Youth MinistrY

at Palo Alto Vineyard Church

Our Youth Ministry serves 6th through 12th graders from across the Bay Area. During our 11am service, Youth meet in cohorts based on age groups for fun, bonding activities. Youth Group meets on Friday evenings, where all of the Youth can come together to relax, hang out with friends, and learn about God.
Youth from Palo Alto Vineyard Church praying together.

OUR FOUR CORE VALUES

Youth need healthy and welcoming spaces where they can explore their faith with caring adults who help create a safe environment for them to grow. PAVC youth ministry intentionally cultivates places like small groups, Youth Alpha and offsite retreats where youth can wrestle with life’s questions, build self-awareness and discover who God has created them to be. 

Not canned. Not fake. Authentic.

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” – Philippians 2:13

God created each young person with particular talents, skills, and passion – gifts that God wants to activate to build his kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.”

PAVC Youth Ministry cultivates ways for youth to grow as leaders–whether through our Youth Serving Kids program; Youth Alpha, led by high school students for high school students; fundraisers such as our recent middle school girls walkathon to help Ugandan children get to school; participation in intergenerational Sunday service teams (such as Hospitality, Tech or Worship); and service events and trips with our community partners both locally and internationally. 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24

Youth grow in confidence when they recognize they are personally known and loved. They grow in joy when they know the God who forgives their mistakes. They develop habits of kindness and care as they learn to know the Holy Spirit who seeks to partner with them to accomplish a meaningful purpose in their lives and in the world. 

Through conversations, bible study, small group discussion, and relational mentoring, youth come to know the God who loves them, forgives them and calls them forward into their destiny. 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Youth thrive when they have strong intergenerational relationships both within and outside their immediate family. We have over two dozen leaders who have been vetted and trained to provide support and mentorship to our youth, and to cultivate the healthy friendships that create a strong faith community.

PAVC Youth Ministry provides ways for youth to grow in relationship with one another and with caring adults. Our Youth Ministry Leaders are vetted to serve as role models, supporters and guides for our youth as the students navigate life and faith. 

Unstructured time of connecting is central to our ministry–whether playing Field Day games, at the Youth Cafe, or at retreats and off-site events. Additionally, community grows as youth and adults work together on teams–serving together in hospitality, tech support, kids ministry or compassionate service. 

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10

Youth on Sundays

Welcome to the Palo Alto Vineyard Church Youth Ministry! We offer age-appropriate programs that serve teens from 6th through 12th grade. All are welcome. Diversity is important to us! To learn how to participate, click the LEARN MORE button.

Learn More

Youth SERVING KIDS

YSK is for 7th-12th graders who want to grow their leadership skills and serve with PAVC Kids Church once a month throughout the school year (August 2025-June 2026) and during the summer. They meet monthly for leadership training, input on planning and to pray for the younger kids of our church. To learn how to participate, email Julie Young, at julieyoung@pavineyard.org.

Meet Our Youth Leaders

The Core Team

Ron Giles

Executive Pastor

Prescott Bliss

Youth Core Team

Shaina Bliss

Youth Core Team

Cyrus Chee

Youth Core Team

Andrew Lee

Youth Core Team

Youth Leaders

Arpenny Hart
Lauren Bagby
Joanne Irwin
Josiah Wong
June John
Hudson Shykowski
Clarisse Chung

Safety

Youth ministry thrives on healthy relationships between adults and teenagers. Our youth leaders and mentors strive to be the kind of adults with whom our youth discuss questions of faith and the challenges that face teens in a digitally connected world: bullying, sexting, dating, family challenges, difficult friendships, suicide, abuse, and more.

We also recognize that interactions between teenagers and adults hold the potential for abuse. We grieve the stories of adults who betrayed their positions of trust.

All PAVC Youth Ministry Leaders and Mentors go through extensive screening and training that includes livescan fingerprinting and a national background check, as well as both online and in-person education, in order to maintain a safe and life-giving environment for all the youth.

Questions?