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Encounter

High School Ministry

We want to help every high schooler learn how to STAY WEIRD for Jesus so that we can make disciples who make disciples.

Encounter is a community of students focused on our vision of authentic worship, authentic community, and authentic community service. We believe every student should have a place to be known and belong. At Encounter, each person is welcomed as part of the family because we know all of us are loved unconditionally by the God who created us. 

Our Wednesday night services include worshiping God through music, in-depth Bible teaching, and Life Group time to help dive deeper into God’s Word and build genuine relationships. We’re also a little goofy, and we like to keep encounter weird, so we hope that’s okay with you! 

Encounter at our Campuses 

At Murfreesboro, Encounter is for high school students—middle school students, check out our EON page! 

At Cannon County and Tullahoma, Encounter is the mid-week group for both high school and middle school students. 

Students can take an active role leading in Encounter, so it’s truly a ministry by students, for students. Throughout the year, we also have special trips and events designed just for students to give you even more ways to grow in your faith and build relationships with other students and leaders. 

Encounter leaders live a life above reproach. They are screened and vetted for your safety (background checks are required for all volunteers).

Murfreesboro Text Alerts: Interested in receiving our text alerts? It’s a great way to stay up-to-date! Text “encounter” to 615-560-9665 to sign up!

Frequently Asked Questions

We meet on Wednesday nights at the Cannon County, Murfreesboro, and Tullahoma campuses. At the Cannon County and Tullahoma campuses, doors open at 6:00 pm, and service starts at 6:30 pm. At Murfreesboro campus, doors open at 6:30 pm, and service begins at 7:00 pm. If you’ve never been to Encounter before, we will show you around after you check in! 

At Murfreesboro, Encounter is for high school students—middle school students, check out our EON page! At Cannon County and Tullahoma, Encounter is the mid-week group for both high school and middle school students.

Our catchphrase is “Keep Encounter Weird,” and we want our students to “Stay Weird” for Jesus. These phrases are huge in Encounter because we believe authentic followers are people who live “weird” lives in our culture. 

A high school ministry full of students who accept each other and don’t have cliques is weird. A high schooler who takes time each day to read the Bible and pray is weird. Everything we do is to encourage and celebrate students to set an example of what it looks like to Stay Weird for Jesus! We also like to be a place that is welcoming to the outcasts and a little goofy and crazy at times as we build memorable moments with students.

No, we intentionally don’t offer services specifically for high schoolers on the weekend because we want them to begin to integrate into the larger church body. We encourage high school students to “attend one, serve one” on the weekends, meaning choose one of our four services to attend and one service to find a place to serve. Being involved like this in the church community is one of the things that research has shown to lead to a high school student sticking with their faith after graduation and beyond. 

We do have EON, our middle school ministry, during weekend services. Check out their page for more information!

Our Wednesday night services include worshiping God through music, in-depth Bible teaching, and Life Group time to help dive deeper into God’s Word and build genuine relationships. Our Life Groups are divided by gender and each group is led by at least two adults. All of our adult leaders are vetted and have passed background checks.

We love when parents are involved in Encounter! We have many roles available—from serving on Wednesdays as a Life Group leader or in a supporting role, or helping with special events throughout the year. Contact us if you would like to learn more!

Current Series

We are studying Hebrews. Hebrews is one of the most unique books in the New Testament, as it shows us how the Old Testament is fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus. Through this book, we can be encouraged that Jesus has paid the final price for our sins, and we can live in the freedom that His New Covenant brings us. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can run the race of the Christian life with endurance (Hebrews 12:1).

Resources

Hey parents! Our Student Ministries Team now has faith-based parent resources, and they want to share them with you! 

If you have questions about subjects such as mental health, anxiety, smartphone addiction, suicide and self-harm, sexuality and gender, spiritual growth, identity, or pop culture, we encourage you to take advantage of these resources. 

To receive resources or to set up a pastoral counseling meeting with our team please reach out using the form below.

Request Resources

Still have questions?

Email us!

Want to know more about what your student is doing during their time at Encounter or want to find out more about the ministry?

Volunteer

If you are an adult who has a heart for seeing students take next steps in their faith, consider joining our Encounter leader team! Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch soon!

Volunteer at Cannon County
Volunteer at Murfreesboro
Volunteer at Tullahoma

Volunteer Portal

This portal is your one-stop page to access leader handbooks, training resources, and other important volunteer information. To receive access to this portal, check your volunteer email or contact your ministry leader for a password.

Volunteer Portal
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