MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY

THANKFUL
NEXT.

You're getting ready. The questions are getting bigger and so is their faith. Thankful Next gives middle schoolers a space to wrestle with real questions, build real friendships, and discover who God is calling them to be. PLAN THEIR FIRST VISIT
IMAGE HERE
MORE THAN A YOUTH GROUP

This is where faith gets personal.

Middle school is when everything shifts — friendships, identity, confidence, doubt. Thankful Next meets students right in the middle of all of it with honest conversations, engaging teaching, and leaders who actually listen. This isn't Sunday school 2.0. It's a weekly rhythm built for students who are starting to ask the hard questions — and a community that doesn't flinch when they do. We laugh a lot. We go deep. And every student who walks through these doors knows they have a place here — no audition required.
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

The stuff that actually matters to them.

Every lesson is designed to meet middle schoolers where they are — not where we wish they were.
🧰
Identity Who am I — really? We help students anchor their identity in Christ before the world tries to assign one.
🤝
Friendship Real community beats popularity every time. We teach students how to be a friend worth having.
📜
Faith Doubt isn't the enemy of faith — silence is. We create space for honest questions and real answers from the Word.
🎯
Purpose You're not too young to matter. We help students discover their gifts and start using them now — not someday.
A TYPICAL NIGHT

Here's how it goes.

01 DROP IN Walk in, grab a seat, find your people. No pressure.
02 HANG TIME Games, snacks, and conversation. This is where walls come down.
03 WORSHIP Music, energy, and a room full of students who aren't afraid to be loud about their faith.
04 DIG IN Small group time. Real talk. The Bible meets real life right here.
05 SEND OUT One takeaway. One challenge. Something to carry into the week.
A WORD FOR PARENTS

We know you're trusting us with your child. We don't take that lightly.

Middle school is a season of transition — for your child and for you. They're forming opinions, testing boundaries, and figuring out what they believe. We're here to walk alongside them (and you) through all of it. Our leaders are background-checked, trained, and genuinely invested in your student's growth. We communicate with you regularly so you know what your child is learning and how to continue the conversation at home. You don't have to have all the answers. Neither do we. But together, we'll make sure your child knows they're loved, known, and never alone in the questions.
THE LEADERS

Not just volunteers. Mentors.

Every leader in Thankful Next is called to this work. They show up consistently, learn every student's name, and earn trust before they speak truth.
PHOTO
Leader Name Next Director "If they know you care, they'll let you in. That's the whole strategy."
PHOTO
Leader Name Small Group Leader "I was that quiet kid once. Now I get to be the adult who sees the quiet ones first."

Bring them once. They'll want to come back.

Plan a visit and let your student experience Thankful Next for themselves. We'll take it from there.
GOT QUESTIONS?

We thought you might.

What grades is Thankful Next for? +
Thankful Next is designed for students in 6th through 8th grade. If your child is between these grades, this is their crew.
Do they have to know the Bible? +
Not even a little. We meet students wherever they are — whether they've grown up in church or have never opened a Bible. Everyone starts somewhere.
What if they don't know anyone? +
That's actually the best time to come. Our leaders are trained to connect new students with the group quickly. By the end of the first night, they'll have names, inside jokes, and a reason to come back.
When do they meet? +
Thankful Next meets weekly. Check our calendar or contact us for the current schedule and upcoming events.
Thankful Baptist Church Living with gratitude.
Loving with courage.
Serving with purpose.
f ig yt
VISIT US 3860 Parwood Rd. Blythe, GA 30805 S.E.E.D. Group — 9:45 AM Worship Experience — 11:00 AM GET DIRECTIONS www.thethankful.life
© 2026 Thankful Baptist Church. All rights reserved. 3860 Parwood Rd., Blythe, GA 30805