Every Sunday we invite our little ones to go out with Ms. Kristen or Ms. Rachel to ChristKids. At the time of the offering, maybe you see them running back into worship with a handout or a craft in hand looking for their parents. Have you ever wondered where they go? What they do?

There are many opinions about the presence and audibility of children in worship. It ranges from children should “be seen and not heard” to children should be loud and proud in the space! We offer a ministry that allows for children to be present for much of the worship service as well as have some intentional messaging crafted just for them!

ChristKids is a ministry that happens during the Traditional and Contemporary Services. After our scripture readings, we invite children from the ages of three through second grade to go into one of our Sunday School classrooms to watch a video production produced by the Family Ministry Team with the very appreciated help of Olivia Gerik, our Media Director. Along with the video, we have group conversation and an activity to go along with the message.

The video is about 15-20 minutes and has bookended music videos from VBS, a segment called “Pastor Time,” in which Pastor Scott, Pastor Ryan, and I alternate in recording a short message about the story for the day, a memory verse, cartoon telling of the Bible story, a connector message, and finally a prayer. It is quite a production! A lot of time and thought goes into the planning, filming, and editing of the video.

Our kids love the video and intentional faith formation time. We start and stop it along the way, so we stay engaged with it. It is a lot of fun and it really is impressive the questions, thoughts, and answers that come up during that time! It is truly fulfilling to hear how well our kids know the Bible, and to help them learn more about it.

Our Director of Elementary School Ministry, Kristen Rank, and our Director of Preschool Ministry, Rachel Dyer, see this ministry from start to finish. They lead the sessions during worship service and do a wonderful job!

We do ask you to consider volunteering for this unique ministry for a couple of reasons. First, we would like to give Kristen and Rachel the opportunity to be in worship and hear the sermon! They need their spiritual nourishment too! Second, we have a lot of kids in ChristKids, even up to 32! We need more hands and help to keep this ministry growing.

We are so grateful for our wonderful families and volunteers. If you would like to try something new, we will have everything prepared and ready for you! Just show up!

Please let me know if you can help!