Our children’s ministry is designed to partner with parents in ministering to children by helping them discover and grow in their faith, belong to the body of Christ and share that faith with others. Here at Spring Lake we strive to create space for God to meet with children through our Sunday morning and Monday night meetings. In addition, we plan special events, including Vacation Bible Camp, to help stretch the faith of the students and encourage them to reach out to friends who don’t know Christ.
Along with ministering directly to kids, we know that parenting in today’s culture is a huge challenge and we want to come alongside parents to help equip them to be effective in shaping their children spiritually. Our Adult & Family ministry page has more information on special events and resources geared toward parents.
We also want to encourage anyone who loves working with children and interested in sharing their gifts to consider being a part of the children’s ministry team. To download a children’s ministry application, click on the appropriate link below:
If you are interested in receiving more information regarding our children’s ministry, please contact Jenny Garrison, our director of Children’s Ministry.
Sunday Morning Ministries:Nursery (infant through 2 years old)
The nursery is available during both services on Sunday and is a safe, nurturing environment where we want a baby’s first experience with their church family to be on filled with love and trust. We maintain safety in the nursery by conducting background checks on every worker, providing annual training for nursery staff and doing weekly cleaning of the facility and its contents. For more information, please contact Kay Hoitink.
Early Childhood (2 years through Kindergarten)
Classes are offered during both Sunday morning services. We know that children in this age are in major discovery mode so we use hands-on learning to introduce young children to God and His amazing love for them. We also recognize that children this age need more one on one contact so we utilize comfortable but stimulating classrooms with appropriate adult-child rations. Two and three year olds also have bathrooms in their classrooms for ease in pottying.
What do I do when I arrive on Sunday?
No preregistration is needed. When you arrive on Sunday, go to the check-in station located just outside the Children’s Education wing where your child will be registered and introduced to someone from our early childhood team who will direct you and your child to their appropriate classroom. For more information, please contact Kim Fabich.
Elementary (First through Fourth Grade)
Classes are offered during both services on Sunday. Children at this age love stories so we provide them with plenty of biblical stories with relevant applications which is what we hope will be a part of a strong foundation for truth introduced in the upper grace. Elementary-aged kids love to move and play so we focus on lively worship and plenty of purposeful activities.
What do I do when I arrive on Sunday?
No preregistration is needed. When you arrive on Sunday, go to the check-in station located just outside the Children’s Education wing where your child will be registered for class. For more information, please contact Jenny Garrison.
Zone 56 (Fifth and Sixth Grades)
“Tweens” are at a particularly critical time in their lives when they can grasp their faith in new ways and can begin to make decisions that will affect their teen years. We meet this challenge through a group called Zone 56 which meets for biblical instruction on Sunday mornings, and a time of crazy fun, fellowship and teaching on Monday evenings.
What do I do when I arrive on Sunday?
Sunday morning class is offered during our 10:30 hour. No preregistration is needed. Bring them to Room 135B where you can check them into their class.
Special Needs Ministry (all ages)
We value any student with a special need whether it is physical, emotional or cognitive. We shepherd these students and their families by connecting them with our Special Needs Family Director. This person determines with the parents if the student would like to attend a special needs class, or if (s)he could benefit from having an aid in a regular classroom. For more information, please contact Jann Charette.
Monday Night Ministries:
Club 252 (Kindergarten through Fourth Grade)
Clubs meet on Mondays from 6:15-7:45 pm from October through April. Here is our current Club 252 Schedule.
During this time, students participate in fun worship, games, large group teaching and a great time of small group interaction. Our Monday night program is designed for families to use at home throughout the week. This allows us to partner with parents who we believe are a child’s primary spiritual influencer. More information about the curriculum and program is available at www.252basics.org.
How do I get my student involved?
Come to the entrance by the circle drive (located on the west side of the building). Upon entering the building you will see someone at the registration table who can help you. You may register your student any time through the school year. For more information about getting involved, please contact Lisa Dhein.
Zone 56 (Fifth and Sixth Grades)
Zone 56 meets on Mondays from 6:15-7:45 pm throughout the school year. “Tweens” are at a particularly critical time in their lives when they can grasp their faith in new ways and can begin to make decisions that will affect their teen years. We meet this challenge through a group called Zone 56 which meets for biblical instruction on Sunday mornings, and a time of crazy fun, fellowship and teaching on Monday evenings.
The Monday night curriculum is called Grapple and provides your student with a custom webpage they can access to interact with the week’s lesson and find our what is on the schedule for the week ahead. For more info, check out the webpage at www.group.com/grapple.
How do I get my student involved?
Come to the entrance by the circle drive (located on the west side of the building). Upon entering the building, head downstairs to our youth/fellowship room, where you can register you child for the Monday night program. For more information, please contact Jennifer Kiger.
Special Events/Programs:
Vacation Bible Camp
Do you want your student to be a part of an experience centered around God that he will never forget? Make Vacation Bible Camp a part of your child’s summer schedule in 2010. Camp is for children ages four through fifth grade and meets Monday through Friday, 9:00-Noon. Each day is contains contagious worship, gripping large group lessons and numerous fun-filled activities. We train a small army of youth who help develop our own, unique curriculum and then implement it with unmatched enthusiasm. We also utilize many adults as youth team leaders, small group leaders for campers and childcare workers. Keep an eye on this site for updated information on this summer’s theme, how you can register your child, and how you can get involved.
Child Dedication
Child dedication is a time in our Sunday morning services where we ask parents and the congregation to publically commit to raising children in our church according to God’s plan. These dedications are part of our regular service and occur approximately three times per year. If you would like more information about child dedication, please contact Beth Macco.
Divorce Care for Kids
Divorce Care for Kids provides a safe and neutral place for our children to come together to process the pain that is common to families with divorce. For more information please contact Beth Macco.