GSLC fosters a nurturing environment for youth by emphasizing:

Regular worship
Regular attendance helps youth build resilient relationships—both with one another and with the church campus as a second home.

Community and social justice involvement
Youth learn the way of Christ by living the way of Christ, through active participation in service and justice.

GSLC also recognizes the pace and fatigue of family life, and that faith formation for youth too often relies on gendered labor. With these realities in mind, GSLC offers the following opportunities for kids:

Opportunities for Kids

  • For children birth through age 4, located in the Narthex just outside the sanctuary. Families are welcome to stay or come and go as needed.

  • Children’s Church is open to kids of all ages during worship. Sundays start with outdoor play, then kids split into two groups—1st grade and under, and 2nd grade and up—for a Bible story, conversation, and a hands-on activity like a craft or game. A simple prayer closes the time before kids return to the sanctuary for communion.

    Children’s Church centers three things:

    • Belonging — every child is welcomed and has a place.

    • Belief — children explore God’s word and world with curiosity.

    • Becoming — children learn to follow Christ’s way of love and compassion.

  • Open Doors grew out of the Queer Camp community and meets on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., beginning with a free community meal. The gathering is completely secular and unstructured; after dinner, youth and their caregivers can connect, relax, play games, make art, or spend time together. Open Doors is a consistent, welcoming space where 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their caregivers can show up as they are and know they belong

  • Open to all teens in grades 7–12, this year-long program (September–May) combines service, reflection, and leadership. Participants choose where to volunteer, with support available to find opportunities, and gather monthly after worship for coffee or bubble tea to share what they’re learning. Together they explore how service shapes faith and vocation and plan a group project. Documented service hours may be applied toward Arkansas requirements.

  • Queer Camp is a week-long day camp held every July for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, ages 12–18. Queer Camp is safe and joyful space where campers can have fun, build friendships, and know they are celebrated, loved, and valued without fear of judgment.