To lead young people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and help them embrace His call to discipleship.
The love of Christ compels us.
The Advent Message to all the world in my generation.
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me Mark 9:37, in teaching and example Jesus has shown us the importance of children. Children are the building blocks of our church and our community; they are our most valuable assets and as such they need to nurture and love. According to Barna “the probability of becoming a Christian for kids aged 5-12 is 32%, Teens 13-18 yrs. is 4%, 19 and up is 6%” these statistics tells me that we must focus our efforts on the children and the youth in our church and our community. With this in mind the Children’s Ministry department here at the Heights is committed to loving, teaching, and inspiring our children so that they will love like God, lead like Christ and feel free and comfortable to live their faith. In January of this year our Children’s ministry team made the decision that Sabbath School in the lower division would run from 10-11 with a combined preliminary program and then separation to lesson study by 10:20. This change appears to be working and it also gives the teachers an opportunity to sit in an adult class if they wish. Listed below are the age distributions for Sabbath School here at the Heights
Beginners/Cradle Roll – Age 0-4 – TBA
Kindergarten/Primary – Age 5-10 – Sis. Trott (Aunt Joanne)
Juniors – Age 10-14 – Sis. Warren (Aunt Mie)
Teens – 15-18 – TBA
After Sabbath School the children go to sanctuary for the main worship service where they stay until the Pastor get up to preach. Children’s church was started so that we could provide our children with the opportunity to worship and hear the Word of God in a manner that will engage them in learning while leaving their parent/guardian in the main worship service safe in the knowledge that their child is in safe hands. The current focus of Children’s Church is The Fruit of the Spirit so far, we have completed Love, and Joy and Peace. In Children’s Church we encourage the children to worship God through, prayer, singing, fun activities and age-appropriate God centered Bible lessons.
Children’s Church is for ages 4-11
We encourage our parents/guardians to take advantage of Children’s Church but as Children’s Ministry leaders we recognize that parent have the primary responsibility for the nurturing and spiritual growth of their children and to that end we support the decision of parents who choose to have their children remain with them in the sanctuary during the worship service.
Children’s ministry should not be thought of as an independent, disconnected program within the church but an intentional part of the broader mission of the church. In Psalms 127:3 we are reminded that Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him. With this verse entrenched in our minds I am asking the church family to spend some time each day lifting our community and church children and this ministry up in prayer.
I have a committed, dedicated and innovative group working with me this year and I expect great things for our children.
Sis. Dawnnelle Walker
Sis. Joanne Trott
Sis. Marlene Warren
Sis. Alisha Mecene
Sis. Lynniece Nisbett
Sis. Cie-Al Esdaille
Kids are our Sacred Trust
