Why Church Matters When You're a Teenager

Nick Brunoni • Assistant Pastor
May 13, 2026

3 Minute Read

Let's be honest — Sunday morning isn't always the easiest time to be a teenager. There are late Saturday nights, comfortable beds, and a hundred other things pulling at your attention. So why bother? Why does church actually matter during these years?

Here's the truth: the teen years are some of the most important years of your life, not just for your future — but for your faith.

1) You're Making Decisions That Shape Everything

The choices you make between 13 and 19 — who you spend time with, what you believe, how you handle hard things — lay a foundation that carries into adulthood. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Church isn't just something to do — it's one of God's primary means of building that foundation in your life.

2) You Need More Than Just Good Advice

The world is full of voices telling teenagers what to think, who to be, and what to value. Social media, friends, entertainment — none of it is neutral. You need the Word of God and a community of people who are anchored to it. Psalm 119:9 asks, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" The answer? "By taking heed thereto according to thy word." Church is where you get that Word — consistently, week after week.

3) You Need People Who Are For You

One of the gifts God gives through the local church is relationships. You need older Christians who have walked through hard things and come out on the other side. You need friends your age who are genuinely trying to follow Christ. You need adults in your life who care about your soul — not just your grades or your schedule. That kind of community doesn't happen by accident; it happens in a church family.

4) Your Faith Is Yours to Own

At some point, your parents' faith has to become your faith. Church is one of the main places that happens. When you sit under preaching, when you open your Bible in Sunday school, when you hear testimonies and pray with others — God uses all of that to grow something real in your own heart.

To Our Teens at Faith Baptist

We are glad you are here. We believe God has a plan for your life, and we want to walk alongside you as you discover it. Don't drift through these years — dig in. Come to Faith Teens. Bring a friend. Let this be the place where your faith gets roots.

Learn more about Faith Teens Ministry
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From this Author: Nick Brunoni
September 29, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Faith Teens October Newsletter
Dear Parents, This past month, we had the opportunity to take our 10th–12th graders to a Youth Rally in Newington, CT. Throughout the weekend, our teens were challenged from Matthew 7 to consider what they are searching for and where they are looking to find it. It was a great opportunity to spend time with this group, invest in them, and challenge them in their walk with God. We were also encouraged to see our teens take part in Friend Day. Multiple teens invited and brought their friends to church. It was great to see our teens wanting to invite their friends to church. We are praying for God to build our Youth Ministry. As we look ahead to this upcoming month, we are excited to have a special activity planned for our 7th–9th graders. We will be taking them to Camp Calvary for a night of harvest-themed activities, including a corn maze, hayride, games, s’mores, and a bonfire. Upcoming Schedule Harvest Fest- October 2nd (Hosted by Camp Calvary) 7th–9th graders are invited to join us for the Harvest Fest hosted by Camp Calvary, on October 2. We'll leave the church at 5:00 PM and return by Midnight. The cost is $15.SIGN-UP HERE Scarf & Barf- October 18th All 7th–12th graders are invited to join us for Scarf & Barf, a fast-food scavenger hunt designed to bring our teens together for a fun and competitive night. Throughout the evening, teens will have to figure out the correct food item at each restaurant and race to finish it. It will be a fun night of competition, teamwork, and fun with their youth group. Since this event falls on a school night, we will start promptly at 6:30 PM and finish at 8:30 PM. We want our students to enjoy some time together while still getting home at a reasonable time to prepare for the school week ahead. Cost: $10. Have Questions? Contact Bro. Nick Brunoni Cell #: 267.969.0156 - Email: nbrunoni@fbcfh.com

Nick Brunoni

Assistant Pastor

September 22, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Your Average Sunday, May Be Someone’s Breakthrough
For those who serve faithfully week after week, or fill the same seat and greet the same familiar faces, a Sunday can begin to feel routine. The order of service becomes familiar. The rhythm is comfortable. It can become simply another Sunday. But not everyone who walks through those doors is carrying that same level of comfort. For some, coming this Sunday will be a breakthrough. The one who hasn’t come through a church door in years, finally walking back in. The one who has never once heard the gospel clearly, hearing it for the first time. The wanderer, sick of running, finally coming home. For others, this Sunday is a victory of obedience. The believer who has struggled to be faithful, choosing to show up anyway. The one who has wrestled with sin, coming forward at last to lay it at the altar. The quiet person who has known for weeks they needed to be baptized, or join in membership, or serve, and this week finally said yes to the Lord. None of these moments look dramatic from the outside. No one else in the room may even notice. But heaven takes notice. Consider the words of the Christ: Luke 15:10, Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. And consider the father who ran to meet his returning son: Luke 15:20, But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. What looks ordinary to us may be the very moment God has been working toward for years in someone else's heart. A Few Ways to Watch for the Breakthrough Around You Look for the unfamiliar face. A warm greeting may be the very thing that confirms they made the right choice in coming. Recognize the quiet victories. Not every breakthrough is loud. Sometimes it is simply someone choosing faithfulness over comfort, one more week. Do not let familiarity dull your gratitude. Ask the Lord to give you fresh eyes for what He is doing, even on an "ordinary" Sunday. Be ready to encourage the step of obedience. A brief word after the service may be exactly what someone needs to keep walking forward. A Few Things to Guard Against Do not assume you know someone's story. A quiet face or an awkward greeting may be masking real courage. Give grace before you form an opinion. Do not let cliques close the door on a newcomer. Familiar friendships are a blessing, but they can unintentionally exclude the very person who needed to be welcomed. Do not treat a visitor's presence as an opportunity to "sell" the church. Genuine care is felt. A performance is also felt. Do not make a big return or a first-time step feel like a spectacle. Some breakthroughs need quiet encouragement, not a spotlight. Do not assume someone will come back next week. Follow up. Many who leave without a kind word or a next step simply do not return. Every Sunday carries the potential to be someone's breakthrough and someone's victory of obedience. May we never grow so accustomed to gathering together that we miss what the Lord is doing in the hearts around us.

Nick Brunoni

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September 9, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Faith Teens September Newsletter
Dear Parents, It’s a new school year! We are praying for our teens as they kick off this new year, and recently our team stopped by—or tried to stop by :)—the homes of all of our faithful teens before school to drop off a care package. We are thankful for each of them and excited about what God is going to do in their lives this year. Our ladies also baked over 400 cookies for our local police department. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve and show appreciation to those in our community. Our Wednesday schedule is also updating this month. Starting today, Wednesday, September 9, Teen Soulwinning will be from 4:15–6:30 PM, giving our teens an opportunity to go out and invite people to church. Then, beginning Wednesday, September 16, we will begin our Wednesday Night Bible Study for our teens at 7:00 PM. I’m looking forward to seeing how God uses this new school year. There are a lot of opportunities ahead for our teens to grow in their faith, build relationships, serve others, and invite their friends to be part of what God is doing through Faith Teens. Upcoming Schedule Harvest Fest- October 2nd (Hosted by Camp Calvary) 7th–9th graders are invited to join us for the Harvest Fest hosted by Camp Calvary, on October 2. We'll leave the church at 5:00 PM and return by Midnight. The cost is $15.SIGN-UP HERE Have Questions? Contact Bro. Nick Brunoni Cell #: 267.969.0156 - Email: nbrunoni@fbcfh.com

Nick Brunoni

Assistant Pastor

July 27, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Faith Teens August Newsletter
Dear Parents, It’s hard to believe we’re already wrapping up another great summer event. This past week, over 25 of our teens served alongside four church plants in three different cities during our Northeast Missions Trip. One of the biggest highlights for me was watching our students serve with joy and boldly invite people to church. It was encouraging to see God growing their faith and giving them confidence to share Christ. As we head into the school year, we're excited to kick off our Teen Discipleship series this Wednesday at 4:00 PM. I also want to highlight our Northeast Rally in September. Because the rally is about five hours away, it will take place Thursday–Friday this year, and students will miss two days of school. We can provide school excuse letters if needed. We only have 12 spots available, so if your teen would like to attend, I encourage you to sign up soon. Last year's rally was a tremendous encouragement to those who went, and we're looking forward to another great year. Upcoming Schedule Summer Discipleship- Begins Wednesday, July 29th This Wednesday we're kicking off our Teen Discipleship series! As we get ready for the new school year, we're going to spend the next four weeks looking at Four Lessons Every Teen Should Hear. We'll meet here at the church for games, snacks, fellowship, and a Bible lesson. We're looking forward to a great few weeks together and hope your teen can make it! Northeast Rally (Hosted by Emmanuel Baptist Church) 10th–12th graders are invited to join us for the Northeast Rally in Newington, CT, on September 17–18. We'll leave the church at 10:30 AM Thursday and return by 8:00 PM Friday. The cost is $110. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon!SIGN-UP HERE Have Questions? Contact Bro. Nick Brunoni Cell #: 267.969.0156 - Email: nbrunoni@fbcfh.com

Nick Brunoni

Assistant Pastor

July 4, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Faith Teens July Newsletter
Dear Parents, It’s hard to believe it is already July, and our road trip to Pensacola Christian College and Teen Camp has already come and gone. Our week at camp was incredibly encouraging, with over 1,200 teens in attendance. Our students did an outstanding job throughout the entire experience—from the 18-hour car ride to adjusting to a new environment with so many teens at one camp. We truly saw God work in the hearts of our young people. Our goal in Faith Teens is not simply to provide experiences like camp, but to build a community of like-minded young people who are growing in their faith and learning to serve God together. As we move forward from camp and continue what God has started in our students’ lives, we are looking ahead to our next opportunity to serve together. Below, you will find details for our upcoming Northeast Mission Trip. Upcoming Schedule Northeast Mission Trip- July 20-23, 2026 Parents, we are just two weeks away from our Northeast Missions Trip, and we're looking forward to a great week together! Throughout the week, we'll be serving alongside local churches in three different cities over three days, allowing our teens the opportunity to make a difference in each community. The cost for the trip is $65, which includes admission to our Thursday fun day at Six Flags but does not include meals. Please have your teen bring money for food each day or pack a lunch. Sign-up HereDownload Trip Itinerary Summer Discipleship - Starting Wednesday, July 29, 2026 All 7th-12th graders are invited to a four-week discipleship program, taking place every Wednesday. We will meet in the Activity Center at 4 pm for games, snacks, and a Bible lesson. Have Questions? Contact Bro. Nick Brunoni Cell #: 267.969.0156 - Email: nbrunoni@fbcfh.com

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Assistant Pastor

June 3, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
Faith Teens June Newsletter
Dear Parents, Over the last month, we have been working hard at our Teen Work Days, which have been a huge success resulting in our students raising over $2,000 towards camp. Upcoming Schedule 90’s Night - Friday, June 5, 2026 All 7th–12th graders are invited to our 90’s Night! Come dressed in your best 90’s outfit—winner receives a prize. We’ll be heading to Hot Wheelz and Bowling after our service. Bring money for dinner. Departure: 5:00 PM from the church Return: Midnight Cost: $30 per teenSign-Up Teen Extreme Summer Camp - June 20-27, 2026 Parents, we are just two weeks away from Summer Camp and are looking forward to a great week together! On Sunday, June 7th, your teen will receive an updated itinerary and camp cost. Payment can be made by cash, check (written out to Faith Baptist Church), or online HERE (please mark as events).Download Trip Itinerary Be sure to reference the Camp Dress Code while you're packing! Getting Excited! Watch the recap video for 2025 Teen Extreme Camp HERE! Northeast Mission Trip - July 20-23, 2026 Have Questions? Contact Bro. Nick Brunoni Cell #: 267.969.0156 - Email: nbrunoni@fbcfh.com

Nick Brunoni

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May 14, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
How the Bus Ministry Works — A Guide for New Riders
Have you heard about the Bus Ministry at Faith Baptist Church but weren't sure exactly how it works? This is a quick, simple guide to help you know what to expect. What Is the Bus Ministry? The Bus Ministry is one of the ways Faith Baptist Church reaches out to the community. We believe that every child deserves to hear the Gospel and the Word of God, and we know that not every family has a way to get to church on Sunday morning. So we come to them. Our buses travel through the local area each Sunday to pick up children and bring them to church — free of charge. Who Leads It? The Bus Ministry is led by Brother Nick Brunoni and his wife, Kisha. Bro. Nick and his family have been faithfully serving at Faith Baptist since 2015, and they and their team are dedicated to reaching people with the truth of the gospel. They are supported by a team of committed volunteers who love kids and take this ministry seriously. What Happens When Your Child Rides? Here's the simple flow of a Bus Ministry Sunday: The bus comes to your neighborhood at a set time and picks up your child. All riders are supervised by workers on the bus. When your child arrives at Faith Baptist, they are taken to a children's Sunday school class that is designed just for them — with songs, games, and a Bible lesson taught in an age-appropriate way. After the service, the bus brings your child back home, and our workers will walk them to your front door and make sure they are safely returned to a parent. Is It Safe? Safety is a priority. Our workers are vetted, trained, and committed to caring for every child as if they were their own. You can trust that your child will be in a safe, encouraging environment the entire time. How Do I Sign Up? If you'd like to get your child on the bus route, or if you have questions, we'd love to connect with you. We'd love to have your child with us this Sunday!Request Information

Nick Brunoni

Assistant Pastor

May 13, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Faith Teens May Newsletter
Dear Parents, Last week, we kicked off our Teen Work Days, which will continue through the end of the month. Each Wednesday, our teens will have at least three job opportunities as we work together to help lower the cost of camp for everyone. This coming Saturday, we’ll be doing car detailing, and there are still spots available for anyone who would like to sign up. Please help spread the word. I also wanted to clarify a few details for our Graduate Sunday on May 31st. During the 11:00 service, we will have a special time to honor our seniors and their families. Following the service, lunch will be provided for our FaithTeens and their families as we come together to celebrate our seniors. How to Sign Up: To help us prepare, please click HERE to sign up for Car Detailing! Upcoming Schedule Graduation Sunday - May 31, 2026 Join us for Graduation Sunday as we celebrate the Class of 2026! Let’s come together as a church family to honor our graduates and rejoice in their hard work and accomplishments. Don’t miss this special service as we recognize them and pray over their future. Lunch for all FaithTeens and their families will follow. 90’s Night - Friday, June 5, 2026 All 7th–12th graders are invited to our 90’s Night! Come dressed in your best 90’s outfit—winner receives a prize. We’ll be heading to Skate Plex and Bowling after our service. Bring money for dinner. Departure: 5:30 PM from the church Return: Midnight Cost: $30 per teenSign-Up Teen Extreme Summer Camp - June 20-27, 2026 Parents, we are a little over a month away from camp! We are looking forward to a great week together. If you have any questions, please contact me directly. An updated itinerary will be coming soon. Have Questions? Contact Bro. Nick Brunoni Cell #: 267.969.0156 - Email: nbrunoni@fbcfh.com

Nick Brunoni

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May 13, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Why Church Matters When You're a Teenager
Let's be honest — Sunday morning isn't always the easiest time to be a teenager. There are late Saturday nights, comfortable beds, and a hundred other things pulling at your attention. So why bother? Why does church actually matter during these years? Here's the truth: the teen years are some of the most important years of your life, not just for your future — but for your faith. 1) You're Making Decisions That Shape Everything The choices you make between 13 and 19 — who you spend time with, what you believe, how you handle hard things — lay a foundation that carries into adulthood. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Church isn't just something to do — it's one of God's primary means of building that foundation in your life. 2) You Need More Than Just Good Advice The world is full of voices telling teenagers what to think, who to be, and what to value. Social media, friends, entertainment — none of it is neutral. You need the Word of God and a community of people who are anchored to it. Psalm 119:9 asks, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" The answer? "By taking heed thereto according to thy word." Church is where you get that Word — consistently, week after week. 3) You Need People Who Are For You One of the gifts God gives through the local church is relationships. You need older Christians who have walked through hard things and come out on the other side. You need friends your age who are genuinely trying to follow Christ. You need adults in your life who care about your soul — not just your grades or your schedule. That kind of community doesn't happen by accident; it happens in a church family. 4) Your Faith Is Yours to Own At some point, your parents' faith has to become your faith. Church is one of the main places that happens. When you sit under preaching, when you open your Bible in Sunday school, when you hear testimonies and pray with others — God uses all of that to grow something real in your own heart. To Our Teens at Faith Baptist We are glad you are here. We believe God has a plan for your life, and we want to walk alongside you as you discover it. Don't drift through these years — dig in. Come to Faith Teens. Bring a friend. Let this be the place where your faith gets roots.Learn more about Faith Teens Ministry

Nick Brunoni

Assistant Pastor