Join us Sundays • 8 and 9:45am

Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry

FLAME Lock-In for Youth

May 10, 9pm-6am
This will be an awesome evening for all youth in 7th - 12th grade. Come for the Flame concert and keep the energy flowing all night long! After the exhilarating performance, you will experience group challenges, games, devos based on Flame's lyrics, snacks, and a midnight movie.
Register for Lock-In
Flame Tickets

Growing together.

Whoever you are, wherever you're from, you are welcome here.

Join in the fun! St. John's Youth Groups provide a safe and adventurous experience for anyone seeking fellowship and a relationship with God in a no-pressure environment! For questions or to get connected, contact our Director of Youth Ministries, Matt Walton, at youth@sjdenver.org.
We have a page devoted to resources for parenting babies though teenagers!
Check out our parenting resources

National Youth Gathering - July 2025

Parents and Students in 8th grade and up! Since 1980, this triennial event has enriched the faith of thousands in Jesus Christ. It's a unique opportunity for students to strengthen their Christian identity alongside tens of thousands worldwide in New Orleans, in July 2025. More information will be available in the coming months.
Learn more about the Youth Gathering

Middle School

5th - 8th Grade

5th & 6th Grade

  • 6-8pm Wednesday nights.
Every Wednesday we gather down in the youth room. Doors open at 5:50pm. We play a big group game from 6-7 and then split up into two groups for Bible study time from 7-8.

First Communion Classes
First Communion Class is generally recommended for 5th graders and up but we rely on parents’ discretion for when they are ready. The class takes place Sunday mornings from 8:45-9:30am and starts 8 weeks before Maundy Thursday. Students take their first communion during our Maundy Thursday service. One parent is required to attend classes with their youth.

7th & 8th Grade

  • 6-8pm Wednesday nights
Every Wednesday we gather down in the youth room. Doors open at 5:50pm. We play a big group game from 6-7 and then split up into two groups for Bible study/Confirmation time from 7-8.

Confirmation
Confirmation is a two-year program and is recommended for grades 7 and 8. Confirmation takes place on Wednesday nights from 7-8pm, typically the beginning of September through the end of March.
Winter Retreat
The 7th and 8th grade youth attend a winter retreat every year at LVR (Lutheran Valley Retreat). This typically takes place either the last weekend in January or the first weekend in February.

Middle School

5th - 8th Grade

5th & 6th Grade

  • 6-8pm Wednesday nights.
Every Wednesday we gather down in the youth room. Doors open at 5:50pm. We play a big group game from 6-7 and then split up into two groups for Bible study time from 7-8.

First Communion Classes
First Communion Class is generally recommended for 5th graders and up but we rely on parents’ discretion for when they are ready. The class takes place Sunday mornings from 8:45-9:30am and starts 8 weeks before Maundy Thursday. Students take their first communion during our Maundy Thursday service. One parent is required to attend classes with their youth.

7th & 8th Grade

  • 6-8pm Wednesday nights
Every Wednesday we gather down in the youth room. Doors open at 5:50pm. We play a big group game from 6-7 and then split up into two groups for Bible study/Confirmation time from 7-8.

Confirmation
Confirmation is a two-year program and is recommended for grades 7 and 8. Confirmation takes place on Wednesday nights from 7-8pm, typically the beginning of September through the end of March.
Winter Retreat
The 7th and 8th grade youth attend a winter retreat every year at LVR (Lutheran Valley Retreat). This typically takes place either the last weekend in January or the first weekend in February.

High School

9th - 12th Grade

  • 6:30-8pm Sundays 
Our High School Youth Ministry is an engaging, dynamic, and safe space for young people to explore faith, community, and personal growth. We meet every Sunday from 6:30 to 8:00pm at St. John's, and we welcome all high school students to join us in this exciting journey of fellowship and spiritual exploration.

We encourage open conversations, mutual respect, and a deepening understanding of God's love and teachings. We engage our youth through thought-provoking discussions, interactive Bible studies, and interactive games.
Join us on Sundays from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. We can't wait to meet you!

Email A.J. Vega for any questions. 

High School

9th - 12th Grade

  • 6:30-8pm Sundays 
Our High School Youth Ministry is an engaging, dynamic, and safe space for young people to explore faith, community, and personal growth. We meet every Sunday from 6:30 to 8:00pm at St. John's, and we welcome all high school students to join us in this exciting journey of fellowship and spiritual exploration.

We encourage open conversations, mutual respect, and a deepening understanding of God's love and teachings. We engage our youth through thought-provoking discussions, interactive Bible studies, and interactive games.
Join us on Sundays from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. We can't wait to meet you!

Email A.J. Vega for any questions. 

Meet Matt Walton, Director of Youth Ministries

Matt grew up in California. He graduated from Concordia University, Irvine, and received his first call to teach  at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church and School. He then transitioned into youth ministry and was the Youth Director for four years. He became St. John's Director of Youth Ministries in 2012, and is also currently St. John's School's Middle School Advisor. He enjoys working through the Word and his faith in a community setting with peers and youth so that each can be raised up in discipleship of Christ! Matt has two great kids, Cassidy and Phoenix.

Contact Matt at 303-733-3777 x 117 or youth@sjdenver.org.

Meet A.J. Vega, Director of Outreach and High School Youth Group Leader

A.J. graduated from Concordia University Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Education with a Specialization in Youth Ministry. A.J. is originally from New York, yet has moved around so much that he claims to no longer have an accent. He enjoys playing the piano, spending time with his wife, Kristen, trying new things, and eating delicious food; he once ate 37 chicken wings during an impromptu eating contest with friends while on a mission trip!

Contact A.J. at 303-733-3777 x 113 or aj.vega@sjdenver.org.

Meet Matt Walton, Director of Youth Ministries

Matt grew up in California. He graduated from Concordia University, Irvine, and received his first call to teach  at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church and School. He then transitioned into youth ministry and was the Youth Director for four years. He became St. John's Director of Youth Ministries in 2012, and is also currently St. John's School's Middle School Advisor. He enjoys working through the Word and his faith in a community setting with peers and youth so that each can be raised up in discipleship of Christ! Matt has two great kids, Cassidy and Phoenix.

Contact Matt at 303-733-3777 x 117 or youth@sjdenver.org.

Meet AJ Vega, Director of Outreach and High School Youth Group Leader

A.J. graduated from Concordia University Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Education with a Specialization in Youth Ministry. A.J. is originally from New York, yet has moved around so much that he claims to no longer have an accent. He enjoys playing the piano, spending time with his wife, Kristen, trying new things, and eating delicious food; he once ate 37 chicken wings during an impromptu eating contest with friends while on a mission trip!

Contact A.J. at 303-733-3777 x 113 or aj.vega@sjdenver.org.