GCC Youth

GCC Youth is designed to help students know and follow Jesus through intentional community, exciting environments and events, impactful worship, biblical messages, and engaging small groups.

Grace Community Church Youth Ministry is for 6th-12th grade students. We meet every Sunday (HS) and Wednesday (JH) from 6:30-8:30 PM. We get excited when we see students realize their immense worth as people created in God’s image, when they feel loved and seen by their peers and caring adults, or when they understand and live out their purpose as followers of Jesus.

If you’re coming for the first time, we want to get to know you! here's what you can expect:

When you arrive you can head to the check-in space and we will get some basic information from you so we can follow up with you later and keep in touch. After that, we’ll get you connected with a small group leader or student from your school or grade who can show you around.

JH Youth
Wednesdays

Students Grades 6 through 8 usually begin gathering around 6:00 PM for a hot meal, arriving through the main entrance at GCC. Students are welcome to hang out in the lobby, play games in the café, or check out the comfy couches in the youth room. At 6:30 PM, the doors to the sanctuary open, and students rush in to grab a seat. We’ll welcome you and make some announcements, then have some fun with some games or high-energy activities. 

After that, we’ll head into a time of worship with a live band and teaching by Pastor Kevin or one of the other leaders. After the message, students will head out to small groups divided by gender and grade where students can talk about the message further or share openly about the high or low parts of their week. We always have a great time and we hope to learn something from God’s Word or from each other!

HS Youth
Sundays

Students Grades 9 through 12 usually begin gathering around 6:15 PM, arriving through the main entrance at GCC. Students are welcome to hang out in the lobby, play games in the café, or check out the comfy couches in the youth room. At 6:30 PM, we head upstairs and grab a seat in room 205. We’ll welcome you and make some announcements, then have some fun with some games or high-energy activities. 

After that, we’ll head into a time of worship with a live band and teaching by Pastor Kevin or one of the other leaders. After the message, students will head out to small groups divided by gender and grade, where students can talk about the message further or share openly about the high or low parts of their week. We always have a great time, and we hope to learn something from God’s Word or each other!

Weekend ministry offering

6th & 7th grade sunday school

Sunday 9:15 & 11:00 am | Held during worship services

our youth team

Kevin Lance

youth pastor

about kevin

Kevin Lance serves as the Youth Pastor at Grace Community Church. He loves to build relationships and help students discover and live into the potential that God places in each of them. Kevin believes that creating a space where students feel known, loved, and empowered by caring adults is one of the greatest investments the church can make. He also desires to partner with parents to equip them to help their students grow in their walk with Jesus.

Kevin has been married to Shelby since 2009, and they have 4 kids: Elias, Gavin, Makenna, and Harper, who light up their lives. Kevin has a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry from Eastern University and a Masters of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. In his spare time, you will find him spending time with family, playing all-time QB with the boys, taking the girls out for breakfast dates, going on a hike, or seeing the latest Marvel movie.

cristina Winchell

Assistant Director of Youth &
Communications 

about cristina

Cristina Winchell serves as Assistant Director of Youth and Communications and is a Lancaster Bible College Graduate with a BA in Youth & Young Adult Ministry and Biblical Studies. She enjoys meeting new people and empowering students to walk confidently in the footsteps of Jesus.

Cristina is proud of her New Jersey upbringing and is still hunting to find a good bagel in Lancaster County. She takes any and all recommendations. In her free time, she enjoys hammocking, hammocking, and finding new places to hammock. Make sure to find her on a Sunday and say hi!

tommy elder

Junior High Pastoral Assistant

about tommy

Tommy serves as our Junior High Pastoral Assistant. He is a graduate of Lancaster Bible College where he is majored in Pastoral Ministry and minored in business. Tommy grew up on the wrong side of the river in York but has now left the dark side. He enjoys watching Pittsburgh Sports, playing guitar, and staying out of trouble with his friends. He helps out with the Youth Group at GCC focusing on the Junior High students, and you will see him and his friends here worshipping on Sundays!