Speedway United Methodist Church

Youth Ministries

Our purpose is to bring youth together to be strengthened in faith and leadership to serve their community wherever they are.

The Speedway United Methodist Church Youth Group is for youth ages 11 to 18 or in grades 6-12. We will meet on Sunday afternoons or evenings, dates and times determined based on the activity. Snacks or dinner may be provided depending on time and type of activity planned. We plan at least (2) two community service projects, and at least (2) two fundraisers, and at least (2) two special events.

In 2024, the youth helped with game stations at our annual Easter Egg Hunt, participated in Speedway Home Helpers assisting local homeowners in need with cleaning up their yards, and re-painted the yellow lines of our church parking lot prior to the church’s annual fundraiser of selling parking spots during the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar Race.

Youth group fundraisers in 2024 included a successful car wash and bake sale. If you wish to support our youth ministry through a donation, please see our PayPal account below.

Special events our youth group planned in 2024/2025 included a lock-in at Hoosier Heights Indianapolis (rock climbing), park activities/games, and more.

Our youth group is a place for our teens to serve and grow in Christ through fellowship with their friends.

All youth are welcome to participate in our activities.  For the safety of the children, our volunteers, and in compliance with United Methodist Church Safe Sanctuaries policies, youth and guardians are asked to complete the below online forms.

*Completing the forms does NOT automatically commit your child to attend specific events but will add their name to our youth group email list so you are notified about upcoming youth group activities and events.

 

Participant Medical Release Form
Photo/Media Release Form
Youth Group Behavioral Covenant and Discipline Policy

  🎉 NEW YOUTH PASTOR ANNOUNCEMENT

In July 2025, Speedway UMC hired Ron Cross for the position of Youth, Young Adult & Families Discipleship Pastor. Ron Cross is a certified lay preacher with a deep passion for nurturing the spiritual growth of youth and young adults. Speedway UMC has a growing number of youth joining our Youth Group, and Ron brings rich experience in teaching, leadership, and discipleship, equipping the next generation to follow Jesus Christ faithfully.
Over the past few years, Ron has served as a co-leader of our Youth Group, playing a vital role in its revival and growth. His ability to connect with young people in encouraging and authentic ways has made a lasting impact.
Although this position marks a new chapter in Ron’s ministry, his journey with Speedway UMC began in 2017, and he has consistently served with dedication, love, and a heart for Christ.

Some of our youth group members also attend summer camp through Impact 2818: Outdoor Ministries (of the United Methodist Churches of Indiana). During the summers of 2023 and 2024, they attended Camp Adventure in northern Indiana (near Pierceton, IN). As many of our youth group members are now in high school, they attended Impact MS/HS Camp @ Epworth Forest (also in northern Indiana, right on Webster Lake in North Webster, IN) in summer 2025.

If your teen is interested in growing closer to Christ through summer camp, please e-mail our Youth Ministry Coordinator at youth@speedway-umc.org to inquire about SUMC sponsored scholarship codes to assist with summer camp fees.

Learn More About Camp

In compliance with UMC Safe Sanctuaries policies, we now use “Realm Connect” app to communicate with youth participants and their families. Please search “Realm Connect – For Our Church” to download the free app from your phone’s app store and email youth@speedway-umc.org to be added to our Youth Ministry group through this app.