At St. Luke’s, we believe in an intentional faith map for kids birth through college-aged. Our STEPS Curriculum and programming are designed to move our students through age-appropriate lessons. Here’s a quick outline.

5th-6th Grade – Foundations: We rotate through the Old & New Testament to provide a meta-narrative of the Bible to our preteens.

7th Grade – Confirmation: We talk about where our faith comes from and give students a chance to make a profession of faith in God and membership at St. Luke’s.

8th Grade – Spiritual Gifts: Students respond to their vow of membership by learning about the unique gifts they have to give to the church and beyond.

9th-10th Grade – Spiritual Practices: We talk about key spiritual practices to help students personalize their faith in a real way.

11th-12th Grade – Spiritual Roots: Students are invited to participate in workshops that help prepare them for college and beyond.

Yes. As one of the few open, inclusive, affirming churches in Indianapolis, your student will be met with love and acceptance no matter how they identify. Jesus calls us to love and respect, and we will model that to every single individual who walks through our doors. We respect every student’s pronouns, have both gendered and non-gendered group options, etc. We even have an LGTBQ+ High School Small Group! 

St. Luke’s is committed to working with families to ensure individuals of all ability levels feel supported and encouraged to grow in their faith. We have a buddy program for trained volunteers to partner with children who may benefit from extra support on Sunday mornings. We also have a dedicated special needs classroom at 9:30 in the Lodge at the North Campus for students who may need additional supports. Last, we have a small group for families raising children with special needs that meets monthly. Reach out to Crystal Hensley if you are interested in more information about the small group, receiving support for your child, or volunteering as a buddy!

Safe Sanctuaries is a required certification to work directly with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. This consists of a full screening process, including a Federal Background Check, Training, & supervision by staff. You may view our policy by clicking here. If you’d like to get certified, please contact Heather Kenison, Director of Student Ministries.

We offer plenty of opportunities to pay for retreats, mission trips, & activities by offering fundraising that puts money into Fundraising Accounts. These Fundraising Accounts bank through graduation and can be used any time to pay for any activity through our Student Ministry. There are two key fundraising opportunities in October & January. Contact Samantha Isaacs for more information or to check the balance of your Fundraising Account. 

Before heading off to an overnight event here at St. Luke’s UMC, it’s important for everyone to feel both mentally and emotionally ready for the experience. The following checklist highlights key attributes that a student should demonstrate (more often than not) to ensure they’re ready. By developing these qualities beforehand, students can make the most of their time away and have a positive, meaningful experience. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Director of Youth Ministry.