MEET PASTOR RYAN
Ryan Anfinrud, Youth Pastor, Oak Haven Church
Ryan has been teaching teenagers about Jesus since 2018. He is excited to see how God is moving in our world and can’t wait to be a part of it in our community. Ryan and his wife Rebecca have a daughter named Hope and recently had a son named Henry.
Ryan and his daughter Hope at the MN Zoo!
Hey there!
It’s easy to think of youth group as just another thing for your teenager to do after school. We pray that your student’s time in our youth ministry is something worth prioritizing. We hope it’s a time of transformation that affects the rest of their lives!
NEW BEGINNINGS
Youth Group Launch
Youth Group starts up again this week! We are so excited to get everyone together again as we help our teenagers follow Jesus. We use a combination of weekly programming and larger events like Fall Retreat, Winter Retreat (new this year!), and the District Blitz Student Conference to help our students take next steps in their faith.
*Our First keystone event, another email with more details coming soon, is Fall Retreat on October 10-12. You can learn more on our website at: oakhavenchurch.org/youth or go directly to the registration page here:
You can download the Youth Group calendar for the year at the link below.
*note. Under many of the “Youth Group” nights it says “-after:” This indicates a special event happening after youth group. It will be for our adult mentors, student leaders, or high schoolers.
For example, THIS week (9/17/25) your HIGH SCHOOLER is invited to hang out after Youth Group for our High School After-Party. We trust parents and students to plan rides and set their own curfew if your family needs it to be earlier, but we will kick your kids out of the church by 10pm.
SCHEDULES
What to Expect
For each night of Youth Group, we have a general rhythm of how things usually go when it’s not a special night.
6pm. The Gym is ours. Many of our students benefit from moving and playing before being asked to sit still. Send your students early to play games or just hang out before programming starts.
6:30pm. This is the “official” Youth Group start time in the Youth Room. We usually start with an ice breaker and announcements. When we have a band ready, we move into a time of worship through music.
7pm. Teaching. Pastor Ryan teaches from the Bible in a way that helps us understand what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. Don’t forget your Bible! Bonus points if you take notes.
7:20pm. Small Group. Students are divided by Middle/High School and by guys/girls. They are invited to share what they are learning and how they plan to put it into practice.
8pm. Time to go home. There are often after events for our adult mentors, high schoolers, or student leaders. You will be given a heads up ahead of time for each opportunity.
REACHING THEIR POTENTIAL
Student Leadership
Many of our students are highly invested in making ministry happen at Youth Group. We want to encourage them taking ownership of the ministry and provide opportunities for them to grow and use their gifts.
Your student will be invited to apply to our Student Leadership team. This is a team designed to provide opportunities to invest in their peers, dive deeper into their faith, and have input on how youth ministry runs in the future.
Student Leadership meetings will happen AFTER Youth Group once a month (twice in Oct and Nov). These meetings are open to all students who want to grow in their leadership, not just for those on the Student Leadership team, although the team will be asked to attend.
Still to be scheduled, but I wanted to put it on your radar that we are hoping to do short tactical meetings weekly on Sunday nights at 8pm. This will help our team stay focused on their role in the ministry and set them up for success for the coming week.
That’s it! Please email Pastor Ryan with any Questions.
