHY DNOW?

Because is an awesome youth event that strikes a balance of deep discipleship and fun community-building - that the students truly love! It is an opportunity for students to grow closer to Christ and to one another in a safe, fun and warm environment - not far from home.

HOW to sign-up?

- Fill out the registration form provided.

- Fill out the medical release form and code of conduct agreement. Every student - new and old - needs to bring this for this in-house retreat.

- Cost: $80 that can be paid at registration. This cost covers programming, supplies, meals, Bible study book/journal and t-shirt - for 2 night retreat.

- Invite other students! This event is a great entry point for new students to feel welcome and get plugged in! This event helps older students prepare for the big life changes they are facing in the next 1-2 years, and it helps younger students become engaged with our youth group and ignites their young faith and leadership! It is a great event for all! 

- Deadline to sign up - January 1, 2025! (Happy New Year!)

Gayton Student Ministry Updated Schedule

Weekly

Sunday, 10:00am: Morning Worship  (for all ages) 

Sunday, 11:00am: Youth Brunch Bible Study (Adult Bible studies also offered)

Sunday, 6:00-7:30pm Gayton Student LifeNight!

Games, Activities, Open Gym, Worship, Bible study, Fun!

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December:

Sun, Dec.1: NO LifeNight - enjoy Thanksgiving weekend!

Sun, Dec. 8: Christmas Caroling (Youth & Young Adults) - 5:00-7:15 pm

Dress for the weather! (Christmas colors - a bonus!) We will get in church vans and carol at the homes of church members - and come back for pizza and drinks. Arrive at 5 or a few minutes before. Leaving soon after. S’gonna be a fun time!

Sun, Dec. 15: Gayton’s Christmas Music Program - 3:30 & 6:30pm

Fri, Dec.  20: Christmas Party - Jen’s home - 6:00-8:15pm 

Sun, Dec. 22: NO LifeNight - because we had the party on Friday night. 😀

Tues, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Services - 4:00 & 5:30pm 

Sun, Dec. 29: NO LifeNight - Enjoy your holiday season!

January- May, 2025

Sun, January 5: LifeNights resume.  6:00-7:30 pm each Sunday evening.

Sun, January 12: LifeNight - 6:00-7:30 pm

Sun, January 19: LifeNight - 6:00-7:30 pm

Fri-Sun, Jan. 24-26: DNOW 2025 & Youth Sunday!  - “Gravitate” (James 4:8)

DNOW is an $80 in-house retreat: activities & worship times at church; lodging & Bible studies (by gender & age) in host homes. Fri at 6pm thru Youth-led Sunday morning worship -10:00am. 

NO LifeNIght on 26th.

Sun, Feb. 2: Special LifeNight: Youth & Young at Heart Fun  4:30-6:30pm 

Note time change.  This is a special night for our youth and senior adults to share in a great time together!

Sun, Feb. 9: Super Bowl Lunch out - No LifeNight. Wear any favorite jersey 

or team color. Bring money for lunch out. We will go to lunch in church vans - after Bible study.

Sun, Feb. 16: LifeNight - 6:00-7:30 pm

Sun, Feb. 23: LifeNight - 6:00-7:30 pm 

Sun, March 2: LifeNight - 6:00-7:30 pm

Sun, March 9: LifeNight - 6:00-7:30 pm

Sun, March 16: LifeNight - 6:00-7:30 pm

Sun, March 23: LifeNight - 6:00-7:30 pm

Sun, March 30: NO LifeNight

Sun, April 6: LifeNight - 6:00-7:30 pm

Sun, April 13: LifeNight - 6:00-7:30 pm

Sun, April 20: NO LifeNight - Happy Easter!

Sun. April 27: Creative Worship Night (Youth & young adult-led for whole church)

Sun, May 4: Amazing Race 2025 

Sun, May 11: NO LifeNIght - Happy Mother’s Day!

Sun, May 18: Youth outing TBD  (need volunteers to lead this)

Sun, May 25: NO LifeNight - Happy Memorial Day!

June/ July/ August:

Summer Tuesdays: “Lunch with Jen” Bible study - noon -her office /Theme: Psalms

June 1: Graduate Sunday -10am / Cook-out -5:30-7:30pm 

June 9-13: VBS

June 22-27: Youth Mission Trip

TBD: *Special Summer Events - summer schedule out in spring!

Aug/September: Aug. 29 or Sept. 5 -  Late night Friday Fifth Quarter

Theme for School Year:  “Know, Grow, Show & Go!”

October/November:  TBD - Fall activities

TBD - FALL RETREAT 

November 23: 4th Annual Friendsgiving

December: Seasonal programs and activities

January 2026: January 23-25 - DNOW 2026/ Theme: Comm-UNITY!

Volunteers are needed. We need more parent involvement for the strengthening of our youth ministry and we need more church involvement for more turnover and intergenerational connection. Please pss the word.

Volunteers help with our weekly GSM LifeNights, Bible studies, and upcoming special events. I will be creating a rotation schedule for adults who volunteer for the weekly gatherings and events- so that more folks can be involved and so that students can connect with more adults. Attached below to this email is the Adult Volunteer/Chaperone Policy. You can also find this on our website.  https://gayton.church/students

Below, you will see a link to a background check form and our code of conduct -- both required by any adult volunteer. Please read over these items as you pray about being a volunteer within our youth ministry.

2. Here is a sign-up genius link if you wish to be put on our Gayton Student Ministry volunteer list. You will see that there are three places you can sign up: LifeNights; Bible studies; and special events. Pray about signing up for one or more of those areas. The deadline to sign up is August 13. Please pray about this need. I will then schedule a zoom meeting for all the volunteers for the end of August.  

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48ABA722A6FBCF8-50520663-gayton

There is a new Facebook group for Gayton Student Life! If you have a student in 6th-12th grade; if you are a student in 6th-12th grade or if you are a church member/active participant who would like to volunteer, help, teach or chaperone, then you are invited/ encouraged to join this Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/449431423775806/?ref=share_group_link

The following forms - Medical Information/Release Form and Code of Conduct Form must be completed for students to participate in activities sponsored by Gayton Baptist Church.

Forms are valid for one year from date of submission.

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS

View our Sunday page to find out what to expect on Sunday morning

View The Glance - our weekly church-wide update

If you have further questions about our Gayton Students experience or visiting with Gayton Students, simply submit the form below and get in touch with us!