Nursery. Childcare. What do these words mean to you? Diapers? Babysitting? Missing out on time with adults? I felt that way for many years. However thanks to the Desiring God Curriculum, I now see every interaction with a baby, toddler, and student as an opportunity to participate in God’s work. It renews my energy and enthusiasm to make every minute with them count.

The following quote comes from our preschool curriculum, A Sure Foundation. I share it in the hopes that you will capture the vision of our church.

“For too long nurseries have been part of church life because ‘somebody’ has to take care of the infants and toddlers while their parents participate in worship services and Connections classes…But the church nursery should be an exciting and vital ministry in the church…If the nursery is viewed as a place of prayer for young children, a place where children learn simple truth statements as they form their language skills, and a place where they hear foundational Bible stories, the nursery can be transformed into an integral beginning of ministry to children.

How can this transformation take place? Nursery workers must view themselves not only as childcare workers but also as prayer warriors and ministers to children…If nursery workers see their chief functions as not only changing diapers but sowing truth in the lives of these little ones, what might God be pleased to accomplish? The nursery should be seen as a place where kingdom business takes place.”

So what does this look like in a practical way? Every week there are opportunities to impact the children of our church. You can serve monthly as a worship service Sunday server or weekly as a Connections teacher or small group leader.

Opportunities & Needs

Sunday Servers
Sunday servers work once each month in the preschool classrooms during the worship service. The commitment is one year, August through July. Families are encouraged to serve together so younger children may serve alongside their parents. We still need 30 adults and 17 6-12th graders.

Connections Teachers & Leaders
Preschool Connections teachers and small group leaders work weekly during the connections hour. The commitment is for one school year, August through May. We need 2 teachers and 6 small group leaders. 10-12th graders can also serve as small group leaders.

I have been working on the preschool childcare schedules for about 5 years. Every year I am amazed at the level of involvement I see in our church body. For this I am very grateful, yet I am asking for more help. We are abundantly blessed with a bounty of children. With that comes the need for many, many hands and hearts turned toward the purposes of God.

Upcoming Training

There are two Sunday Server training sessions planned for July. The training for students is on July 24 and the adult Sunday Server training is on July 31. Both of these follow the worship service in the preschool indoor playroom.

ADULT TRAINING SIGN-UP STUDENT TRAINING SIGN-UP

Will you join us as we minister to our children? For more information about Sunday serving or the Connections hour, please contact me at: marianna.jarrett@forGodsfame.org.