Abide With Us Builds Community, Faith and Purpose for Walton County Teens

By Michelle Ruschman

If your middle schooler or high schooler is looking for a place to find community and serve, Abide with Us ministry at Church at the Bay in Santa Rosa Beach might just be what you’re looking for. Founder and veteran Jeremy Vanhoose, along with his wife, Kacy, and their incredible team, have created a youth movement in Walton County that is rooted in John 15 and passionate about Jesus, community, and living truth. It’s a unique opportunity for local teens to come together, not only to deepen their faith but also to explore questions openly. “We want to bridge the gap, but it’s also meant to be a place where teens who don’t typically go to church on a Sunday can come and just see what the body of Christ is like. We’ve even had teens come from parents who have challenged them to see that God’s not real.”

Abide with Us isn’t looking to replace youth groups, but provide an additional place for students to meet. Whether they are looking for a place to socialize, grow spiritually, or be mentored to lead, teens are welcome. “We have our meetings on a Thursday, because we don’t want to compete with youth groups, which typically meet on a Wednesday. We want our youth to be at church with their parents first, but we did want to offer another outlet for them to be within the body of Christ.”

With so many community youths struggling with a sense of belonging, isolation, and a way to get connected, Abide with Us might be the answer. “God really used my time in the military to prepare me for something much greater.  Being in the service showed me I was responsible for more than just my own life and what it means to be part of something bigger than myself.”

Through Abide With Us, we’re leading a generation facing so much pressure from the distractions that are coming from a hundred different directions. We see them searching for a sense of belonging, the identity and purpose God has for them, even if they can’t explain it. We call these students to a higher standard and challenge them to take responsibility for their actions. We pray that it goes far beyond just inspiring them. We want to help build something inside them that lasts no matter what they face in life.”​

So, what can families expect on a typical Thursday? “Our worship team starts with music, and that can be anywhere between 15 minutes and 45 minutes. We then break into peer-led small groups to discuss the study. Once we return, I will share a message, and then there will be time for fellowship before everyone leaves for the night. We typically go from 6 p.ml to around 8:30 p.m.”

In addition to Thursday gatherings, Abide With Us also leads a community outreach initiative called Project Groundwork. Teams of teens and adults visit neighborhoods throughout the area to ask residents about service and prayer needs within the community.

This August, the ministry will host “Rooted Retreat: Power and Witness” from Aug. 6-9, 2026. The retreat is designed to launch students into the 2026-27 school year grounded in Scripture and equipped to return to their schools with a bold, Spirit-filled faith.

Abide With Us meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Church at the Bay for worship, real conversations and community that feels like family. Organizers describe the atmosphere as laid-back, honest and centered on Jesus. The church is located at 24388 U.S. Highway 331 S. in Santa Rosa Beach.

The ministry also hosts Stand Firm Saturdays — separate Bible studies for guys and girls held the first Saturday of every month. Students walk through a chapter of the Bible together, discuss what it means to live for Jesus and build community through fellowship and shared activities.

If your family or business would like to get involved, visit www.abidewith.us. Jeremy can also be reached by emailing hello@abidewith.us or calling him directly at 615-809-6065.

Michelle Ruschman is a local artist, speaker, and writer. She can be reached at michelleruschman@gmail.com or michelleruschman.com.