About

Find answers to all your Powerhouse related questions here!

General Questions

What is Powerhouse?
Where is Powerhouse?
I keep hearing about Large Group. What is that?
What is a Small Group?
When and where does Powerhouse meet?
When does Powerhouse end each Sunday?
When does Powerhouse Meet on Wednesdays?
What camps/events does Powerhouse have?
How do I volunteer to become a part of Powerhouse?

Parent Questions

Can a parent be a Small Group Leader of his or her student?
How can I, as a parent, get involved with Powerhouse?
How is my student’s Small Group Leader or group chosen?
Can my student bring a friend to Powerhouse?
What if my student doesn’t have a small group, yet?
My student has expressed a desire to be baptized. What is the process for Powerhouse students?


General Questions

What is Powerhouse?
Powerhouse is the dynamic environment where middle school students (6th-8th grade) gather to explore their relationship with Christ and others. We meets in The Powerhouse during the 9:30 a.m. Temple and  services. There is nothing stale about this gathering! Your middle school student will swiftly discover why hundreds enthusiastically return each week to explore faith, friendships and accountability.

Where is Powerhouse?
Powerhouse is at ABT: Home of the Bridge and Temple. It’s located right inside door 6A.
The address is 2324 Manchester Road, Akron, Ohio 44314 United States

I keep hearing about Large Group. What is that?
Powerhouse impacts your student through two environments every Sunday. One of these is Large Group on the carpet, where all 6th-8th grade students first meet to interact in zany team games, and learn from inspirational speakers. The goal of Large Group is to set up fun and meaningful discussions during Small Group.

What is a Small Group?
Small groups provide the fuel that drives students to make good choices during each week. Ideally led by two adult leaders and a high-school mentor, each small group includes students from the same middle-school grade, geographic area and gender. This gives them the opportunity to grow a group of Christian friends close to home for added encouragement and accountability. Students enjoy getting together outside of church with their Small Group Leaders and small groups for additional fun, community service and personal/spiritual growth. Our goal is for each small group to remain together for the duration of middle school. On occasion, a group that grows too large will be multiplied to keep relationships personal. But, don’t worry – friends and old leaders are always around!

When and where does Middle School Ministries meet?
Middle School Ministries meet in Powerhouse Door 6A.

Sunday morning at 9:30am-10:30am

Wednesday night at 6:15pm-8:00pm

When does Powerhouse end each Sunday?
Students typically get out of small group a few minutes before the Bridge Service at 10:45. However, since conversations are geared to help students explore issues important to them, Powerhouse does not have an official time to end. Each group wraps up discussion at its own pace.

When does Powerhouse Meet on Wednesdays?
Powerhouse Starts 6:30PM on Wednesday Night, Doors open @ 6:00PM and Students can begin arriving for an incredibly fun activity filled Night! This night is capped off with a Relevant Talk, and Ends at 8:00PM. Students need to be picked up by 8:15.

What camps/events does Powerhouse have?
Click HERE to go to our Events page.

How do I volunteer to become a part of Powerhouse?
When you look at the beaming faces in Powerhouse, you see far more than middle schoolers. You also see dozens of energetic adults and high school students who were once in your shoes – wanting to jump in, yet wondering whether they had time or energy to commit to mentoring. They discovered what you will soon recognize – our volunteers aren’t here to merely help. The relationships they form become their ministry and swiftly a treasured priority. In fact, small group leaders engage with the same students for the entire three-year duration of middle school – laughing, listening and leading. We’re delighted you want to become part of the reason that middle schoolers love Powerhouse! For more information, click HERE.

Parent Questions

Can a parent be a Small Group Leader of his or her student?
Becoming a Small Group Leader is a ton of fun and an exciting way to stay engaged with your own middle school student. We absolutely encourage parents to become Small Group Leaders – and, with our swiftly expanding student ranks, we need you! – but we do not permit parents to lead their own children during Powerhouse. Some students need more space than others and are far more likely to be candid in small group discussions about life’s challenges when parents are not present. We’ll help find the best fit for you, as well as the right place to maximize your student’s experience in Powerhouse.

How can I, as a parent, get involved with Powerhouse?
We’re glad you asked! There are lots of ways to share in the fun, even as you experience your own spiritual growth through serving! You can start by asking your student’s Small Group Leader how you can support them. Offer to set up a trip, provide transportation to an outing, host a gathering or even send them an encouraging note. Any time you can provide the leader an opportunity to just hang out with your students, ministry is happening. If you still want to do more, consider contributing as a Small Group Leader, Host Team, Kitchen Team, or Event Volunteer! For more information, click HERE.

How is my student’s Small Group Leader or group chosen?
Small Group Leaders volunteer to participate and then go through, Kid Safe, and an Interview/Approval process before being selected to lead students. We group all students school district and gender.

Can my student bring a friend to Powerhouse?
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. Powerhouse is designed to be fun Fun FUN and inspirational for every middle school student! We’re thrilled when your student is so excited about what he or she is experiencing at church that it has to be shared! Middle school is a critical stretch, when relationships can begin to get messy and emotionally challenging and growing spiritual strength now will influence choices that matter!

What if my student doesn’t have a small group, yet?
Following Large Group, your student will go to the front of the carpet to learn more about Powerhouse and find a Small group.

My student has expressed a desire to be baptized. What is the process for Powerhouse students?
That’s awesome! We’re excited with you!  Check in at the Info Station to see when the next class is scheduled.