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Academy of Christian Formation
West Virginia Baptist Convention
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Children's Ministries
Sharon Iskra, Associate in Children's Ministries
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Playground Dedication Photo Gallery
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WHAT IS CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES? Our Children’s Ministry is a church-wide endeavor to shape the spiritual lives of children through Christian education programs, music, and a variety of other fun, enriching activities. It is a two-part effort: first, we strive to help children know Christ by teaching God’s word and His ways. Second, we teach children how to apply these truths by modeling Christ in our own lives and showing them how they, too, can live in a way that glorifies Him. We believe it is crucial in today’s world that children have a personal relationship with our Lord, and that they know how to apply the lessons they learn here in their daily lives. OUR PHILOSOPHY We, at Baptist Temple, view children the same way that Jesus viewed children. 1. Children are be respected. Matthew 18:10 2. Children are examples of innocence, teach ability, humility, and trust. Matthew 18:3,4 3. Children are representatives of Jesus. Matthew 18:5 4. Children must be encouraged to know Jesus as Savior. Mark 10:14, 16 5. Children must be protected from the evils of the world. Matthew 18:6 The Foundation: Christian Education
We are committed to providing all children with a solid foundation of Biblical knowledge. Our Sunday School classes and Children’s Church sessions use FaithWeaver educational materials, which do an excellent job presenting the message in interactive, stimulating, and age-specific ways. Our children love the songs, skits, and creative classroom demonstrations that illustrate and help them remember the lesson points. Classes are taught by committed parents and loving church members who have been serving joyfully for years---yet maintain a fresh approach by inventing their own games such as “Bible jeopardy”, relished by our 1st and 2nd graders. Children in Children’s Church compete to memorize scripture and maintain a classroom prayer journal in which we record prayer requests, and then review weekly to see how God has answered. Please see the following sections for more details on specific Sunday School classes and Children’s Church. Children’s Sunday School begins at 9:45 and concludes at 10:45. Children ages 4 through 5th grade are invited to accompany their parents to 11:00 worship, where they will enjoy a brief Children’s Conversation message early in the service, and are then dismissed to Children’s Church for the remainder of the hour. Sunday School Classes CHILDREN'S CLASSES Nursery: (Birth through to age 3) Little ones love our large 3-room nursery, with its huge population of toys and its unique Noah’s Ark playhouse! They trust our warm and caring volunteers, whom they often embrace with hugs. Our restful crib area features brand-new cribs as well as swings, walkers, and a plethora of baby equipment and toys. Children of teachable age enjoy lessons from David C. Cook educational material, sing songs, and color worksheets or make simple crafts to take home. Children are welcome at our informal 8:45 service. The nursery opens when Sunday School begins at 9:45, and children are invited to remain during both Sunday School and 11:00 worship while their parents attend classes and that service. Our nursery is located on the 2nd floor of the Activities Building, last room on the right. Our regular Sunday School teacher is Ann Rollins, an expert at welcoming, nurturing and comforting toddlers. Volunteers rotate coverage for the 11:00 hour. Kindergarten: (4 & 5 year olds) This class is located on the 1st floor of the Activities Building, first room on the right. Teacher Susan Roncaglione, herself a mother of five boys aged kindergarten through 14, has provided loving instruction for many years, and inspires children with her enthusiasm and good cheer. Primary Class: (1st & 2nd Grade) This class is located in the main building on the second floor, left at the top of the stairs, adjacent to our Children’s Library. Veteran teachers Robin Adkins and Ann Grose founded the ever-popular “Bible jeopardy” game, and use other creative and fun approaches to learning. Children are encouraged weekly with surprise treats and prizes. Middle/Junior Class: (3rd through 5th Grade) This class is located in the main building on the second floor in the large Children’s Church classroom, to the right at the top of the stairs. Teacher Bill Burks has a genuine love for children and a gift for drama, which he uses often to involve children in the lesson. YOUTH CLASSES Junior High and Senior High Classes : (6th through 12th Grade)
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WORSHIP HOUR ACTIVITIES: Children’s Church This classroom is located in the main building on the second floor, to the right at the top of the stairs. Children ages 4 through 5th grade begin 11:00 worship in the sanctuary with their parents, enjoy a brief children’s message early in the hour, and are then led to this classroom. We compete to memorize scripture, keep a weekly prayer journal of requests and God’s answer to prayers, and sing and praise. We encourage children to lead prayer, read scripture to the group, and to share and answer thought-provoking questions during lesson time. We find that our children are so eager to participate, it’s often a tough decision for a leader to decide which raised hand to call upon first! We also follow the lesson’s innovative teaching approaches, which often include drama, art, or crafts.
The Children’s Library
This room, located on the second floor of the main building, left at the top of the stairs and through the Primary classroom, offers comfortable beanbags for reading, an assortment of Christian books for all ages, and Christian movies and music. All of these may be checked out free of charge by completing a brief sign-out sheet.
Weekly Services
We temporarily suspended our weekly services, for a time, following the departure of our former Director of Children’s Ministries. We are using this time constructively to re-evaluate our children’s interests and needs. Weekly events such as children’s choir, fellowship events, and worship events are all envisioned and in the making. The benefit of this “under construction” period is that our members are actively shaping our ministry into the most effective form to reach today’s child. Results from our parent survey are due April 3, and we will, thereafter, implement our exciting new custom-designed programs!
Children’s Events
One thing is certain, we love to have a good time! Our hope is that in addition to being a place of learning, Baptist Temple will be your child’s favorite place to go for fun. Outside your family, we hope to be the next place your child runs to for help, encouragement, recognition, and celebration! In that spirit, unless otherwise specified, all events are open to members and non-members alike. We encourage children to bring friends, not with a goal of converting them to membership, but simply to share God’s love and good times with everyone. We want children everywhere to have a positive church experience and to know that God is alive and shining here. Our monthly publication, the “B---Line”, has details of coming events. Click on the attached link to view a copy. The B---Line and other information are posted on the Children’s Bulletin Board on the inner wall of the Activities Building, or can be sent to you by mail by phoning the church office at 346-9627. We will regularly offer other impromptu events such as trips to amusement parks and other family outings to local events of interest. Vacation Bible School A favorite, not to be missed! School is open to ages preschool through 5th grade. This is an exciting spiritual adventure where children learn Bible lessons and application, make inspiring crafts, learn Christian songs, and participate in drama. Dinner will be offered at 5:30; school begins at 6:00 and runs through 8:00 p.m. Registration forms available closer to event date.
Children's Conversation
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For more information call the Church Office. |
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For questions or comments to this web site, please e-mail randy1@chasbt.org |