RC Students is a ministry geared towards the discipleship and spiritual development of students in grades 6-12.
We strive to help students…
GROW
We aim to help students grow individually, relationally, and spiritually as they explore and learn what it means to follow Jesus.
SERVE
We want our students to learn that faith is not only about what you believe but your response to the beliefs. Our beliefs should spur us to loving our neighbors, serving those in need, and leading with forgiveness and compassion. Our students are provided opportunities to focus on the needs of others and led to draw near to those in need or who are suffering.
BELONG
We want all students to know that no matter who they are, where they’re from, what they look like, who they love, or what they believe, they have a seat at our table. Our gatherings are a place to feel comfortable and safe for all.
Rhythms & Gatherings
HUDDLES
Once a week, we host a virtual space on Zoom that provides a weekly check-in with the students and focuses 100% on discipleship. In these weekly Zoom “Huddles”, we read scripture, ask and answer questions, figure things out together, and pray.
Our Huddles run from 8-9 PM.
RETREATS
Every year, once a year, RC Student leadership takes all students on a “retreat”. This is a way for the students to unplug, have time away from normal rhythms, schedules, and activities, and grow closer to each other and to Jesus. We have done weekend retreats and camping trips in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia and everytime the students leave energized, poured into spiritually, and full of amazing memories!
SOCIALS
Several times per month, we host a social gathering that serves as a space for students to relax, be themselves, have fun, connect with one another, and with adults who are not their parents :) Social activities may include board game nights, outdoor movie nights, glow-in-the-dark capture the flag, water slides, holiday parties, and much more. These gatherings are great opportunities to bring friends and get to know us a little bit better. These events run from 7-9PM every other Friday night.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
As mentioned above, one of our core values is to serve others. We plan 4-5 service opportunities per year for the students, not only to teach them the value of serving others but to also help them fulfill their Student Service Learning hours requirement (SSL). RC Students have served at food pantries, immigrant and refugee ministries, and more.
RC Student Leadership
RC Students is led by Ian and Andrea Howard. Ian and Andrea live in Silver Spring with their three children and previously lived in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh before settling in the DMV in 2016. They enjoy raising their three kids in Silver Spring, MD.
Ian has worked as a pastor at Restore Church since 2018. Ian grew up in the church and is dedicated to spending his life seeking God’s kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven. He earned his undergraduate degree in Sports Administration from the University of Cincinnati and had a career in sports, working for the Cincinnati Bengals and University of Cincinnati Bearcats before hearing the call to ministry. He answered that call and joined the staff at Restore. While at Restore, Ian earned his Masters of Arts in Christian Ministry from Northern Seminary. He loves ALL competitions, pizza, fruit snacks, most Batman films, Detroit sports, and music- specifically singing and dancing :)
Andrea’s formative years were shaped by her own experiences in youth ministry. She was ordained alongside Ian in 2021 at Restore Church and relishes her time connecting with and mentoring students. She truly has a heart for families and teens and wants to see them thrive and flourish relationally, emotionally, and spiritually. She loves game shows, reading mysteries, eating popcorn, and spending any time she can with her kids. In her day job, Andrea is a psychologist who works with children and adolescents.