YOU BELONG + YOU ARE LOVED + YOU HAVE PURPOSE
Student Ministries at The Ridge exists to walk alongside middle and high school students as they discover who they are in Christ and learn to follow Him in everyday life.
Our heart is to create a space where students are known, valued, and invited in—where they can belong before they believe, ask honest questions, and grow in a real, personal relationship with Jesus. We’re not just focused on information, but transformation—helping students take ownership of their faith in a way that shapes how they live, love, and lead.
We believe faith becomes real when students begin to recognize God’s activity in their lives and choose to join Him in it. As that happens, we see students grow in confidence, develop a deep love for others, and live with purpose in their schools, homes, and communities.
This ministry is built on relationships—leaders who show up, invest deeply, and walk through every season with students and their families. Together, we’re creating a culture that is rooted in truth, full of grace, and bold enough to engage the real questions students are asking.
If you have any questions, call or text 360-513-4713.
Amber
Director of Student Ministries
amber@ridgefieldnazarene.org
Grades 7-12
Connecting to God and Living to our full potential
The Ridge Student Ministries
You Belong. You Are Loved. You Have Purpose.
Middle and high school can feel complicated. Every student needs a place where they can be themselves, build real friendships, ask honest questions, and be surrounded by people who genuinely care.
The Ridge is a safe, Christ-centered community for students in grades 7–12. We gather every Sunday from 6–8 PM for worship, teaching, small groups, games, food, and plenty of time to connect.
Students don’t have to have everything figured out before they come. They’ll meet relational leaders who want them to feel seen, known, and valued while helping them discover what it looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life.
Whether a student is new to faith, has grown up in church, or is simply looking for a place to belong, there is a place for them here.
Come as you are—and bring a friend!
Youth Group
Sundays | 6–8 PM
Grades 7–12
Questions? Email amber@ridgenaz.org or call/text 360-552-7794.
SUNDAYS
On Sunday mornings, students are encouraged to worship alongside their families and the wider church and to serve using the gifts God has given them. On Sunday evenings, they gather with other students and trusted leaders to build relationships, explore Scripture, and talk honestly about what it looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life.
Our hope is that each student develops a resilient faith that continues far beyond their years in Student Ministries.
Between services, students are invited to grab a donut and chat in-between services at 10:15 AM. If you see a new teen face in service, invite them in, too! Meeting in the donut room is a quick way to say hi and connect about the day and how you’re doing. We want every person in youth ministry to know they have a place to belong and that they matter.
Interested in serving with worship at The Ridge?
Worship is more than being on a stage—it's using the gifts God has given you to help others encounter and respond to Jesus.
Whether you're interested in singing, playing an instrument, serving with AV/tech or media, or simply learning more, fill out our Worship Team Interest Form. We'd love to connect with you and help you find a place to serve!
You Belong. You Are Loved. You Have Purpose.
Throughout the year we love to support what you're involved in. What activities are you doing? Are you playing a sport (basketball, wrestling, cheer), in band, choir or a play? Send us your schedule! Every Monday we post the weeks event on social media for the church family to come out and support. We'd love to include you! Submit your schedules via email or text to Maria at 812-569-4670 or swingerkeep@hotmail.com.
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WHAT GRADES QUALIFY AS YOUTH?
Youth @ the Ridge are students in 7th-12th grade.
WHAT IS YOUTH GATHERING?
Youth Group is a Sunday night gathering for all students 7th-12th grade. Youth group is designed to be an engaging atmosphere, a compelling time of worship and teaching, and a space for students to bring friends. While Youth Group typically happens on Sunday evenings at Ridgefield Nazarene, occasionally we will meet at a different location with other Youth Groups from around the area.
WHY DON’T WE HAVE YOUTH ON SUNDAY MORNINGS?
We believe in intentional discipleship and helping students take ownership of their faith. Our desire is for them to worship alongside their families and church body and serve the church with the gifts God has given them on Sunday mornings. We believe this is the best way to help prepare students to follow Jesus as adults.
DO YOU HAVE ANY WAYS FOR STUDENTS TO CONNECT ON SUNDAY MORNINGS?
Yes. Between services, students are invited to grab a donut and chat in-between services at 10:15 AM. If you see a new teen face in service, invite them in, too! Meeting in the donut room is a quick way to say hi and connect about the day and how you’re doing. We want every person in youth ministry to know they have a place to belong and that they matter.
HOW CAN I SERVE IN YOUTH?
We are so grateful you would take the time to consider serving in our student ministries. We believe our students are better with more trusted adults surrounding them who point them to Jesus! Contact amber@ridgefieldnazarene.org for more information and to begin the process of serving in youth ministry.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE FOR YOUTH TO SERVE?
Youth can serve in a number of ways including in our RidgeKids and RidgeKids Jr ministry, The Ridge worship and creative team, Compassion360, hospitality, and our care ministry.
FCA
Fellowship of Christian Athletes is sponsoring Mid-Week Huddles at the schools. Ridgefield High School meets on Thursdays during 1st and 2nd lunch in Mr. Biel’s room (Rm 305). La Center High School meets on Wednesdays at 8:45 am. Woodland High School meets on Tuesdays during lunch. Woodland Middle School meets on Wednesdays from 7:30 am - 8:30 am at the Presbyterian Church basement.
During the school year.
Each week, Middle & High School students gather together in a authentic, family atmosphere. Students can expect a laid back experience where we worship, meet in small groups, play games, and discuss life. This is a safe place for honest conversation and questions about faith as we explore what it looks like to follow Jesus as a student and deal with life's ups and downs.
Our goal for the 2026/2027 school year is for God to be the main focus in all that we do. From the decisions we make to the connections we establish, and anything in between. Join us as we focus on what it means to love Jesus with our heads, hearts, and hands this year.
Bring your friends and join the family at The Ridge!!
Questions? Contact Amber at
THE RIDGE WINTER MARKET IS COMING!
5th Annual Winter Market — WE NEED YOU!
We're gearing up for YEAR FIVE of our Winter Market, and we want our students + families to be part of making it happen!
This event is an incredible opportunity for students to raise funds toward future mission trips—including NYC 2029!
There are SO many ways to jump in:
Set-up + tear-down
Run the hot chocolate bar
Help with The Ridge Market Booth
Sell raffle tickets
Welcome guests
Help our vendors
Jump into all the behind-the-scenes details!
WE ALSO NEED YOUR CREATIVITY!
We're looking for fun, creative, marketable products our students can make or sell at The Ridge booth. We have a baker that would help us make specialty baked goods but we need a cottage license. Have an idea or a skill you could help our students? We want to hear it!
NEW THIS YEAR: Winter Market RIDGE RESALE SHOP!
We're collecting like-new, current/trending clothing for men and women to stock our Resale Shop. Have some great pieces you're ready to part with? Drop your specialty selections off in Amber's office.
There is A LOT that goes into making Winter Market happen—and that's why we need our whole Ridge family to jump in!
Let's make YEAR FIVE our best Winter Market yet!
Sign up HERE!
SEE YOU AT THE POLE | SEPTEMBER 23
On Wednesday, September 23, students across our community and around the world will gather at their school flagpoles for See You at the Pole—a student-led time of prayer.
Before the school day begins, students will come together to pray for their friends, families, teachers, schools, community, and nation.
Ridge Students—we want to encourage you to show up, pray together, and be part of what God is doing on your campus.
Times vary by school. We'll update our website as local gathering times are confirmed.
* Woodland
*LaCenter - 8:45 am
*Ridgefield
You Belong. You Are Loved. You Have Purpose.
For more details and resources for See You at the Pole, visit: syatp.com
PARENT RESOURCES
Our teens experience a lot in their lives today. Anxiety. Depression. Identity. Dating. No matter how much we prepare for these conversations, we can all use a little more support. One of our goals at The Ridge is to partner with parents as they navigate their students' challenges. Below are some great topical resources to help you navigate walking alongside your student.
423 Communities are men, women, and young people recovering from the impact of unhealthy sexual choices and addictions. We are radically committed to helping others overcome all forms of unhealthy sexuality, restoring healthy sexuality and intimacy with others through, confessional, recovery communities.
Our goal is not to solely end bad sexual behavior, but to lead others towards a right-centered understanding of themselves, providing for not only sobriety from unhealthy sexual behaviors, but movement towards the abundant life that is available to us.
Inside safe, gender-specific groups in local communities, men, women, and young people can honestly embark on the journey of self-discovery, and find healing from the destructive grip of broken sexuality in a safe, shame-free, and supportive environment.
Since the inception of our recovery program in 2009, thousands of people have experienced progressive sexual restoration and healing by joining a 423 community.
Teenagers are tired of vague, superficial, or nonexistent answers to their tough questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity. Just when they’re capable of diving into the deep end of their faith, all too often the church keeps them splashing around in shallow waters. As eight years of Sticky Faith research has shown, it’s not doubt or hard questions that are toxic to faith. It’s silence.
The trusted voice of the Fuller Youth Institute and proven best practices from churches around the country converge to provide you with tools both to start conversations about hard questions, as well as to lead students toward discovering their own faith convictions.
Designed for use in small groups alongside the Can I Ask That Student Guide, these eight sessions tackle the following tough questions:
What is the Bible, anyway?
Why does the Bible contradict itself?
Can I be a Christian and believe in evolution?
Does God discriminate against women?
Is Jesus really the only way to God?
What does the Bible say about being gay?
Does God endorse violence?
How can I follow a God who would let Christians do such bad things?
We want to partner with you as we navigate this season; if you have any questions or concerns or want to get involved, please contact amber@ridgenaz.org
Teenagers and young adults already have a lot on their minds, with the pressures of keeping up grades, navigating their future, and keeping their social life intact. Anxiety can make life even more difficult.
They need to discover that anxiety doesn’t have to own or define them and that they can move beyond the spiral of anxiety. If you are a teenager or young adult looking for help to manage your anxiety (or you know someone who is), and you're discouraged by dismissive answers like, "you should just pray more and worry less," this book is for you.
In Beyond the Spiral, Will Hutcherson and Dr. Chinwé Williams (authors of Seen: Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teenagers and the Power of Connection) will help you discover six lies that can keep us spiraling in anxiety:
I am not safe.
I should just ignore it.
It's all in my head.
I have no control.
I'm going to miss out.
I can do it alone.
Beyond the Spiral seamlessly combines both faith and psychology to give a teen or young adult everything they need to stop believing the lies of anxiety and to thrive instead of just surviving life.
A two-hour read to build a stronger relationship with a kid or teenager.
Whether you're a parent, youth leader, teacher, or caring adult, not knowing how to help those dealing with difficult emotions can leave you feeling intimidated, powerless, and discouraged. It can feel scary.
But we want you to know there is hope.
In this book, Will and Dr. Chinwé will help you...
Understand how the brain works when someone is in despair
Learn why some of the things you'd think would help sometimes make matters worse
Discover simple yet powerful tools you can use every day to connect with a kid or teenager to help them heal
A beautiful convergence of faith and psychology, Seen is a quick read that uses both clinical research and real life stories to give you--and the kids you love--hope.
Serve With The Ridge
Former teen or parent of a teen? Join us at The Ridge! Dive into our vibrant community, where serving is fulfilling and fun. We believe in the power of guiding students toward Jesus with trusted adult mentors. Reach out to amber@ridgenaz.org to learn more.
Sign up HERE to be a part of the team. Or you can call/text us at 360.552.7794
Schedule
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendars for:
September 6 - No Youth Group
September 19 - Shoulder Ministry Serve Day
September 23 - See You At The Pole
Amber
Director of Student Ministries
(360) 513-4713
amber@ridgenaz.org
My name is Amber. My family began attending this church when I was seven years old, and it is a gift to now be raising my own family here. My husband, Jason, and I live in La Center with our five kids—Erika, Noah, Esther, Gideon, and Simon—on our little homestead.
My background includes serving families as a doula, educator, and midwife’s assistant. Caring for people and walking alongside them has always come naturally to me, and those experiences continue to shape the way I serve today. I also stay connected with students in our community through FCA and coaching high school volleyball. As a family, we love sports, the beach, camping, movies, chasing sunsets, and simply being together.
I serve as the Director of Student Ministries, where I have the privilege of leading an incredible team and walking closely with students and their families. For me, ministry is about doing life together—creating a safe place for students to ask honest questions, grow in their faith, and discover how Jesus is working in and through their lives.
We do not shy away from difficult conversations. We want students to know they can bring their real lives and real questions while being met with truth, grace, compassion, and people who genuinely care about them.
The strong sense of family and community that shaped me in this church continues to shape our ministry today. My hope is that every student who walks through our doors knows this:
You Belong. You Are Loved. You Have Purpose.
