We are the family ministry at Harvest. We serve families with children 12 years old and under through family events and Sunday services. Our mission is to partner with parents and use our combined influences to make the greatest impact on the faith and lives of children.
For Your Kids On Sundays
To keep all children safe while in our care, we use a check-in/out process. There's a clipboard for each room where you write your child's name and pick-up person's name.
Our service starts with intergenerational praise & worship. Everyone stays together in the sanctuary to worship God. It's a picture of how all people of all ages will worship God together in heaven. Children also best learn how to worship through example. We do understand that it could be harder for kids to focus. Here are a few ways you can help your kids worship!
- Meet their basic needs. No matter how old we are, it's hard to focus when we're hungry, wet, or tired. Help your child focus and participate in worship by making sure their basic needs are met.
- Take away distractions like toys and electronics.
- Tell them what's happening. Whisper in their ears what's going on and what's about to happen. It helps them be part of the bigger community. Here's a few examples:
- We're clapping to show God we're happy to praise Him.
- Do you know this song? We heard it on the radio!
- That's the pastor telling us about Jesus.
- Be patient and consistent. Worship is a spiritual discipline. Even adults have a hard time focusing! Be patient with your kids when they get fidgety. Kids naturally have the wiggles! Also be consistent. Consistency develops habits and disciplines. Over time, kids will understand what worship it, why it's important, and how they can do it.
Praise & worship is followed by offering and announcements. The pastor then dismisses the kids to children's church. That's us! Take your kids to the Kingdom Kids rooms which are adjacent to the sanctuary and kitchen. Go through the door by the restrooms or follow the other eager children! We have two classes: Younger Kids (2-6 years old) and Older Kids (7-12 years old). If attendance is particularly low, children are consolidated into one class. Our nursery room is open for parents to stay in with their children under 18 months old.
After dropping off your kids, you can head back to the sanctuary to listen to the pastor's message. If ever you're worried about your kids or need to pick them up in the middle of service, visit us! Say hello to Pastor Angela (Kingdom Kids Pastor) and she'll help you make sure your kids are okay. Our tinted windows will help you observe your kids without disrupting the class.
Our check-out process is also easy. Simply pick up your kids from their rooms. You can even say hello to our leaders and see what the kids have been doing that service. Then your family can head over to the Information Center for coffee, snacks, or to just hang out. You can also get all the information you need for our upcoming events.
Meet Our Pastor
Hi! I'm Angela, the Kingdom Kids Pastor. I'm excited to help your family get to know Jesus and grow in your faith. When God called me into the ministry, He reminded me of the story in the Gospels where the disciples turned away the families bringing their children to Jesus. "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" (Matthew 19:14). God called me to help children come to Jesus through children's ministry. He called me again to partner with parents through family ministry to best help children come to Jesus. It is my prayer that Kingdom Kids will be a welcoming and supportive community for your family.
A little more about me. I have a B.A. in Church Leadership from Bethany University, a Masters of Ministry from Advantage College, and Children's Ministry Certificates from Kidmin Academy and Kidmin Academy Next. I love to write and write our Sunday and VBS curricula to best fit the needs of our children. I also like to read and knit.
