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
Youth Group Sundays 6-8 pm
Youth Group is where it all comes to life.
Each week, 7th–12th grade students gather in a laid-back, high-energy, and relational environment. A typical night includes games, worship, teaching, and small groups—but more than that, it’s a place to connect, be known, and have real conversations about life and faith.
We create space for students to show up as they are, build genuine friendships, and engage in meaningful discussions about what it looks like to follow Jesus in the middle of real life. Whether it’s celebrating the highs or walking through the hard stuff, no one does it alone here.
You can expect leaders who care, a community that feels like family, and an environment where you’re invited to grow at your own pace.
Bring your friends and come be part of it.
There’s a place for you here.
Questions? Contact Amber at ajlangeliers@hotmail.com.
For questions contact amber@ridgenaz.org or call/text 360.552.7794
SUNDAY EVENINGS
We believe in intentional discipleship and helping students take ownership of their faith. We desire 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.
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.
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.
SUMMER KICKOFF ☀️💦
Youth group is shifting into summer mode—and it's about to get fun.
Think water games, more time outside, and space to just hang, laugh, and be together.
This week is extra special—we're welcoming our incoming 7th graders! We can't wait to bring them into the family and show them what makes this place what it is… a community shaped by Jesus.
Bring your friends and come be part of it.
Sunday, June 7 | 6-8 PM
You Belong - You are Loved - You have Purpose
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.
Join us in celebrating our graduates with a parking lot drive-through parade from 6-6:30 pm. Graduates will be ready to greet you as you drive through to honor them with candy, gifts, or heartfelt congratulations.
Stick around and enjoy a sweet treat with us from 6:30-7 pm.
Let's make this a special and memorable evening for our seniors! We can't wait to see you there!
List of Seniors who will be participating in the Parking lot.
Caleb Carver
Abigail Edwards
Jack Gangi
Carson Garlington
Teegan Moore
Kelan Murray
Lincoln Olson
Colton Plyler
Rhys Simmons
Lincoln Swift
Shaylee Thayer
The Ridge Students | Summer of Stories 🔥 (Young Adult Edition)
We're kicking off Summer of Stories—and you won't want to miss it.
This summer, you'll hear real stories from young adults in our church—honest, powerful moments of how God has shown up, led them, and stayed faithful through every season.
Come hang, bring your friends, and be part of a summer full of connection, fun, and meaningful conversations as we figure out what it looks like to follow Jesus together.
Sundays, June 14 - August 30 | 6-8 PM
You Belong - You are Loved - You have Purpose
Questions? Contact Amber at
Experience the ultimate adventure this summer at our age-specific Summer Camps! Dive into a world of faith, friendship, and fun as we embark on a journey of discovery and growth. Our camps offer a safe and nurturing environment where students can explore their faith, build lasting relationships, and create unforgettable memories. From exciting outdoor activities to inspiring worship sessions and meaningful Bible studies, every moment is designed to inspire and empower young hearts. See below for age-specific camp information.
Kids Camp: July 31-August 3
High School Camp: August 7-11
Middle School Camp: August 11-15
For more information and to register for camp, click HERE to be directed to our camp page.
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:
May 17 - 3rd week of Hot Takes
May 24 - No YG
May 31 - Senior Sunday
June 7 - Summer Kickoff
June 14 - Summer of Stories
June 21 - No YG (Father’s Day)
June 28 - Summer of Stories
June 30 - July 8 NYC
July 5 - No YG
July 12 - Summer of Stories
July 19 - Kalama Waterfront
July 26 - Summer of Stories
August 2 - Summer of Stories
August 7-11 - High School Camp
August 9 - No YG (High School Camp)
August 11-15 - Middle School Camp
August 16 - Summer of Stories
August 23 - Summer of Stories
August 30 - Glow Foam
Amber
Director of Student Ministries
(360) 513-4713
amber@ridgenaz.org
My name is Amber. My family and I started attending this church when I was seven years old, and it’s a gift to now be raising our family here as well. I’ve been married to Jason since 1999, and we live in La Center. We have five kids—Erika, Noah, Esther, Gideon, and Simon. Erika, Noah, and Esther are now adults, and we home-school our younger teens on our little homestead.
Before stepping into ministry, I spent many years as a doula, educator, and midwife’s assistant. I still love coming alongside families whenever I can. I support our local schooled FCA and am a Volleyball coach at the High School. As a family, we love adventure—sports, the beach, camping, movies, sunsets, and just being together.
I’ve been serving as the Student Ministries Director since 2022, and it’s a role I truly love. I have the privilege of leading an incredible team of leaders while walking closely with our students and their families. Ministry for us is about doing life together—creating space for students to ask real questions, engage their faith honestly, and discover how Jesus is at work in and through them.
We care deeply about building a culture that is both bold and rooted—one that doesn’t shy away from hard conversations, but leans into them with truth, grace, and purpose. There is so much joy in walking with students through each season and watching their faith grow.
Our ministry is shaped by the strong sense of family and community that has always been part of this church. We want every student who walks through our doors to know this: You are loved. You belong. You have purpose.
