Project Initiative No. 1
The next generation of youth ministry
A space for students and their families.
After forty years of constant use, a wholesale, top-to-bottom repurposing of the Pipe Youth Ministry space is in order.
After conducting a six-month mission study of the lower level, we identified several key values to guide our revisioning of the space. These included: faith formation, community, safety and security, hospitality, mission mobilization, inclusiveness, and creativity. What could a space for youth ministry look like if it embodied these values?
To help us answer this question, we reached out to the architectural firm that designed our third floor FPCF Kids space (‘The Grove’)—ELEVATE Studios—and asked them to help us dream what a future youth ministry space might look like here. What emerged is, firstly, an outstanding, free-ranging, wildly creative vision of a space that will welcome students of many differing interests and help form them in community, mission, and discipleship.
Secondly, the proposed space will be turnkey ready for other church events including summer mission trip hosting, small group gatherings and retreats, FlintSOUP presentations and dinners, ecumenical collaboration, and more. It is a space that will deepen and broaden our ministry to youth, but also permit us to do more in the community of Flint.
As soon as students enter the new space, they have a clear view of the whole space. A welcome desk to the right provides information and a place to check in. The multi-level seating to the left invites students to get comfortable and talk with their friends. The dining area in the foreground has flexible seating so no one is left out when its time to eat. An acoustical ceiling with carefully arranged wood panels helps sound remain localized.
Our small group room can easily be partitioned in two by the use of foldable wall panels. Each section of the room is equipped with a gas fireplace to make cold winters more cozy and to create a campfire-like atmosphere for discussions and conversation. This room opens to The Commons and to the main gathering area for easy visiblity and access. Plus, this space can be overflow seating for large presentations on The Stage.
A reverse angle on the small group rooms that shows a garage-door style opening into the main room. The wide, floor-to-ceiling windows provides visibility from the Commons area.
A few steps from the main area is The Commons, a hub that provide safe access to restrooms, our creative lab, and our two small group areas. The Commons also provides additional breakout space for small group discussions in the center of the room. This room is highly visible from the main gathering space, and lots of floor-to-ceiling windows provides visual access to every space.
The Creative Lab provides space for mission mobilization, creative expression, interactive prayer and worship, and planning and brainstorming.
Flexible, modular risers provide elevated spaces for conversation and discussion.
Plenty of seating of various types accomodates a range of student interests.
A well-appointed kitchen opens up through a sliding barn door to provide students and leaders with access for prep and clean-up.
What's that in the corner? A soft-serve ice cream dispenser? Who put that delicious device there? 🍦🍦🍦
From arcade-style games, foosball, and video games, students are invited to connect with one another in a shared activity.
When it’s time to play, a large floor-marked, sport-court area can be easily utilized for a variety of large motor activities. A cleverly-hidden, weighted net can be quickly pulled around the area through a ceiling-track to prevent any stray balls or projectiles from exiting the area. When not in use, the netting is stored in a nearby storage room.
The room can easily seat 100-150 people and more in overflow spaces.
For teaching, worship, and presentations, a modular stage is set up at the rear of the main space. Two panels on either side capture the natural light from the exterior and supplement it with LED illumination. The garage door provides access to the small group space. Seating in this area can flex from 20-150, and stackable chairs which are easily stored in a nearby storage closet.
A marked sports area (complete with retractable net walls) provides a large space for games and active play