Explore Youth Ministry
7th Grade - 12th Grade
Our Philosophy
At Kenilworth Union Church Youth Ministry, we seek to love God, to love others as ourselves, to make a difference in this world, and to live life abundantly. We invite all youth, regardless of church affiliation, to experience this authentic relational community with us. Through fun, fellowship, and service we inspire each other to explore and grow in Christian faith.
7th to 8th Grade
During Junior High years, many youth—even those who still “believe in God”—often struggle to take seriously the Bible’s “stories” learned in earlier years. We encourage youth at this stage to start practicing the healthy and mature habit of asking questions and expressing honest reflections (which often includes doubt) about religious faith, God, Jesus, and the Bible. In other words we encourage spiritual critical thinking! See more of our offerings for this age group here:
9th to 12th Grade
By high school young people are largely socially and community oriented. We encourage high schoolers by building an intentional community in leadership teams, small groups, and the popular IMPACT program. An important emphasis at this age, one that also helps with building a strong faith foundation, is for youth to apply themselves to serve God and others both near and far. See more of our offerings for this age group here:
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Latest News
IMPACT Costa Rica 2024
Sarah ChamplinMinister of Youth, Young Adults, and Mission IMPACT Mission Trip 2024 is underway! If you missed our big reveal a couple weeks ago, allow me to break the news: we are heading to Costa Rica from June 15–22, 2024! Nestled between Panama and Nicaragua,...
Upcoming Events
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In everything we do, the purpose of Youth Ministry at Kenilworth Union Church is to demonstrate and practice the living Gospel of Jesus Christ to and with young people. We take a whole-life approach that aims to invite youth to understand, articulate, and live by faith in all aspects of their lives. Every aspect of Youth Ministry aims to foster community that feels like family, because it is! #kucyouthfam
Youth Team
Sarah Champlin
Minister of Youth, Young Adults, and Mission
Sarah is a New Trier graduate and was a faithful youth at First United Methodist Church in Evanston, where her leaders inspired her to pursue youth ministry as a career and a calling. Previously, she served in a Catholic campus ministry program at Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, as well as directed the youth ministry program at St. David’s Episcopal Church in the Philly suburbs.
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Sarah studied at Fordham University (B.A.) and Boston University School of Theology (M.Div.) with certificates in Mission & Ecumenism and Faith & Ecological Justice. Her many mission experiences have led her as far as India and as close as a soup kitchen operating out of her basement. When she is not off adventuring, Sarah loves to read, go birding around her neighborhood, and swim in the lake.
Email Ms. Champlin
Squire Prince
Director of Youth Ministries
Squire is a Chicago native, born and raised on the Southside of the city, graduating from Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep in 2014. Squire began in ministry at the young age of 11, preaching at different churches, and even running a ministry team in his high school community. Squire is an alum of Illinois College, class of 2018, where he studied music and theatre. Immediately following graduation, Squire accepted a full-time position as a Student Ministries Director at Grace UMC in Jacksonville, IL. Squire has been at Kenilworth Union since January of 2022, and couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity of service. s.
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He completed the Certificate of Youth Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminaries Institute for Youth Ministry in August of 2023, and is studying to complete his Masters of Divinity at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.
What grounds Squire’s ministry is the concept of “Universal Belovedness,” and the boundless grace of God’s love. With a passion for social justice, worship, and ecumenical work, Squire hopes to be the conduit through which God exposes Godself to our youth and families. When not cooking up some new game for JYG or combing through IMPACT photos, Squire loves going to the theatre, the symphony, directing the gospel choir at his home church, and reading lots and lots of book
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