Contact the Student Ministry Office for more information.

M I N I S T R Y Purpose: To give junior and high school students the opportunity to join with one or two others and a spiritual mentor in order to develop affirming accountability relationships, to talk about life issues, to talk about faith issues and to receive encouragement in the process of becoming a fully-developing follower of Christ. >>  Download monthly report form >>  MS Word  |  PDF P R O C E S S    Any junior or high school student will have the opportunity to sign up for a D-Group using the "Spiritual Habits" card located on the table in the Youth Worship Center. In addition, recommendations will be made through teachers and youth leaders to the Pastor of Student Ministry or D-Group Coordinator. Once a student has indicated and interest in being involved in this ministry, another student will be paired with him/her and a D-Group Mentor assigned. The students (mentos) paired together should be of the same sex and general age. The students should show a strong desire to form an accountable relationship and not be coerced into joining a D-group for any other reason than true fellowship, spiritual growth & accountability. The Mentor (either adult or student) should be an active member of Crossroads Baptist Church and show both a love God and for students and a significant measure of spiritual maturity. For the assurance of both the students and the parents of the students involved in the D-Groups (if necessary) a background check and fingerprinting will be done for adult Mentors. The mentor and mento will be notified and the mentor should then take the initiative to contact the students to set up their first meeting. The first meeting should involve basic introductions and the sharing of general information about interests, sports, arts, schooling, family relationships, etc. and the group should discuss a convenient time and place for each member to meet on a weekly basis. As the weeks progress, it will be the responsibility of the mentor to keep in regular contact with the students in his/her group by phone, reminding students of their next meeting and offering words of affirmation. A typical D-group meeting might be scheduled something like this.. 15 minutes - hang out and discuss lighter things and common interests. 25 minutes - move on to deeper issues and discuss any current challenges or questions regarding the students' emotional, physical, educational, relational, or spiritual well-being. (i.e. parental relationships, purity, thought life, attitudes, grades, sports, injuries, media choices, time management, questions about the Bible/Christianity, etc.) The mentor must be prepared to ask the tough questions in an encouraging, loving way. Affirmation is the key. Typically, students will be eager to receive wisdom and guidance from a mentor once they are convinced of their love and concern for them. 10 minutes - move on to accountability issues concerning spiritual disciplines of the students. (i.e. quiet time, meditation, Bible study and memorization, prayer, church involvement, devotionals the group are going through together, etc.) 10 minutes - time of prayer over any struggles students are facing or specific requests in general. The mentor may also choose to give a short devotional or share something that God is teaching him/her during this time. The D-Groups should meet weekly.but should definitely not go more than 2 weeks without face-to-face contact. The Mentor should fill out a monthly report on the progress of his/her group and submit to the D-Group Coordinator. The Coordinator must consistently communicate with the mentors, encouraging them and making sure they have everything they need to succeed. It is also the Coordinator's responsibility to hold quarterly meetings with all the mentors for training in discipleship issues, fellowship, and a time for celebration and praise reports from the D-Groups. The term of a D-Group relationship will be one year, unless all parties agree to further involvement.