Steve Wise, the oldest "kid" on staff has continued his vow to never commit "adulthood" for almost 18 years at Westminster. He grew up in Columbia where he learned the fine art of being a "kid", moved to Mauldin in high school to play for the Mighty Mavericks - MOOOO!!!
After 4 years as a fierce fighting Terrier at WoffordCollege, he began work at Westminster as a Young Life Church Partner in 1988. The highlight of his four years there was his marriage to Becky Hadden (now Wise) in 1990. In 1992 they took a brief hiatus to the American Siberia in Princeton, New Jersey where he completed his Master of Divinity Degree and ordination process in the PC(USA). Steve and Becky returned in 1995 as an ordained pastor for youth and youth outreach. Two more kids have been added to the family, Joe Banks Wise (now 16) and Rebecca (now 13). He is also the proud "master" of Duke - a "good dawg."
Who We Are -
A group of staff, adult volunteer leaders, college leaders & even some high school students who involve and invest themselves in the lives of high school and middle school students. We are followers of Jesus who want to live out the love of Jesus with each other and our student-friends. If you would like to contact us directly you can reach...
What We Do - It all fits under the umbrella of WY-FI (Westminster Youth Fellowship Initiative)
We seek to follow the model of Jesus' ministry by going where our student friends before inviting them to come where we are. We hope to introduce them to Jesus, challenge them to follow Him, and walk with them along the way. Building friendships is of primary importance because we believe Jesus died & rose again to make us friends with God.
Our programs and activities are driven by our relationships - they are designed to present the Good News of God's Grace and to help us and our student friends grow in that grace. They include our outreach efforts of Young Life & Wyld Life; our discipleship components of WY-FI Sunday Mornings and Campaigner Bible Study Breakfast; and our service opportunities with the Soup Kitchen, Good Fellows, and Work Crews.
WY-FI Sunday Mornings
We gather with our middle school and high school friends in the Emory Road House at 105 Emory Road for food, fellowship, and bible study. Our 6th & 6th graders participate in "Quest" (our communicants class) downstairs while the 8th through 12th graders study different passages of Scripture related to the issues they face. We meet in a large group and then break up into gender specific small groiups for discussion. Our youth staff and several volunteer leeaders lead this time.
YOUNG LIFE Young Life is part of the way we fulfill the Great Commission in the high school community and with our own youth. A 50+ year, international ministry outreach, Young Life reaches out to high school students who are disinterested in the Church. Westminster employs this ministry as its vehicle for youth ministry in the church and community. Leaders go where "kids" are to "earn the right to be heard" by them. Young Life "club" meets Monday nights (during the school year) at the Emory Road House from 8:00-9:00pm for an hour of singing, fun, games, and a clear presentation of the good news of Jesus Christ. We also take a trip to Frontier Ranch in Colorado every summer and weekend retreat to Windy Gap, North Carolina in the fall.
WYLDLIFE Very appropriately named, this is Young Life for junior high students. WyldLife "club" is a "wyld" hour of games, skits, and off-the-wall humor with a relevant and clear communication of the gospel message. This happens every Wednesday night (during the school year) at the Emory Road House from 6:30-7:30pm. We venture on a weeklong trip to Southwind, a WyldLife camp in Oklawaha, Florida during the summer and a weekend at Windy Gap in North Carolina in the spring.
CAMPAIGNER BIBLE STUDY BREAKFAST
Wednesday mornings from 7:00am-7:40am in the Fellowship Hall. Good food, good fellowship, and good spiritual nourishment. This Bible Study is for our 9th-12th graders at a time that does not conflict with sports schedules and other activities.
Sunday February 19th - 6th & 7th Grade Quest Class -Church Joining Time at 9:30am in the Parlor.
Recognized during the Lay Renewal Worship Celebration - 10:00am.
If you are the parent of a 6th or 7th grader and have not received information regarding this or have any questions, please contact Steve Wise immediately.
