Growing together in faith, friendship, and purpose.
At Blacknall, we are committed to helping middle and high schoolers know Jesus and follow him with joy, curiosity, and enthusiasm. Our Youth Ministry creates space to ask big questions, build friendships with peers and mentors, and discover what it means to belong in God’s story. But you’ll also find our youth and teens at the center of our larger church community: they lead in Sunday worship, serve on church committees, mentor younger children, and, most importantly, share in the church’s life of discipleship as we grow together in the knowledge and love of Christ.
What We’re About
Blacknall Youth Ministry exists to help students know Christ deeply, love others faithfully, and serve the world with hope. We do this through:
Worship and teaching that helps students know and love God and discover their place in his larger story
Service opportunities at Blacknall and in our larger Durham community
Retreats and fun events that strengthen friendships and faith.
Whether someone has grown up in church or is just beginning to explore faith, there’s a place for everyone here.
Sunday Gatherings
Sunday Services
Everyone can join the Blacknall community for worship at 8:30 or 11 a.m. If you’re new to Blacknall, check out what our Sunday rhythms are like.
Sunday School
From 10 - 10:45 a.m., we host classes divided into middle and high school groups with time for fellowship, Bible study, group discussion, and prayer. Middle schoolers study excerpts from the Bible, focusing on big questions like “What is the church?” High schoolers read entire books of the Bible and dig deep into their context and how they speak to our lives. As we study Scripture, we discuss life’s questions and connect our faith to what’s happening in the world around us.
Want our full curriculum and room info? See our Sunday School page.
Youth Group
Middle and high school Youth Groups meet Sunday nights during the academic year. Our gatherings can include Bible study, small groups, storytelling, games, and worship led by peers. Recent themes of study include decision-making, politics, and prayer. Expect laughter, honest discussion, and time to grow closer to one another and to Christ. Snacks are typically provided.
Middle schoolers: Corner Room (Room 101)
High schoolers: Youth Room
Confirmation
We offer a Confirmation Class each spring where high schoolers learn about and discuss what it means to be a Christian, a Presbyterian, and a member at Blacknall. At the end of this class, students are invited to publicly affirm their faith and formally join the church as adult members.
Retreats and Special Events
Time away from routine allow us to pause, connect, and see God’s work in new ways. These events are organized and designed for genuine spiritual growth. Some of our events include:
The Great Escape: Our annual summer camp experience for middle schoolers in East Tennessee, where students get to play, worship, and learn more about following Jesus with their peers from other churches in the region
High school retreat: High schoolers spend a week of their summer playing, resting, strengthening their friendships, and growing deeper in their relationships with God
Social and service events: We tailor these activities to focus on fun and supporting our community in Durham. This may mean meeting at a nearby lake, local bowling alley, or ice skating rink, or getting together for a bonfire or game night. We also support our ministry partners through acts of service like volunteering at the Emanuel Food Pantry and cooking for our friends at Reality Ministries.
How to Get Involved
Any student in grades 6 - 12 is welcome to visit or join our programming at any time, and Blacknall youth are encouraged to invite their friends! We send a weekly email with updates about upcoming events and gatherings — request to join our mailing list. On Sundays, you can also talk to Kat or Sarah, who lead our ministry.
Meet the Youth Ministry Team
Our leaders are committed to building relationships that reflect Christ’s love — through listening, guiding, and creating space for students to be known and supported.
Kat Burgett | Director of Youth Ministries
Sarah Lapp | Associate Director of Middle School Ministry
Volunteering Information
Passionate about helping teens grow in faith and deepen their Christian community? We’d love for you to use your gifts among our youth. We are always looking for additional Youth Group leaders, Sunday School teachers, and event chaperones. Contact Kat to learn about how you can join.
Safety
All staff and volunteers have received background checks and have completed child abuse prevention trainings. For more information, see Blacknall’s full abuse prevention policy.