It’s  a typical Wednesday night at Hill Country Northpoint’s weekly youth group: walking into the Forest Oaks clubhouse, footballs fly overhead. Inside, Guitar Hero is set up on the projector and people converse and eat, as food is laid out across tables. There are nearly 50 teenagers in attendance –up from a single member just a few months earlier. The recreation time comes to a close, and the service begins with singing and Bible study.

 Student leaders helped transform the youth group into a larger, but still tight-knit group, in part due to the amount of students that go to Vista Ridge. In the days leading up to the youth group’s first meeting at their current venue, these student leaders were determined to get as many people to attend as they could.

“[The student leaders] really got the word out about Northpoint, and it sparked a lot of interest,” new Northpoint member, sophomore Dalton Darrow said.           

Northpoint’s youth group meets every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Forest Oaks clubhouse. The night generally starts with mingling and food, followed by singing, a short sermon, and a small, intense discussion group.

“The small groups really personalize things, and makes it seem like everyone is obligated to contribute,” Darrow said.

Because the church is relatively small, members agree that it is very much a comfortable family-like environment, where teens can open up and speak what’s on their minds. 

“Everyone knows everyone, and it’s a really laid-back environment,” student leader and sophomore Emily Hees said.

There is also time for games and Guitar Hero on the projector screen, and time where students can talk, eat and just enjoy each others’ company. A worship band is currently in the works, and live music will soon be a part of the night.

 Even weeks after the growth explosion, new members still come every week, giving the student leaders plenty of work to do.

“I get to meet with people and mentor them, lead small groups, and work in the kids’ community church,” Hees said.

The full church meets on Sundays at 10:45 at Parkside Elementary.  Primarily made up of younger adults, the environment is very appropriate for teens, as it’s often easy to relate to fellow members. 

“The most rewarding part has been being able to help people change and grow closer to God,” Hees said.