Southwood Presbyterian Church

High-Life Core Values

High-Life focuses on six Biblical core values to help us advance the Kingdom of God in the lives of our students. These core values help us focus as fully devoted followers of Christ as we do ministry and life together. High-Life’s core values are the Ministry of Presence, Ministry of the Word, Ministry of Mercy, Ministry of Partnership, Ministry of Evangelism and Discipleship, and the Ministry of Prayer.

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Jesus, the Son of God, became a man just like us. Once he was here, he spent countless hours with his twelve disciples, as well as many other followers. Jesus walked, talked, and lived with his twelve closest friends for three years; and in this way he impacted their lives. In the same way, the leaders of High-Life Ministries seek to be a presence in each of the students’ lives of Southwood. There are numerous invaluable aspects in leading and discipling students; however, one of the most important is being a presence in students’ lives.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

God has given us His very words, the Bible, so that we may know Him and understand who He created us to be and how we are to live. The Word of God is an extraordinary gift of transforming power and a vital means of grace. What do we have to offer our students? The very words of God, which is life! Therefore, we try to teach and model it in everything we do. God’s word is our chief authority and the pasture in which we feed.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4

The heart of Christ is a heart of mercy. Therefore, as followers of Christ, we are called to continually serve others in a ministry of mercy. High-Life’s Ministry of Mercy is as diverse as the needs of our world. It includes opportunities in short-term mission trips, the Junior and Senior Crew, and work days at Lincoln Village. It also includes continually offering both our resources and lives to students in crisis, single parents, and all those who walk through our doors in need. When the teacher of the law asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with the parable of the good Samaritan, and by turning the question upside down and essentially asking, “Who are you going to be a neighbor to?”

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6

The Ministry of Partnership takes on a variety of forms in youth ministry. First and foremost, we recognize that the spiritual development of our Junior High and Senior High students is primarily the responsibility of the parents. Therefore, it is our great joy to partner with the parents in everything we do, so that we are working together for the heart of the student. Partnership is a beautiful model for our students, the body of Christ working together for the hearts of students. Other partnerships exist in working with adult leaders, coaches, teachers, and other ministries within our community.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

We want to model our lives after Jesus, and at the heart of His life was evangelism and discipleship. Christ was in the pursuit of calling men and women to be fully devoted followers of His Kingdom life. In the same way, High-Life Ministries is constantly partnering with Christ for the gathering and perfecting of his people.

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

In the Gospels we find Jesus continually going off to a solitary place to pray. Everything Jesus said and did flowed from His life of prayer. At High-Life we try to foster an atmosphere that incorporates the spiritual discipline of prayer in all we do. Prayer is our communication with Christ and our humble acknowledgement that we are completely dependent on the love and grace of God.