PARENTS
We want to be a resource not only for students, but for parents as well. Too often, students ministries fail to realize that partnership with parents is the key to seeing any sort of breakthrough with teens. We seek to be a help and a strength for you as a parent as you raise your teens, and we are here to support you in any way we possibly can. You may be a parent who is struggling with a teen who is involved in a terrible relationship, battling an addiction, or in the middle of rebellion. If that’s the case, know that Greg and Zach are on your team and are ready and willing to help. We are right beside you in the trenches and we desire to see your teen live a life that glorifies God in every way. We desire to see our teens have a passion for Christ, and to live out that passion. The way that happens most effectively is when we as pastors and adult leaders come behind you as a parent in full support. That’s why we’re here.
Always feel free to contact Greg or Zach if you have any need, concern, or opportunity for us to minister.
PASTOR GREGcell – 931.526.6900
Connect with Greg! |
PASTOR ZACHcell – 931.267.5002
Connect with Zach! |
frequently asked questions
Who is the gredEDGE affiliated with?
The grEDGE is a unique partnership in which Cookeville First Assembly and The Grove (Poplar Grove Baptist Church) have come together to impact the students of the Upper Cumberland in an unprecedented way. This partnership started in 2009 and God has absolutely done some incredible things since then. The student pastors are Greg Canada(CFA) and Zach Buckner(The Grove). Bobby Davis is the senior pastor at CFA and Bobby Sebastian is the senior pastor at The Grove.
Our students truly are ONE in the heart and passion to reach their classmates and schools for Christ. You have to come check out what God is doing!
Where is the grEDGE located?
The Edge located on the corner of 22nd and Washington. THe campus is directly beside Cookeville High School.
When is the grEDGE open?
The grEDGE is open every Wednesday from 3pm-8:30pm when school is in session.
When school is NOT is session, or if it were canceled because of weather we will open at 5pm-9pm. Our service begins at 6:15pm.
The EDGE is also host to the Cookeville Community Tutoring clinic which is free to any student in 9th-12th grade. The tutoring meets every Tuesday from 3:30pm-5:30pm.
What is my student being taught?
We teach the Bible to be the infallible Word of God. We believe Jesus is the only way to Heaven. We encourage each parent to stop in and listen on some Wednesday nights to make sure that we are presenting your student with a message that lines up with the word of God. Parents are ALWAYS welcome and invited to come! Also, be sure to check out our podcasts here on the site to hear what your student hears each week…
I don’t like the “large youth group” concept. How can my student receive individual attention?
We hate the idea of any student getting lost in the shuffle. That’s why there are many ways we make sure each student that comes to our student ministry functions receives personal and focused attention.
The first and most exciting way is our connect group ministry. Each Wednesday before main service, connect groups meet from 5:15-6:00pm. These groups are small in size (10-15 students) and are the central points of personal contact on a weekly basis. This small group time has proven time and time again to be one of the keys for students rowing in Christ. We have adult leaders who are there for them every week and are passionate about being a rock and an encouragement for our students.
In addition to connect groups, we have a team of 20+ adult leaders who are all around students and ready to minister in any way. Greg and Zach are also ready and willing to meet with students for personal counseling as well.
How is my student supervised?
We have an amazing and dedicated adult leadership team of 20+ adults that arrive on our campus every week and they monitor all of the students. We pride ourselves in making sure that your student is safe while on our campus. Each of our adult leaders has gone through background checks in order to confirm their ability to work with minors. We have a policy that no student is to be left alone with the opposite sex or with any adult at anytime. But our adult leaders are more than just chaperones, these are adults who love the students, and are investing in their lives on a weekly basis. We are so excited to have such a tremendous team of adults each and every week.
My student wants to go on the trip but we can’t afford it.
We have scholarship opportunities available for any and every trip. You can download the scholarship application here. You can either drop it off or send it with your student on a Wednesday night.
How can I get involved with the EDGE?
In order to work in our adult leadership team we require that you attend The Grove or CFA regularly. We have stident ministry applications at each of our churches that you must fill out and check “youth”. After you have completed this application, we will contact you for a meeting were we will discuss areas of interest and opportunities for your involvement. We would for you to get involved in what we are doing at the grEDGE!!