General Information

What is Ignition?

Ignition is the high school ministry (grades 9-12) of Lutheran Church of Hope and exists to reach students with the everlasting love of Jesus Christ. It is composed of two parts: a Worship Gathering (5:00-6:00 pm) and House Groups (6:30-8:00 pm). 

When does Ignition meet?

Sunday nights from 5:00-8:00 pm.

Where does Ignition meet?

Worship Gathering: Room 130 at Lutheran Church of Hope

House Groups: Various homes throughout the community (Waukee, West Des Moines and Urbandale). Please see the House Group page for more information regarding House Group locations.

How does a new student get involved?

New students are encouraged to check in at the welcome table outside of Room 130. From here a member of the hospitality team will happily field any questions and help connect the student with leaders and other students. Our intent is that new students are personally invited to participate in a House Group after the Worship Gathering that evening. Students are not required to attend a House Group, but it is an excellent way to connect with other students in a meaningful way.

How can adults be involved as volunteers?

There are a ton of different ways to be involved with Ignition from leading a small group to coordinating parents for the weekly House Group meal.  For a comprehensive list of opportunities please check out our Student Ministry Volunteer page.

Worship Gathering

What is the Ignition Worship Gathering?

The Worship Gathering provides students with the opportunity to join in worship with their peers. It is not meant to replace the Lutheran Church of Hope weekend service, but rather to supplement it through covering culturally relevant topics in a Christ-Centered way. It is composed of elements such as singing, video, games, and Biblical teaching. 

Why does the Ignition Worship Gathering exist?

The Worship Gathering exists to provide students with the opportunity to gather weekly as a community of Christ followers from across the Des Moines area. The intention of the Worship Gathering is to provide a safe space in which students can worship God in creative and challenging ways, alongside students they normally may have never encountered in daily life.

When is the Ignition Worship Gathering?

Sunday nights from 5:00-6:00 pm

Where does the Ignition Worship Gathering meet?

Room 130 at Lutheran Church of Hope

House Groups

What are Ignition House Groups?

House Groups are medium-sized groups of high school students and adult leaders that meet in the homes of Lutheran Church of Hope attendees throughout the community.

When do Ignition House Groups meet?

House Groups meet immediately after the Worship Gathering from 6:30-8:00 pm.

What happens at House Groups?

From 6:30-6:50 pm House Groups share dinner together. Dinner is provided by parents and offers the unique opportunity for fellowship with a variety of students from different grades and area schools. From 6:55-8:00 pm students meet throughout the host home in small groups. Small groups are separated by gender and typically by year in school. Each small group is typically 6-8 people in size and is led by a trained adult leader using curriculum based on the weekly Worship Gathering.   

How do I know which House Group to join?

The House Group a student joins is based on the school he or she attends. The division of House Groups by school exists to help foster lasting relationships within the community the student lives. This format is not ideal for all students and it is hoped that if a student chooses to join a different House Group he or she will be committed to attending it rather than jumping from one House Group to another each week.  

How are students transported to House Group?

For students who choose to join a House Group, it is up to each family to determine how their student will be transported to House Group each week.

Much like we cannot regulate how a student is transported to Ignition each Sunday, we cannot regulate how a student is transported to House Group. With two distinct Ignition events occurring each Sunday, it is challenging to know which students are leaving the Worship Gathering to return home and which students are leaving to attend House Group.

We encourage parents to discuss thoroughly with their student acceptable forms of transportation. As a ministry, we will never advocate or encourage students to ride with other students or volunteer leaders under the age of 25. With this in mind, if a parent is not comfortable with their student driving or riding with other students or volunteer leaders, it is up to the parent to discuss this with him or her.

For convenience, maps and directions are available on the Ignition web site as well as at the Ignition welcome table at the Worship Gathering. A shuttle bus is also available for students who need a ride to House Group (students need to arrange for their ride to pick them up at their House Group location at 8:00 pm).

Events

Does Ignition have any summer camps?

Yes. For the past few summers we have traveled to Panama City, Fl for BigStuf Camp. It is a week-long adventure that includes joining with 1,500 other students from across the country to sing, listen to nationally-known speakers, engage in meaningful Christ-centered dialog and relax on the beach. For more information check out: www.bigstuf.com and look on our events page for more information and registration this winter. 

Does Ignition go on any mission trips?

Yes. Each summer we invite incoming grade 9 students to join us for our GO! Mission Trip. This is a weekend mission trip that randomly assigns students to travel to either to Kansas City, Omaha or the Twin Cities with their destination being revealed once they are on the road. While in each city, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of projects such as construction work, soup kitchens, homeless outreach and prayer walks, as well as attend Sunday worship at a local church. Students entering grades 11 or 12 are able to apply to serve as Student Leaders for this trip as well.

Students also have the opportunity to travel to Gallup, NM for Mission Navajo. During this week long trip students work on a Navajo Reservation performing construction work, promoting Vacation Bible School, ministering to high school students and engaging in prayer and meaningful conversation. In the past students also enjoyed hiking, a Jeep tour and learning about local culture.  

Are there any events during the school year?

Yes. Every April Ignition participates in the 30-Hour Famine. The 30-Hour Famine is a World Vision event and exists to help raise money and awareness for the millions of starving children living in the world’s poorest countries. During this event students go 30 hours without food in order to experience the hunger of the children they are helping support. Throughout the event students participate in a variety of community service projects; build a box-city to sleep in, engage in meaningful dialog, and spend time in prayer and reflection with God.

Are these events chaperoned?

Yes. All Ignition events are chaperoned by Student Ministry staff as well as trained adult volunteers.

How can I sign up for these events?

Online registration is available for all Ignition events. Event registrations are posted periodically throughout the year; check out the event page for event registrations currently available.