zao youth ministry
Zao is the Greek work meaning “I live.” Our youth ministry is all about living the abundant life that Jesus calls us to. Our mission is to help students live abundantly by being drawn and drawing others into Christ’s kingdom. We see abundant life as living the best life possible; living life the way we were meant to - loving God and loving others.
Our group is for students anywhere from 6th to 12th grade. We meet weekly for Bible study to pray and talk about the Bible, and we also meet regularly to have fun together and enjoy our community with movie nights, scavenger hunts, and even just hanging out and playing some games.
We strive to be a place where you can come and just be yourself. There is no need to pretend as if you are something you aren’t. Jesus loved messy people and living like Jesus starts by being honest about our need for Him.
If you are interested in visiting us, sign up at allsouls.com for the weekly youth newsletter, and you’ll get information about what is going on in Zao. We look forward to seeing you!
Weekly programs
Sunday School
Sundays 9.15a
On Sunday mornings at 9.15, we get together, share what's been going in the previous week, and learn about Christianity.
House Groups
Sundays 6.30p-8.30p
On Sunday nights, we meet in separate Jr. High and High school groups. The evenings are relaxed - some games, some discussion - a different topic every week.
Our Jr. High group meets in God's house (All Souls), and the High school group meets at the Gonzalez' house.
Bible Study
Wednesdays 6.00p-8.00p
On Wednesday nights, All Souls gets together as a whole church family at 6.00p and has a soup dinner together and worships together. Then, at 7.00, Zao splits off and has Bible studies for Jr. High and High school students. Our Bible studies are all about conversation - so that instead of sitting a listening, you (the student) get to be a art of the conversation as we open up God's Word together.
Other Events
"This is My Normal"
Friday, February 3rd
7:00p-8:30p
We're watching a documentary about Nairobi, Kenya, not too far from where David Mbogo, the child that we sponsor through Kenya Children's Fund, lives.
Dating and Sex
mini retreat
Feburary 24th, 6.30p-9.00p
February 25th, 10.00a-12.30p
We'll be meeting Friday night and Saturday morning (Feb 24 and 25) to learn and discuss dating, relationships and (gasp!) sex. Its a great chance to ask questions,
discuss, or just hear about what we believe
God's ideas are for your love life.
Download a permission slip here.
Mission Trip
June 17-23
For our mission trip this year we will be returning to Chicago to work again with the Jesus People USA.
For more information about the group, visit their website.
To sign up for the trip, fill out this form.
Organizations
Here are a couple of organizations that we think are pretty cool and are bringing abundant life to people around the world in tangible ways.
Jesus People USA - A community of Christians living in Chicago, trying to live out their faith in a really cool way.
Grand Rapids Area Service Project (GRASP) - A place we volunteered to help repair some houses in the Grand Rapids area
Kenya Children's Fund – we sponsor a little boy through this fund, helping to get him the education and food he needs.
TOMS Shoes - This is a cool place to get some shoes and at the same time provide shoes for someone who needs them.
Outreach Community Ministries – Our church partners with OCM to live out the love of God through what they say and what they do.
Feed My Starving Children - An organization that helps feed hungry children around the world. Sign up on their website to volunteer!
