Children's Ministry
Sundays at Grace Church
We meet at 9:00 am and 11:00 am every Sunday while parents are in "big church". We have groups for all ages, from newborns up to 5th grade. Classrooms open 10 minutes prior to each service.
World Changers is the ministry at Grace Church that is responsible for children from birth through fifth grade. Our mission is to glorify God by partnering with parents to lead the children under our care into a meaningful and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ and equipping them to change their world.
It is a place where children feel welcomed, valued, and cared for while they learn who Jesus is, how to follow Him, and how basic Bible truths can help them make the right choices now and throughout their lives.
World Changers has committed leaders that are passionate about our children's ministry, which is why your child will form relationships with regular, consistent volunteers. As leaders and children get to know each other, positive life change happens. Volunteers receive curriculum and ministry training as well as complete background checks.
We have three Sunday programs for your children, based on these age groups:
Nursery - World Changers
Through everything we do in our World Changers Nursery program, from rocking tiny babies to leading 3-year olds in song, we are intentional about teaching the children about our Great God! We realize children change and grow individually — so our nursery has been designed to be specific to a baby's developmental stage rather than to their age:
- Infants (about 0-12 months)
- Walkers (about 13-23 months)
- Toddlers (a 2 years-old class and a 3 years-old class)
You will notice some unique features in our World Changers Nursery to enhance safety procedures:
- Upon arriving at the Nursery area, a volunteer worker will greet you at the door. The same worker will be there every week so the children feel more comfortable.
- You and your child will be given corresponding name tags with numbers. Should you be needed in the nursery to attend to your child, your number will flash on the screens in our worship center.
- Secured hallways allow only designated adults to drop off or pick up children.
- Diaper changing procedures are followed to ensure a safe and sanitized area.
- Toys and equipment are cleaned between services and after each event.
What to Bring Along with Your Child to the Nursery:
- When packing a diaper bag for your child, please include the following items:
- Two or three disposable diapers. No cloth diapers, please.
- Pacifier or other item, should your child need it for security.
- A complete change of clothes.
- A bottle or sippy cup of milk, formula, juice or water.
- Please label all personal items with your child's first and last name with a PERMANENT marker before arriving at your child's class. This helps us keep track of your child's items.
Nursery Teaching Philosophy
At Grace Church, we believe it is possible to share the love of Christ with each child from the day they are born. We want every toddler to hear and associate "Jesus" and "God" with an environment that is loving and safe.
In the 2 years-old class and the 3 years-old classes, we use the Hands On Bible curriculum:
Research tells us that young children benefit from repetition. During each lesson, the Bible point is covered throughout each activity several times, allowing children to grasp the Bible point easily. The activities, craft ideas, and snacks will vary each week. Each Learning Lab comes with a Bible Discovery Pak with additional fun, colorful gizmos and sensory items. Children will discover Bible truths in fresh, creative, active ways that will capture their attention and keep them coming back for more. At the end of the lesson in the 2 years-old class, Cuddles the Lamb Puppet makes and appearance and reinforces what the children have been taught that day. In the 3 years-old class, Whiskers the Mouse Puppet does the same.
Pre-School and Kindergarten - World Changers
The Preschool and Kindergarten ministry offers far more than just childcare. We come alongside families in guiding their children toward a life long relationship with Jesus Christ. Each classroom focuses on learning all about God's love through the use of age-appropriate and culturally-relevant materials and technology.
Classrooms are divided into two sections:
- Pre-School, which includes children ages 4 + 5
- Kindergarten
We are excited in the Pre-School + Kindergarten Ministry. We just started a new curriculum called In the Beginning – Jumping into God’s Word. This curriculum consists of ten minutes of Kid Connection at the beginning of class. This helps set the stage for the weekly Bible Story. The 4/5 year-olds and Kindergarten then merge for a twenty minute Large Group Bible Story Skit. Volunteers tell and act out the Bible Story each week in Large Group. The storytelling is interactive, with the children participating to allow the points of the story to go down deep into their hearts and minds. The children then go back to their individual classrooms for Small Group Activity. This includes various games or activities with their teacher to again reinforce the Bible Story.
The time in Sunday school each week is action packed with this new curriculum. Another feature of this new curriculum is that parents receive a note each week upon picking up their child. The note allows the parents to know exactly which Bible Story their child heard that week, and it also has activities for the week to continue reinforcing the Bible Story at home. Our prayer is that this new curriculum will lay a foundation with Christ as the cornerstone for each child.
Elementary - World Changers
World Changers Elementary is for first through fifth grade. We use Group's Living Inside Out curriculum, which offers large group teaching and small group relationships.
Each week children are immersed in the energy and enthusiasm of the large group experience. They feel the excitement of praise and worship! During this time, their eyes and hearts are open to Bible truths and they hear a clear message about how God can change their lives.
Then, they experience the nurturing and close relationships they build in small groups.They feel safe and cared for by consistent leaders and friends, which enables them to dare to live their faith through the week.
With Group's Living Inside Out, kids are encouraged to "live out" what they have learned, everyday. They are encouraged to pick out a daily challenge and dare to live their faith 24/7 at home, school or wherever they might be.
"My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action." 1 John 3:18