HPCSM
Highlands Presbyterian Church Student Ministry
Director of Student Ministry: Michael Hawkins
Student Ministry Assistant Coordinator: Gus Crotty
Student Ministry Assistant Coordinator: Corinne Parsons
Student weekly Activities
• Sundays Jr. and Sr. High Sunday school meet behind the church in the Student Ministry building at 10:30am (immediately following the worship service).
• Sunday evenings Small Groups: Dinner at 5:00 pm, fun activity at 5:30, Worship and Small Groups from 6:00-7:00. Pick up and drop off from the Fellowship Hall.
• Wednesdays Midweek at Highlands : Join us for food, fun, worship and Concise Theology by J.I. Packer. Dinner is served at 5:15pm in the Atrium. Gather in The U at 5:30, play games at 5:45, worship and teaching at 6:15. All activities end by 7:00pm.
End of the Year Events
Don’t miss the “Save the Date” for our 2026 Summer Retreat at RYM!
Small Groups
11/2 and 11/9 are our last two normal small groups of the semester
11/16 is our last small group for the semester. Like we have done in the past, the groups will go out for supper (5:00-6:30pm) with their small group leaders. All students will meet and leave from the restaurant chosen by the group.
Midweek
11/5 is our last Midweek. We will be having a time of fellowship and fun, including games, snacks, treats and more! There will also be a time of reflection for the students to express what they have learned and what they may have enjoyed so far this semester.
Feliz Navidodgeball
11/30 we will hold our annual Feliz Navidodgeball tournament from 5:00-7:00pm! This has always been a big hit (pun intended)! In addition to the tournament, we encourage ALL to dress up in their crazy Christmas sweaters, jammies, T-shirt etc. We will provide pizza for all, but please have your student(s) bring a Christmas dessert to share!
Highlands Family Christmas
12/7 is our annual, Church wide, Highlands Family Christmas! Hope to see you all there! (more details will be found in the bulletin, church wide emails, website and our NEW app!)
Sunday School
12/14 will be a time for students to bring breakfast food to share and enjoy a time of fellowship with one another!
12/21 and 12/28, like we have done in the past, we will not meet for Sunday School. There will be a time of fellowship for the whole church following the church service.
Save the Date:
RYM Laguna Beach Summer Retreat in Panama City, FL
Junior High – 6/22/26 to 6/26/26
Senior High – 7/3/26 to 7/7/26
Student Ministry Fall Retreat Oct. 18-19, 2025
On October 18–19, the Highlands Student Ministry guys spent the weekend at Timber Creek Camp in Pulaski, Mississippi. It was a fun and impactful time filled with games, laughter, and learning more about God.
There were two main sessions. The first talked about the Church and how important it is to have Christian friends and community. The second focused on prayer and how powerful it can be in our walk with God.
In between sessions, students had a blast playing football, disc golf, life-size foosball, pickleball, 9-square, basketball, pool, ping pong, and even capture the flag in the dark. Some went fishing from the shore or canoes, while others just enjoyed being out on the water.
It was a weekend full of fun, friendship, and growing together— a retreat to remember! See all the photos HERE
Junior High Encounter Retreat March 28-30, 2025
On March 28-30, Highlands Student Ministry's Junior High students attended the “Encounter” Retreat at Twin Lakes! This weekend event was sponsored by the Mississippi Valley Presbytery and had over 100 students in attendance from First Presbyterian, Lakeland Presbyterian, Providence Presbyterian, Redeemer Presbyterian, and Pear Orchard Presbyterian.
The speaker for the weekend was PCA Pastor Austin Lenox, who taught on “Habits of Grace.”
The weekend was a huge success, filled with opportunities for learning, bonding, enjoying delicious food, building friendships, and engaging in fun activities, including plenty of pickleball and basketball!
We are grateful for the leadership of Michael Hawkins and Gus Crotty, along with chaperones Cayla Virruet, Stephanie Day, and Aidan Duncan who helped take 15 junior high students from Highlands. Please continue to pray for our students, that God would continue to grow and guide them in powerful ways. View photos from their weekend HERE.
