I.             Ministry Name:  Children Ministries

II.           Ministry Purpose:

 

The purpose of the Children’s Ministry at St. John Mennonite Church is to WIN kids to Jesus Christ, to help them GROW in their faith and to EQUIP them to make a positive Christian impact in their families, schools and neighborhoods.

 

 

Pioneer Club is our Wednesday night outreach ministry to the kids in our communities.  It is a fun place for kids to build friendships, develop new skills, learn biblical truths, play games and hear how they can have relationship with Jesus Christ.  Pioneer Club is for kids 3 years old through the 6^th grade and runs from 7:00 - 8:30 PM on Wednesday nights October through April.

 

Nursery is offered for Infants (0-1 year) and Toddlers (1-2 years) during most regular church activities.  We believe the nursery is more than just babysitting---it is an opportunity to show these little ones the love of Christ.  “Changing diapers, changing lives”

 

Sunday School is offered to all children 2 years old and older on Sunday mornings.  This is a time for kids to grow in their relationship with God by studying His Word and seeing how this relationship can be meaningful to them not just on Sundays but everyday of the week.

 

Children’s Church is a structured learning and activity time for 2 & 3 year olds during the second worship service.  Here they have fun while hearing a Bible story or video, doing activity sheets, eating snacks and playing with toys and puzzles.

 

Vacation Bible School exists as an intentional effort of the Pandora Ministerial Association to work collectively to minister to the Pandora and Gilboa communities.  Our purpose is to provide an enjoyable environment for children to learn about God and Biblical values; who He is, what Christ did, how we can have a relationship with Him and how God expects us to live a Christ-like life in everyday situations.

 

The “ROCK” is a ministry just for 6^th Graders on Sunday nights at 6 PM.  These are fun nights of Bible study, games and special events as we seek to help these guys and girls build on a firm foundation --- the Rock!

 

Kids Night Out is a ministry designed to be a safe environment where children can attend while their parents are attending a Cell Group.  Care is provided for children from infant up through sixth grade.  Games, crafts and an educational component that informs the children of mission projects that our church supports are included.

III.          Leader of the Ministry

 

Duane Weaver is the Director of Children Ministries

 

IV.         Ministry Workers

 

Children Ministries require the loving dedication and support of 243 paid and volunteer staff.  Below is a table which indicates the approximate number of staff needed in each area.

 

Pioneer Clubs	42	Vacation Bible School	55
Infant and Toddler Nurseries	65	The Rock	6
Sunday School	32	Combined Children’s Church	8
Children’s Church	24	Kids Night Out	10*

2007 Total Volunteers:  235                                            *Paid Staff: 8

V.          Number of People Served

 

Pioneer Clubs	150	Vacation Bible School	140
Infant and Toddler Nurseries	23	The Rock	13
Sunday School	121	Kids Night Out	16
Children’s Church	35	Summer Camp	22

2007 Total Ministry Touches:  520

VI.         Special Blessings/Accomplishments

·         Attended the Children’s Pastor’s Conference in Orlando.  Learned media skills for operating Media Shout, learned how to use the art of illusions to capture children’s attention and teach biblical principles and was blessed and encouraged by the messages from the speakers.

·         Served on the Building Committee which developed a conceptual plan for a proposal to construct a new wing to our current facilities which include a new worship center, classrooms for ABFs, and a commercial grade kitchen.

·         Worked with the Technology Committee in implementing a server to our office, administered our new website and saw the realization of the goal of upgrading our A-V equipment in the multipurpose room.

·         Chaired the Pandora Community Vacation Bible School Planning Committee and directed the VBS.  140 boys and girls came to VBS giving generously to the MCC Water project so that boys and girls in other parts of the world could have clean drinking water.

·         Pioneer Clubs traveled to Ebenezer Mennonite Church to see the Power Team.  One of the Power Team members delivered the message during the Pioneer Clubs Sunday.  Many people, children and adults dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ.

·         Hosted a parenting conference with Walk Through the Bible.

·         Visited with several families from the Ottawa-Glandorf area who had been regularly visiting our church.  One family has since joined the church and have been baptized.  The other family regularly attends ABF hour and worship services.

·         Praying with two young men from our church working as counselors at Miracle Camp while dropping off some boys attending the camp that really needed God to work in their lives.

·         Led a man to Christ with Dave Stratton who was later baptized.

·         Participated in the baptism service

·         Initiated Mission Reports to elementary age children during Joint ABFs.

·         Blessed by a group of men and women from a Baptist Church who came to help our own volunteers in cleaning up and  restoring the church basement after the flood.

·         Reached out to flood victims in Ottawa with the love of Christ

·         Hosted a regional Pioneer Clubs Leaders training

·         Served on the Steering Committee which conducted a study on the readiness and receptivity of the proposed building plans and made recommendations to the Church Council.

·         Led four Child Dedication Services for the parents of 12 children.

VII.       Prayer Request/Priorities for Upcoming Year

·         It gets harder each year to find volunteers willing to commit to a schedule of children ministries.

·         We need ministry leaders to fill the positions on the organizational chart for Pioneer Clubs, Sunday School, Child Care, and Children’s Church.

·         I would like to implement a new Children’s Church program for preschool children and up to grade 3 utilizing the new A-V equipment in the multi-purpose room beginning in the fall.

·         We will be reviewing and revaluating the Sunday School curriculum for elementary age children.