About Us.

We are a small youth group located between Hammonton and Absecon in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. With a vision to make an impact for God in our community and beyond, our main goal is to equip young people to live for Christ first and spread the gospel. This means equipping youth with a deeper knowledge of the Bible, how to study the Bible, and how to teach the Bible.

We host weekly youth group meetings and currently meet at The Pilgrim Academy on Staurday nights from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. In addition to our weekly meetings, we have hosted various events like a summer kids club, holiday events, and game nights. Our youth group trips have included a trampoline park, water park, Sight and Sound Theatre (PA), miniature golfing, bowling, treasure hunt night, nerf wars and many more events/activities that provide a friendly environment for fellowship.

This website has been set up with the purpose of providing encouragement and support to youth and their families. The material provided is relevant and innovative content in order to reach the hearts and minds of youth. Included is an ever expanding resource section with the desire to share helpful sources as the gospel is penetrated to another generation.

Meet the leaders.

Shane Wiggins

Interim Youth Leader

Shane has a passion for serving the Lord and a heart for young people. He has been instrumental in developing growing youth programs for over 30 years. His desire is to see youth grow to maximize their individual potential while consistently relying on God. He currently resides in Hammonton, New Jersey with his wife and family. Shane likes playing basketball, playing golf, and reading.

Deidre Wiggins

Interim Youth Leader's Wife

Deidre is a devoted wife, mother, and full time caretaker. Her goals are to help youth grow to develop a personal relationship with God and be a behind-the-scenes servant. With a giving heart she strives to always give of herself daily for her family to help them be successful in serving the Lord. Some of Deidre's favorite things include working outdoors, reading, and being a homemaker.

Josiah Wiggins

Website and Social Media Coordinator

Josiah is a college basketball coach in Camden, NJ and the Coaching Coordinator of New Jersey and Pennsylvania for Super Soccer Stars. He is passionate about the development of conscious and productive leaders. With a background in social media management and podcast producing he is well equipped to help the youth group team reach new goals through innovative thinking. Josiah enjoys connecting with other coaches, wood working, and playing any sport.

Jacquelynne Wiggins

Content Editor and Event Manager

Jacquelynne is a Human Resources Business Partner over New Jersey and Connecticut in the healthcare industry who enjoys pouring into her team members. She is a firm believer in filling the cup of those around her, so they can go out and pour into others. She brings a unique skillset to our youth group team with a background in business, Lincoln Douglas and Public Forum debating, music, and events coordinating. Jacquelynne loves traveling especially to basketball games with her husband and spending her evenings at the beach.

Alumni Spotlight

Peter Holland

Peter Holland graduated from the Pilgrim Academy in 2014. While in high school, he was an active member of our Youth Group. Peter attended Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida and while there served as class vice president during both his Freshman and Sophomore years. He also completed several political internships during his college career both in Pensacola and Washington, D.C. Now, Peter serves as a legislative staffer for Representative Doug Lamborn drafting legislation, providing voting recommendations, and researching religious liberty and pro-life issues.

Alumni Spotlight

David Crist

David Crist graduated from high school in 2007. While in high school, he was an active member of the Emmanuel youth group and during his junior and senior year led the worship on Wednesday nights. David attended Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida and while there served as President, Chaplain, and Athletic Director of a men’s collegiate. He also led a Jail Ministry on the Navy Base in Pensacola every Sunday. During his first two years of college David interned in the youth group at Emmanuel and there was able to lead a summer ministry called Youth Revival. This ministry reached hundreds of teenagers with the gospel and was a highlight of David’s summer. In 2011, David graduated from college and married his high school sweetheart, Katelyn Barbera. After getting married, they traveled in evangelism for 3 years with Pensacola Christian College traveling to every state in the continental United States. David now serves as an assistant Pastor in Washington State as well as runs a media company. He has a beautiful wife and two little boys, Vaughn and Wyatt.