Student Connection

Why do youth join the Student Connection group in Aplington? It’s fun, and they get to learn about God, according to a recent poll.

It was 2001 when seven churches from Aplington, Parkersburg and Holland joined together under the guidance of T.

J. Hanken to form a non-denomination youth ministry that operates out of the old AMVET hall in Aplington. Today the ministry is going strong with approximately 30 sixth graders, 40 to 50 seventh and eighth graders and about a dozen high schoolers in its ranks.

Youth meet on Wednesday evenings to play games, snack, enjoy worship music and study the Bible. High schoolers meet on Sunday evenings for a lesson and to go to the gym or football field to practice sports and play games.

Although initially the group started as a place for church youth to fellowship, youth director Adam Dohrn said the group has evolved into an outreach ministry.

“Over half of the youth [at Student Connection] are unchurched or don’t go to any church. The community and churches view it as a mission organization more than a church youth group…” said Dohrn.“They come where they wouldn’t come to a regular church building.”

Read the full story in the February 14 edition.

Parkersburg Eclipse News-Review

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