Children's Ministry

Welcome to the Children's Ministry at GPC! We really love and value kids here and we hope your children will find it a place to grow up in a Christ-centered atmosphere. We have many activities going on each week, all year long, for children through 5th grade. In additional, we have a beautiful nursery that is safe and loving for newborns through age 3.

Sunday Morning Activities

Sunday School: Year-round Sunday school for ages 3 through 5th grade, meeting at 9:45 a.m.

Children's Church: 11:00 a.m., during the Contemporary Worship Service (4yrs-1st grade) and (2nd-5th Grade).

Wednesday Night Activities

GTW (Getting Together Wednesdays): Bible stories, music, crafts, and worship for ages 3 through 5th grade, every Wednesday (September through April) at 6:30 p.m.

Our Purpose for Ministry:

The foundation for our ministry is the belief that the church, or the body of believers, is an extension of the family to whom the responsibilities of raising children has been given (Deut. 6:1-9). We believe children of our church are not only members of their “home family” but also their “church family.” Although the responsibilities rest primarily with the parents, the church plays a vital role in assisting the parents in their child’s spiritual development. The purpose of our ministry is found by combining this biblical goal with the Lord’s command to make disciples of all men (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, the purpose of our ministry is to make disciples of all people, including children.

Our Philosophy of Ministry and the Family:

a. We believe that God has made the family, and it is a covenant means of transmitting faith to the next generation (Gen.1:27-28; 2:18-25; 4:1:1-2).
b. We believe that children are a blessing from God (Ps.127:3; Gen. 15:4-6; Pr. 17:6).
c. We believe that God has created children uniquely, designed with special
gifts and talents (I Cor. 12:4-11; Ps. 139:13-14).
d. What we teach our covenant children matters to God (Pr. 6:20-24; I Ki.2:1-4; Ps. 34:11).
e. We believe families must spend time in discipleship together in order for training in wisdom and godliness and spiritual maturity to take place in children (Prov.22:6; Prov.1:8-9; Eph.6:1-4; Acts 10:1-2; Deut. 6:6-9).
f. We believe that a child can come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior at an early age (II Tim.3:14-15).
g. We believe children can bring God glory and are important to Him (Matthew 21:15-16; Mark 10:13-15).
h. We believe that the Church must equip and train families to aid in the process of spiritual maturity (Titus 2:1-8; II Tim.3:16-17; I Tim.3:4-6; Titus 2:1-10; Ps.78:1-7).

Our Values (C.H.R.I.S.T.)

C - Child Targeted: We plan activities that are age-appropriate and engaging to children at their level. Bible lessons need to be taught in ways that will best reach and teach children. We look at everything we do with a child's eye.

H - Have Fun!: Our goal is to have our kids want to come back week after week because they can't wait to return. While the kids come back for the FUN, we can accomplish our mission by continuing to nurture and teach them spiritually.

R - Relevant: We want kids to understand what they learn applies to their everyday life in school and at home. Being relevant means helping kids see that God's Word is written for them and can be applied to their lives.

I - Intentional & Relational Shepherding: We want each child who comes to GPC to have awesome and substantial relationships with the adults who volunteer in our ministry. Volunteers have the incredible privilege, as Christ-followers, of representing Jesus and modeling what it means to be a follower of Christ. Our volunteers also strive to build lasting relationships with the children in their Sunday School classes and small groups on Wednesday nights.

S - Safe: Children learn best in an environment where they feel secure emotionally, physically, and spiritually. That's why safety is a top priority at GPC. Our volunteers who work with children on a weekly basis are screened and trained. We want GPC to be a safe place for all children.

T - Teaching the Bible Creatively: Our goal is for children to become so fascinated by the Bible that they want to learn more. By using various methods of learning, including multimedia, we can reach the children in ways that will make what they learn stick!