Everything we do in the High School Ministry has one purpose: Making Disciples! The disciples that walked with Jesus were people who changed their world for the sake of the Gospel. 

In Matthew 28:19-20 we are also called to “make disciples”! For us, that means more than simply planning events and giving students a fun and safe place for them to hang out. While those things are part of what we do and important, we must meet students where they are, introduce them to Jesus Christ, plug them into caring relationships with other believers who will teach them how to live out God’s Word and then we must teach them that following Christ is a life of service, mission and ministry.

What We Do:

To accomplish this, we unapologetically put much of our energy and resources into three main High School Ministry environments: Wednesday Night Worship, Sunday Morning Small Group Bible Study (Sunday School) and engaging in Missions & Ministry. Each of these three environments help us meet a strategic and specific need as our students journey through this discipleship process. Parents, we hope each of you will help us “make disciples” by ensuring that your students are plugged into these environments. We believe that our weekly activities are the key to our High School Ministry having the greatest possible impact in or community. Throughout the year we will have several other events and activities. You will find information on most of those events on this page.

Weekly Events

Awaken: Worship | Wednesdays @ 6 pm

The purpose of our Wednesday Night High School service is to expose students to God’s Word and His Gospel. This worship experience starts at 6:00 PM and serves as the “front door” for the High School Ministry of Petal-Harvey Baptist Church. This is the first environment we encourage students to attend when they choose to visit our church. During this time each week, students will always experience engaging worship, a message that is relevant to students and a whole lot of fun. Awaken:Worship is held in the gym.


Awaken: Groups | Sundays @ 9:30 am

This environment is the “next step” we encourage students to take in their involvement with the High School Ministry of Petal-Harvey Baptist Church as they grow in their walk with Christ. The purpose of these groups is to encourage students to encounter God through His Word and equip them to apply God’s Word to their daily lives. During this time each week students will discuss and learn how to apply the truth from God’s Word that they heard during our Wednesday Night Worship experience. These Small Groups currently meet on Sunday Mornings at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall.

Yearly Events

Camp – The biggest event we do all year! Every summer we take off for a week of fun, rockin’ music, and intensive Bible study.


Disciple Now – DNOW is like a retreat at home. Teens break up into groups and stay in local homes with adult leaders, attend an awesome conference at different churches in the city, and have the best discussion groups ever! 


Panther Pride Sunday – On this Sunday, we come to church dressed for success in our best Petal Panther gear. 


Summer Blowout Days – We get together one day a week during the summer for some “quality time” together playing laser tag, kayaking, bowling, and all kinds of other stuff.


Mission Projects – We put hands and feet to our faith several times each year in service projects for the community of Petal and Hattiesburg.


Super Summer -  A  leadership camp that is hosted by the Mississippi Baptist Convention. Super Summer is an application only camp designed to stretch students in their spiritual development. During the week of Super Summer students are exposed to 20 hours of Bible study and worship.