It takes more than a village to help train up a child in the way he or she should go. It takes a small army.
By MH Kids
As the current generation wrestles with the many challenges the new decade has brought on us all, we hold a special place in our hearts for the newest generation. It’s our passion for today’s babies through kindergartners that has led to the growth of the kids ministry at Messiah’s House Church.
Just ask the two women in charge of the nursery and pre-school departments. Or, go and ask the 66 volunteer teachers, parents, and more than 20 paid workers who make it all possible Sundays at Messiah’s House.
Meet Cheryl and Emily, the leaders of the kids department that cares for as many as 100 babies through kindergarteners each Sunday.
CHERYL:
With babies through kindergarten alone, it takes 20-30 people to run a Sunday.
Nursery volunteers and paid workers care for infants to toddlers, or walkers, as they are dubbed, who may range in age from one to two, depending on their mobility. Volunteers teach classes for ages three through kindergarten.
EMILY:
We have an amazing mix of volunteers, including parents of young children, women whose children are grown, single women, teenagers, and people who simply check the volunteer box while taking Impact Track (new member class) to become church members.
To learn about Impact Track, or to signup, go to www.mh.church/impact-track
The process of volunteering in the kids department is secure and thorough. Security is at the top of the minds of both Cheryl and Emily with everything they do. Those who would like to serve as a volunteer must fill out an application and pass a background check. Cheryl and Emily have built a successful ministry by focusing on the heart of their volunteers.
CHERYL:
We want to find people whose heart is truly for the ministry. Our goal is to find out where people want to serve. We want our volunteers to thrive as well as the children.
The pair writes all their own Sunday school curriculum. They both develop lesson plans, and Cheryl writes storylines based on Biblical truths. And they don’t water the lessons down. They know what the children learn can be life changing.
CHERYL:
In the story of Jonah being swallowed by the whale, for example, we can go at that story from multiple points, from simple obedience to how would you feel if God is calling you to something hard to do. There is no junior Holy Spirit. We are not gonna dumb down the Word. Sometimes what is taught will be over their heads. The Holy Spirit has said it will be foundational. They may not comprehend it now, but their spirit is teaching their soul as a foundational thing.
The administrators also have the volunteer teachers in mind as well.
CHERYL:
All they have to do is familiarize themselves with the lesson beforehand and step into the classroom to teach it. The whole morning is documented for them, so they know exactly what to do.
Volunteers are also paired with paid workers in case of emergency situations, or other unpredictable situations that may arise.
What Cheryl and Emily look for most are heart connections.
EMILY:
Do you love to sit and hold babies? There’s a place for you. Do you love to play with kids or have a passion to teach? There’s a place for you.
CHERYL:
The beautiful thing about it is a kid running through the halls who says, ‘That’s my teacher’. Doesn’t matter where they are in the church building. They see people they know and they know they are loved by more than just their inner circle. They have a whole community they can make heart connections with.
We are proud to pour into the newest generation of world-changers. We know God is going to use these precious ones for mighty things.
Would you like to learn more about the babies through kindergarten ministry at Messiah’s House Church? Email us at info@mh.church.
To apply to become a volunteer, email Cheryl at cince@mh.church.
