Early Childhood Ministry

Our Early Childhood Ministry Department is divided into two departments – Nursery & Preschool. The Early Childhood rooms are found on the first floor, in the West Hallway. Information regarding the locations for the different age groups on Sunday mornings is available at the Welcome Center in the Lobby, or look for the signs outside each room. Between the rooms (for ages birth through 3) there is a sign-in location where each parent or guardian signs their child in and receives a security tag for picking up their child.

Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers can enjoy a variety of activities & entertainment while their parents participate in Sunday morning or Wednesday evening activities at the church.

Family Room & Nursing Mother's Room

Besides rooms designed for each age group there is a Family Room with separate nursing mother’s room. The Family Room is open on Sunday mornings and includes a closed circuit telecast of the Sanctuary service. We encourage you to use this room to calm & entertain your child, but please be considerate of those watching the service. Dad's are also welcome in the Family Room.

Playroom

We are also proud to provide a playroom. During Sunday services and Wednesday Family Nights children’s classes for ages 2 through 5 are able to enjoy a session in this dynamic room equipped with tunnels and hundreds of balls. The Playroom is also open during other scheduled chldcare sessions.

Tot-Time – Open Gym Time

January through March, Friday mornings 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. If your kids are feeling cooped up & need to burn off some energy they can play and meet new friends during this time of open play. Children age 5 and younger can bring their riding or other toys to play while their parent supervises. Tot-time will be cancelled in the event of a school snow day or cancellation.

Nursery (Director: Stacy West)

In the Bible there is a story that illustrates how we feel about children at First Assembly of God. "People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have Him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to Him and said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'" Luke 18:15-17

Children birth through 2 years old can enjoy a variety of activities & entertainment while their parents participate in Sunday morning or Wednesday evening activities at the church.

Jesus loves babies and so do we! At First Assembly of God we take children and ministering to them very seriously. Your child's introduction to Jesus begins in the Nursery.

We believe it is never too soon to begin to introduce a child to the love of God. Our Nursery is staffed by trained volunteers and loving parents (who serve one Sunday/month in the Nursery). They provide much more than babysitting. Your child is surrounded by an attitude of love, praise and teaching.

The Infant nursery, surrounded by wall murals depicting a sheep pasture, provides cribs & rocking chairs for the comfort of your child as they are loved & nurtured by other parent volunteers.

For one and two year olds we spend time playing or reading stories as well as using Radiant Life curriculum designed for the two year olds.

Look for signs in your neighborhood welcoming each new addition to the First Assembly of God Nursery.

Preschool (Coordinator: Jeanne Jellison)
The Preschool classes are for children age 3 through 5 years old, not yet in kindergarten.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6 "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." We love spending time with your child to be a part of that "training up"! Our Pre-School ministry features fun activities, puppets, Bible stories, snacks and crafts to aid in the training up of your child. (The more senses that are involved in the lesson, the better a child retains it!) All of our teachers and helpers are committed to seeing your child grow and mature in their knowledge of our Lord. What a joy to participate in preparing the life of a child - your child!

Ministry Opportunities

We have exciting and diverse opportunities for you to serve. If you love children and Jesus, please consider joining a great team and contact me for further details. We have ministry opportunities in the Nursery during any service. Your responsibilities would include: to follow all established Nursery Guidelines, to arrive 15 minutes early, to assist the trained Nursery Registration Staff in providing a safe, happy, loving environment for both the children and their parents.

We have limited openings in the Pre-School Department. Your responsibilities would include: Classroom Teachers - we provide the training, the curriculum and the children, you provide the smiles and lots of hugs! And Classroom Helpers - your responsibilities include assisting the teacher with lots of smiles and hugs!

I will be glad to answer any of your questions! Contact Pastor Jan Kopf at 393-6353 or jan@lovethischurch.com

Resource Links

www.daniellesplace.com - crafts, coloring pages, games
www.family.org - Focus on the Family's Web page
www.christianitytoday.com/parenting/ - A free email newsletter is available with great articles and information for all parents
www.gospelcom.net/mops/
www.noahsarkministries.org

First Assembly does not assume responsibility for the content of these pages. If you find content you don't think is appropriate, please let me know.

If you would like to serve in this ministry area, just CLICK HERE to download our online volunteer application or pick one up at the Welcome Center on Sundays. If you are a youth over 11 you may also apply to volunteer CLICK HERE.