YOUTH MInistries

GROWTH IN COMMUNITY

WHERE Children GROW IN CONNECTIONS & FAITH

Children that grow with faith tend to do better academically and socially in school, and later on in college. Now is the time to get your kids involved with St. Nicholas' numerous programs for our youth.

What is the goal of youth ministry at St. Nicholas?

Our goal is to integrate our young people into the life of the Church. Following the GOARCH mission, we focus on four key "circles" of Christian living: Worship (Liturgia), Fellowship (Koinonia), Service (Diakonia), and Witness (Martyria). We want our youth to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while forming lifelong bonds with their peers.

How is the youth program structured? To better serve the developmental and spiritual needs of our children, we have three distinct groups:

  • JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth): 2nd through 7th Grade
  • JR. GOYA (Junior GOYA): 5th through 7th Grade (a specialized subset of JOY)
  • GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America): 8th through 12th Grade
2nd to 7th Grade

JOY

What is the focus of JOY?

JOY is the foundation of our youth ministry. At this age, we focus on introducing children to the traditions of the Church through engaging activities, crafts, and social outings. It’s about making the church feel like a second home.

5th to 7th Grade

Jr. GOYA

Why did we break off JR. GOYA from the rest of JOY? We realized that a 7th grader and a 2nd grader have very different needs! By creating this specialized group, we can "attune" our ministry to the middle-school experience. JR. GOYA meetings are modeled after high school GOYA—including more structured discussions and leadership opportunities—but are kept separate to remain age-appropriate.

What kind of activities does JR. GOYA do? JR. GOYAns participate in monthly meetings, local service projects, and social outings like bowling or gym nights. It is designed to be a "training ground" for the full GOYA experience.

8th to 12th Grade

GOYA

What is GOYA? GOYA is the premier ministry for our teenagers. It is more than just a "social club"; it is a ministry where teens learn to live out their faith in a modern world.

What makes GOYA different from the younger groups? GOYA is largely led by the teens themselves under the guidance of our advisors and clergy. High schoolers can run for board positions, organize philanthropic events (like food drives or the St. Nicholas Festival), and represent our parish in Archdiocesan events like the Junior Olympics, volleyball, and basketball tournaments.

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