Our Youth Ministries
Middle School Grades 6–8
High School Grades 9–12
Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church youth ministries lead middle school and high school students to leave lasting good impressions upon the world while following a trail blazed by Christ. Youth ministries plans all activities to support each step of the way as students walk their journeys of faith, referring to the Bible, always seeking the face of and growing closer to God and strengthening their relationships to their peers.
About Our Director of Youth Ministries
Although raised in Southern California, John Joseph was born in Cairo, Egypt and now enjoys the ability to speak Arabic fluently. John majored in philosophy and theology at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and earned his baccalaureate degree in 2002. He served as the Interim Director of Youth Ministries at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in 2003 until he began studies toward his Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Theological Seminary. In 2006, our Pastor David united John and his wife, Kimberlee, in marriage on the church campus. And in January 2009, John returned to the campus, this time to fill a permanent position as Director of Youth Ministries.
Read John's Blog»
About our Youth Ministries Administrative Assistant
Coronado has been in Christina’s sights since she stood on the shores of Point Loma, her childhood home town. After 1989 graduation from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, Christina married Mike Rodriguez and embarked upon a 21-year itinerary charted by Mike’s career in the United States Marine Corps. Frequent military relocation has rewarded Christina with a wide variety of church-family, employment, and cultural experiences. Before settling in Coronado in 2008, the Rodriguez family called Lima, Peru their home. During the two years prior to accepting her position at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church, Christina was the first civilian family-readiness officer (FRO) for the MWHS-3 (Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron), which provides administrative and supply support for the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. As the mother of four teenagers, Christina has had ample opportunities to perfect the skills required of her newest role as the organizer of constantly evolving events for middle-school and high-school students participating in Big-5 and Crosswalk youth groups.
Big Five. MIddle School Students
The Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church youth ministry mission is to share the good news of Jesus and to teach Coronado youth to follow Christ and share Christian faith with others. Vibrant and growing, our Big Five youth group offers middle school students an ever-evolving event schedule that keeps pace with the quick-change interests of its members.
Big Five also offers leadership opportunities to qualified high school juniors and seniors. These junior staff positions require an application and training to prepare the leaders for helping to share the love of Christ with members of Big Five.
| Schedule | T 5:00–6:45pm Sep–May T 5:00–6:15pm Jun–Aug |
|---|---|
| Location | Center for Christian Education, Youth Room 949 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to youth in the community middle high school grades 6–8, ages 11–14 |
| Activities | fellowship, prayer, and entry-level biblical study |
| Group Size | averages around 30 |
| Refreshments | Sep–May, dinner in Parish Hall Jun–Aug, snack |
| Cost | no admission fee |
| Contact | |
Crosswalk . Senior High School Students
"Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" Luke 9:23 (NIV)
Attempting to follow the words of Luke, Crosswalk harnesses the high energy level of high school students to power growing relationships with Jesus Christ in safe and friendly environments where students feel free to connect with their friends, influence their peers positively, serve the community, and experience the reward of personal ministry.
| Schedule | T 7:00–8:30pm Jan–Dec |
|---|---|
| Location | Center for Christian Education, Youth Room 949 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to youth in the community high school grades 9–12, ages 14–18 |
| Activities | community service, contests, games, prayer, Scripture lessons, worship bands |
| Group Size | averages around 30 |
| Refreshments | snack |
| Contact | |
Sunday AM . Middle and Senior High School Students
A comfortable environment that our students themselves help to arrange, Sunday AM offers both middle school and high school students a collective co-ed opportunity to hang out, build friendships, support one another, worship their own way with their own music, and grow stronger in their faith. Attitude and dress casual.
At 10:00am, members often visit Coffee Connection to pick up a light snack before attending the 10:30am blended worship service in the sanctuary with adult family members.
| Schedule | Su 9:00–10:00am Jan–Dec |
|---|---|
| Location | Center for Christian Education, Youth Room 949 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to youth in the community grades 6–12, ages 11–18 |
| Purpose | fellowship, entry-level Bible study prayer, and musical worship |
| Format | youth-director delivered sermon fellowship among youth Youth Band performance group songs of praise |
| Group Size | averages about 40 |
| Cost | free-will offering |
| Contact | |
Ladle Fellowship . Middle High and Senior High School Students
Ladle Fellowship of First Presbyterian Church is a Christ-centered soup kitchen that has helped the homeless and poor in downtown San Diego since 1983. This ministry shares the love and truth of Jesus in meaningful and personal ways as volunteers listen to, talk with, and pray for their less-fortunate neighbors.
Every Sunday afternoon, Ladle Fellowship serves up gospel music, a Bible message, and hot, nutritious meals to about 250 needy San Diegans. Recipients who also require change of clothing and hygiene items find them here.
One Sunday afternoon, six times a year, members of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Big Five and Crosswalk youth groups join forces for four hours to practice Christian outreach by serving meals at Ladle Fellowship. Parents who carpool youth to the soup kitchen often donate time, too.
| Schedule | third Su monthly 12:00–4:30pm Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov |
|---|---|
| Destination | Ladle Fellowship First Presbyterian Church of San Diego 320 Date Street, San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Car Pool from | Kirk House 959 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to youth in the community grades 6–12, ages 11–18 |
| Activities | fellowship, personal ministry help serve free meals to San Diego urban poor |
| Group Size | varies |
| Contact | |
T.R.A.S.H. — Teens Relaxing At Someone's House
Senior High School Students
Members of Crosswalk, our high school youth group, invented T.R.A.S.H. in September 2009 in order to bring students together for thanksgiving and community prayer in the comfort of home settings. Church families volunteer to share responsibility for hosting T.R.A.S.H get-togethers scheduled the second Tuesday of each month, providing a fresh collective experience among students and hosts at every meeting.
| Schedule | third T 7:00–8:30pm Sep–May |
|---|---|
| Location | host residences in Coronado |
| Invitation | open to members of Crosswalk and their guests grades 9–12, ages 14–18 |
| Activities | varies depending upon the host |
| Group Size | averages around 30 |
| Refreshments | snack |
| Cost | no admission fee |
| Contact | |
Lock-In
One for MIddle School Students
One for Senior High School Students
Shortly after the fall school season begins, the Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church youth ministry holds two of the most anticipated campus events of the year: co-ed lock-ins. Middle school students meet on one weekend, high school students meet on another.
Supervised by Christian adults, students exercise freedom within the secure confines of the Center for Christian Education. A central theme runs through the all-night campus activities in which all the students participate. The fun includes laser tag, swimming, broomball, and grazing on an endless assortment of snacks. Most students choose to remain wide awake all night Friday and then sleep in on Saturday after returning home.
| Schedule | F 9:00pm through Sa 7:30am once in the autumn each year |
|---|---|
| Location | Center for Christian Education, Youth Room 949 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Middle School | open to youth in the community grades 7–8, ages 11–14 |
| High School | open to youth in the community grades 9–12, ages 14–18 |
| Purpose | fully chaperoned overnight co-ed fellowship |
| Activities | themed team contests, games, prayer, small-group discussions, music |
| Group Size | averages around 30 |
| Refreshments | late-night snacks and light breakfast |
| Cost | $30 per person |
| What to Bring | sleeping bag and pillow |
| Contact | |
Confirmation Classes . Middle School and High School Students
Confirmation is an opportunity for students to discover and come to terms with their own commitment of faith and personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Classes navigate the contours of the Reformed Protestant tradition, following the adopted creeds as a guide to help students to
• clarify what they have learned and experienced about faith
• reinforce understanding of creation, redemption, salvation, sanctification, and sin
• develop the metanarrative of God’s Word
| Schedule | spring semester annually, typically 7:00–8:15pm |
|---|---|
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Center for Christian Education 949 C Avenue, Coronado, CA Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open youth in the community, grades 6–12 |
| Purpose | clarify commitment to faith reinforce understanding of essential Christian terms develop the metanarrative of God's Word |
| Cost | no admission fee |
| Contact |
Email Christina Rodriguez» (619) 435-6860 x 24 |
Internship . High School Students
The Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church youth ministries internship program helps high school seniors discern their call to ministry. Interns assist in planning, organizing, and preparing middle school student programs, building relationships with students, and encouraging spiritual growth through the study of Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and service.
Internship requirements include having a solid personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a passion for working with teenagers, a desire for sharing the Gospel with others, and ability to organize information and manage multiple tasks.
Qualified interns receive compensation for serving 30 hours per week. And if needed, campus housing and transportation are possible, too.
The intern qualification process includes submission of an application and recommendation letters. The church offers two summer internships and one school-season internship, September through May each year.
Downloadable Internship Description PDF»Downloadable Internship Application PDF»
Downloadable Internship Recommendation PDF»