Being a young adult can be trying at the best of times. Between school, friends, teachers, and parents, there has to be an outlet for those frustrations. If you feel as if you are missing something or are interested in having a faith based belief system, maybe you should find a church service near you. Many youth to college age kids use religion as a means of support and social life during these rough patches. If you are looking for a higher form of support, going to a youth group or bible study with others of the same age may be a helpful experience. It may be difficult to find just the right church that fits your needs considering all the great churches in town, but there are many great options in Bloomington-Normal that will make you feel welcome and meet your religious needs.
There are many great options for youths, young adult, and college age services just below.
Calvary United Methodist Church
- Calvary has a lot to offer the average teen to help them get through a hard part in their life. Youth services focus on life problems like peer pressure, work issues, and relationships with family and God. They have youth groups specifically for guys and girls of certain ages, so the youth can be comfortable discussing stuff that peers can also be going through in the safety of their group. There are snacks, music, and games for everyone! Who doesn't like food?
- Specifically, there is only one junior high youth group but there are three high school youth groups. All are hosted on Wednesday nights. Wild at Heart (guys only), Girls of Grace (freshman/sophomore girls), and Beloved (junior/senior girls).
- Community service options are available for those who feel the desire to go out and make Bloomington-Normal a better place. They have volunteers at the food bank, Red Cross, and yearly mission trips that are a blast. Location for the mission trip differs due to need and finances.
Location: 1700 N Towanda Ave Normal, IL 61761 phone: (309) 452 5413
Baptist Churches
Baptists believe in Jesus Christ and spreading the word of the Bible and His birth.
College Avenue Baptist Youth Services:
http://www.cabc-normal.org/#!vstc4=growth-groups/vstc0=activities-plus
Bloomington Baptist Youth Services:
http://bloomingtonbaptistchurch.net/kingskids.html
Calvary Baptist Youth Services:
http://cbcnormal.org/ministries/next-generation/calvary-kids/
First Baptist Church Of Bloomington Youth Services:
http://www.fbcblm.org/index.php/ministries/young-adult-ministry
Immanuel Baptist Church Youth Services:
http://www.immanuelhomepage.org/Services.html
Bible Baptist Church Nursery, Children's Services and Youth Services:
http://biblebaptistchurchbloomington.org/ministries/nursery/
http://biblebaptistchurchbloomington.org/ministries/children/
http://biblebaptistchurchbloomington.org/ministries/youth/
Tri-Valley Baptist Church Youth Services:
http://trivalleybaptistchurch.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=27
Apostolic Churches
What they believe: http://bnapostolicchristian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid=320
Apostolic Christian Church Of Bloomington-Normal Youth Services:
http://bnapostolicchristian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74&Itemid=118
- This church believes "the sooner the better" when it comes to being involved in the church. One of the services they offer is Kids Church which starts at age 3 to age 11. They meet Sundays and Wednesday nights and also have a Vacation Bible Study one week every summer, as well as a Kids Choir and field trips to the Pumpkin Patch.
- The next age group up is called Remix. This is ages 12-17 and wants those involved to become close with God. They meet Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings and have a Youth Camp every summer in Wapella, Il on the UPC campgrounds.
- The final age group for youths is called The Outlet and is ages 18-30. There are many events including The Outlet Trip, which is a one night site-seeing trip. There is also the Hyphen Retreat, which is a gathering of youths from around Illinois that participate is sessions about life issues and include sports activities as well as group building activities.
Apostolic Pentecostal Church Youth Services:
Methodist Churches
Values life as a Christian and acting on your faith and love in the community
Calvary United Methodist Church Youth Services:
www.connectwithcalvary.org/#/students
First United Methodist Church Youth Services:
Catholic Church
Values learning, loving, and serving God through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Saint Patrick Catholic Church of Merna Youth Services:
stpatrickmerna.org/LEARN/VacationBibleSchool.aspx
Lutheran Churches
Believes in Jesus Christ as our savior.
Saint Mark Lutheran Christian Church Youth Services:
Christian Churches
Cross Pointe Church of God
- This community-based church has an incredibly casual "come as you are" atmosphere. There is no need to dress up or worry about being judged at this church. The family environment and warmth of the people there make for a very comfortable experience. The Pastor Kevin Summers is a very kind person and a true believer in the word of Jesus Christ.
- The church participates in many charities throughout the year and have sites all over the world, including churches in Ghana, Japan, and Thailand.
- The children 3 years through fifth grade are grouped together. They attend the initial welcoming during Sunday church then are dismissed to their own group to learn in a kid friendly environment. They also meet on Wednesday nights. There are 3 groups, King's Kids for kids 3 to 2nd grade, Faithgirlz, for girls third through fifth grade, and Bible Boys, for boys third through fifth grade.
- The next age group up is called CPYG, or Cross Pointe Youth Group. They meet every Sunday between nine am to nine-fifty am. There is also a separate group that meets Wednesday nights for Junior High aged kids. This group is called CHAOS, or Christ Hungers Absolutely Obsessed Students. The High School ministry group also meets on Wednesday nights and is called Real, which stands for Real Relationships, Real Encouragement, Real Answers, Real Love.
