Welcome!
Student Life exists to lead students to experience the life-changing love of Jesus. We desire to provide a faith community of students who learn, grow, worship, and serve together and challenge them to become a generation of fearless followers of Jesus living in a way that leads others to Him.
We meet on Sundays from 4:30-6pm during the school year to create an environment where students can connect with peers and adult leaders in both large and small group settings. We are intentional in helping students know Jesus through worship, age-appropriate teaching, fun games, small groups, and other experiences.
We are happy to accommodate teens with disabilities. Simply contact Heather at hvance@firstdecatur.org or text (217) 747-8392.
Our Core Values
GOD'S WORD
The Bible is relevant & relatable. We teach the Bible in an age-appropriate way so students can understand what they believe, why they believe it, and have a faith that will endure even in difficult times. We want students to have the skills and discipline to take responsibility for their own spiritual growth.
IDENTITY
We want students to know they are created in the image of God, saved by God’s grace, and defined by who God says we are . . . we are so loved by Him and He wants a relationship with us.
PARTNER WITH FAMILIES
Each student’s family has the greatest influence on their student’s faith journey. We communicate with families, give them resources, and encourage them to make faith a priority in their daily rhythms.
SMALL GROUPS
We want students to develop friendships that challenge them to go deeper in their relationship with Jesus and provide encouragement in their faith journey. We have dedicated adult small group leaders who invest in the lives of our students, communicating with them, and are a part of their lives outside of Student Life.
ON MISSION
We want to prepare our students to change the world for Jesus. We want students to be influencers, leaders, and world-changers. We give them weekly opportunities to serve in the life of our church, while challenging them to faithfully attend and serve in a church consistently throughout their entire life.
FUN
We will laugh loud and often. We recognize that fun over time equals connection and this helps to build relationships among our students and our leaders.
Connect with us!
Text our family ministry number at (217) 747-8392 to say "hi" or for any questions you may have. To get automatically signed up for text updates, use the keyword SLPARENT or SLTEEN.
Sign up for our weekly Student Life news via email.
Upcoming Events
We have an exciting 2024-2025 school year lined up for you! Sign up for our Student Life newsletter for details regarding each event.
- August 11 — Student Life Kickoff, 4:30-6pm
- August 18 — Back to School Bash, 12pm at FCC
- September 1 — No Student Life
- September 15 — Student Life Families Lunch, 12:30pm at FCC
- September 25 — See You at the Pole, 7am at school flag poles
- September 25 — See You at the Party, 6-8pm at D1Naz
- October 11 — Middle School Bonfire 6:30-8:30pm at the Vance's
- October 12 — Rader Family Farms Corn Maze, 4:30-9:30pm
- October 13 — Student Life Clue Night, 4:30-6pm at FCC
- October 18 — High School Bonfire 8-10pm at FCC
- November 6, 13, 20, 27 — Junior/Senior Bible Study
- November 10 — Parents Night in Student Life, 4:30-6pm
- November 16 — Bowling at Spare Time Lanes, 6-8pm
- December 1 — No Student Life-Thanksgiving
- December 29 — No Student Life-Christmas
- January 5 — No Student Life-New Year's
- January 12 — Student Life Kickoff, 4:30-6pm
- January 26 — Student Life Glow Night, 4:30-6pm at FCC
- January 31 — High School Event
- February 7 — Middle School Event
- February 9 — No Student Life
- February 21 — High School Event
- February 28-March 2 — Student Life Winter Retreat (Little Galilee)
- March 2 — No Student Life
- March 5, 12, 19, 26 — Junior/Senior Bible Study
- arch 23 — Parents Night in Student Life, 4:30-6pm
- April 20 — No Student Life-Easter
- April 26 — Student Life Mission Trip Fundraiser Dinner
- May 4 — Last night of regular Student Life programming
- May 17 — Student Life Mission Trip Fundraiser Car Wash
- June 16-20, 2024 — Student Life Mission Trip (Tentative)
Questions?
We'd love to hear from you!
JOHN BILLNER
High School Minister
jbillner@firstdecatur.org
HEATHER VANCE
Pastor of Family Ministries
hvance@firstdecatur.org