NextGen Ministries | LW Kids & Youth | Living Word Church
The goal of NextGen Ministries is to help families, youth, and children grow their faith life through memory-making experiences that help young people see God in their everyday life.
Volunteer Signups
Volunteering for the NextGen ministry at Living Word offers an opportunity for individuals to actively engage and support our youth and children’s programs. By signing up, volunteers can contribute their time, talents, and passion to nurture and guide the next generation in their spiritual growth.
NextGen Staff
Amanda Alber
Director of NextGen Ministries
aalber@livingwordumc.org
636-544-2625 (cell)
Buzz Matthews
Assistant Director of NextGen Ministries
bmatthews@livingwordumc.org
636-821-2826
LW Kids
A nursery is available on Sunday mornings to nurture and cared for the youngest in our community. Located on the lower level of the building and led by teams of volunteers, the nursery is a safe place for kids to be care for while families are otherwise engaged in worship or learning experiences.
The nursery is open from 9:00-11:30 am on Sunday mornings.
An hour-long preschool Sunday school
class is available for preschool-aged
children during the 9:00 and 10:30 am
worship services. Children will learn the
very basics of faith the way they learn
best; through wiggly games, science
activities, music, and play. The children
will join worship for communion, then
return to their classroom. The preschool
classroom is on the lower level and led
by a team of volunteers.
On Sundays, LW Kids will begin in the Worship Center at 9:00 and 10:30 am. Kids can choose to sit with parents in chairs or at tables with LW staff located on the far-right side of the Worship Center for the first 15 minutes of worship allowing them to participate in the opening songs, prayers, and liturgy. When the sermon begins, LW Kids will move to the LW Kids room for an age-appropriate message, activity, and music. LW Kids return to the Worship Center for communion and the closing songs and prayers. Parents should check-in their kids at registration station in the lobby at the Welcome Desk when they arrive and pick up their kids at the tables when worship concludes.
On Wednesday nights during the school year, LW Kids (kindergarten - 5th grade) have one more activity time and LW Kids Choir option from 6:15 - 7:30 pm. Beginning in the LW Kids room, a learning activity time helps kids remember the weekly theme through games, experiments, and service projects, followed by a 30-minute choir rehearsal. The LW Kids room will remain open and supervised until 8:30 pm for parents who are participating in the adult Worship Choir.
LW Youth
On Sunday afternoons during the school year, LW Youth Choir will gather from 3:00 - 4:00 pm for choir and 4:00 - 5:15 pm for a weekly LW Youth Group. The LW Youth Choir looks forward to continuing the tradition of singing monthly at the 9:00 am Worship Service and taking a choir tour in the summer. LW Youth Group will include games and activities, followed by Bible based learning, small group conversations, and guitar-led worship. Youth are welcome to participate in either LW Youth Group or LW Youth Choir or both as they feel comfortable. Both group are designed to help kids build community and have a place of belonging.
The Wednesday night Bible study is a time for middle school and high school youth to deepen their faith and community through learning and discussion. The group meets during the school year and some Wednesday nights in the summer.
Middle school group meets at 6:15 - 7:15 pm
High school group meets at 7:15 - 8:30 pm

