CORE
CORE is our student ministry program for middle school and high school students. Our vision for ministry is to be an encouraging community of disciples sent to build the kingdom of God. We exist to have a fun, encouraging, and discipleship-oriented environment for all students.
What to Expect
Sundays
Both middle and high school meet on Sundays at 10:30 AM in the Core Cafe, where we have snacks, games, teaching, community, table discussions, and, of course, candy. We have awesome teachers and table leaders who will help our students think deeper about their faith and how to practically apply it to their lives and their spheres of influence. Our purpose for Sundays is to be a learning environment that equips and challenges students with the essentials to be a committed disciple maker beyond high school.
March 2 | Family Forum (No Middle School Sunday CORE)
Wednesdays
Middle and high school students meet from 6:45 to 8:45 PM on Wednesdays, but in different locations within Hershey Free Church. We have an awesome cafe (check out our chocolate chip cookies), games, chill spaces, dynamic speakers and small group leaders, and a whole lot of fun. The first Wednesday of each month, each small group meets in a local home during our normal meeting time. Our groups get to play games, engage in discipleship in deeper ways, and go through an inductive Bible study that has relevant application to their lives. We call these meetings our Home Groups. Our purpose for Wednesdays is to be a fun environment that develops deep relationships, engages students on their faith journey, and seeks to pursue God's way of living.
Grocery Cards
Grocery Cards for Giant and Karns
Earn money for student trips by purchasing grocery gift cards for Giant or Karns! For each gift card purchased, 5% of the total will be added to a student account for future CORE trips (including Winterblast and summer mission trips). Cards are available in $50 or $100 denominations and can be purchased by cash or check. Grocery cards can be picked up from Deb Webster in the receptionist office during business hours.
Upcoming Activities
Family Forum | March 2 | 10:30 AM | Auditorium
Stand Strong - Part 2
We encourage parents and students in grades 4-8 to hang out together and engage in conversation related to pertinent topics during the 10:30 AM service. We want parents to feel empowered and have resources to continue faithfully leading their family. The morning’s discussion will center around Daniel and his three friends refraining from eating choice foods that are offered to them. We look forward to seeing you there!
CORE Summer Trips 2025
This summer we will be taking two trips which will run at the same time:
1. Camp Orchard Hill Mission Week - July 6-12
2. Hazard, Kentucky - July 6-12
Camp Orchard Hill Quick Info: The cost for Camp Orchard Hill Mission Week is $725. We will travel via personal vehicles to camp on Sunday, July 6, and participate in missional opportunities throughout the week. Two-thirds of our time at camp each day will be focused on serving missionally in the greater Dallas, PA area and the remaining time will focus on a traditional camp experience. This missional experience is something that Hershey Free Church was instrumental in helping to develop at COH and we are so excited to be partnering with them again. This trip is open to any current middle school and high school students, but it is limited to 25 spots.
Hazard, KY Quick Info: The cost for Hazard, Kentucky is $775. We will travel via personal vehicles to Hazard, KY on Sunday, July 6. We will continue to assist our partners at ReachGlobal Crisis Response in helping the community of Hazard, Kentucky rebuild and heal after devastating flooding that came through their community. This will be our third year taking students to Hazard, and we are excited to see how God continues to use our students and Hershey Free Church to love and minister to others. This trip is open to only current sophomores through seniors (2024-2025 school year), and it is limited to 14 spots due to space at our host facility.