Youth

East Main Youth Ministry

Grades 6–12

Our mission for youth group is to honor God by making disciples of Jesus through Showing Up, Growing Up, Stepping Up, and Reaching Out. We model this mission through our four youth programs, ranging from weekly to annual experiences. Scroll below to see descriptions of our ministry strategy and to contact our leaders.

The Session and Youth Director Search Team (Jeff Tedford, Heather Roth, Mike Jackson, Andy Bishop, Jeremy Brown and pastors Melissa Danielson and Bill Hoffman) are pleased to announce that Frank Matovu has accepted our offer to come to East Main as our Youth Director.  The group was especially impressed with Frank's passionate faith, thoughtfulness, and easy rapport with adults and teens. Frank has demonstrated effectiveness as a youth minister for four years in his home country of Uganda, and also as youth camp counselor for three summers in the US. Frank will be graduating with a Master of Divinity degree from Abilene Christian University in May and will move to Grove City shortly thereafter.  

Meet Our Youth Leaders

Middle School Girls

Middle School Girls

Kelly DeSue
email Kelly D.
Middle School Boys

Middle School Boys

Bryan Montgomery
Email Bryan M.
High School

High School

Bryan Gardner
Email Bryan G.

Middle School Small Group Schedule

Calendar

High School Small Group Schedule

CALENDAR

Summer Mission Trips

This summer our high school students will be partnering with Urban Promise in Wilmington, Delaware for the 2026 mission trip. Urban Promise is a respected and long-standing Christian organization providing summer camps for kids in urban settings. East Main students will assist with camps around Wilmington in the mornings, and then complete service projects in the afternoon. At the end of the week, students will enjoy an excursion to Knobel's Amusement Resort and a couple nights rest at a nearby retreat center.

Summer Mission Trip FAQs

High School FAQs

Online Registration Form

Register HERE!

Summer Mission Trip Medical Form

Medical Form

Summer Mission Trip Permission Form

Permission Form

Youth Pasta Dinner

All proceeds from this event will go to help fund the High School summer mission trip to Urban Promise in Wilmington, DE.

Gluten free pasta, meatballs, and no sauce options will be available; salad, bread, and dessert will be included!

Youth Ministry

Large Groups

Large Groups are our outreach and fellowship events. About once a month students participate in large theme nights that provide a fun space to get to know each other as well as an opportunity for new students to get a taste of the East Main environment. Students are encouraged to invite friends to these events.

Small Groups

Small Groups are our faith and relationship building curriculum. During the school year, students meet once a week to study Scripture and discuss the essentials of Christianity. This also includes our Sunday School program which meets at 10:45 AM in rm 201.

Service Projects

Service Projects are once-a-semester events. Students are given an opportunity to put their faith into action by helping the community through service projects such as: backyard cleanup, creating and delivering gift bags to more vulnerable populations, and supporting international ministries through the IJM Freedom Fast, etc. 

Mission Trips 

Mission Trips are once a year events typically occurring in the summer. This often week-long trip will have students visit an in-need area to serve and learn about what it means to live with a missional mindset. Mission trips are regional or local.