When do we offer Children’s Ministry?
Kids’ Horizons runs at the same time as Grace Fellowship’s adult services at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. every Sunday. Check-in begins 15 minutes prior to each service time. Volunteers are asked to arrive 20 minutes prior to each service time – that way we’re all ready to warmly welcome your family. Please see our church’s main website/call the church office in the event of inclement weather or for special holiday service times at Christmas and Easter.
What is my responsibility as a Parent/Guardian on our first week?
As a parent/guardian we ask that you fill out an Orange Card to provide our ministry team with all the important info we need to know about your family (contact info, birth dates, allergies, health issues, or other special needs of your children). Our ministry team wants to warmly welcome your family and make sure we serve you in the best way that we can – the orange card helps us do that in an organized way so we can make sure we’re all on the same page.
After we have your Orange Card, our staff will follow up with you just to say hey (we try to show hospitality here in the South) and we’ll give your family a security number for future use on Sundays at check-in. That security number gives us the ability to contact you during adult worship should your child need you at any time. All nursery/toddlers families will also be issued vibrating parent pager for contact during services. When you come back to pick up your children, make sure you have the parent tag we give you at check-in. It’s your entry pass into our children’s ministry area. The safety of your kids is really important to us, so we want to do all we can to make the process warm, friendly, and secure.
Parents/Guardians are always encouraged and invited to check out the environments, so let a member of our team know if we can answer any questions or show you around.
Who makes up the Children’s Ministry Team?
The Children’s Ministry team is made up of staff and volunteers who choose to make a whole-hearted commitment to invest in the life of your children and share the love of Jesus with them.
All Children’s Ministry team members, both paid and volunteer, are required to undergo a comprehensive security screening which includes criminal background checks and reference checks.
As a parent/guardian we also welcome you to serve with us in whatever way you can. The more, the merrier!
How can I join the Kids’ Horizons Children’s Ministry Team?
If you are interested in volunteering with Kids’ Horizons, we ask that you stop by Information Central and let us know! We’d love to give you a guided tour of our ministry area and let you take a First Glance of what a given Sunday looks like in the area of your ministry interest. During that process you’ll fill out a Children’s Ministry Application (reference check and criminal background authorization required). Through all of this we hope you find a ministry area that fits the ways that God has uniquely gifted you to serve. Once you find your best fit, we’ll schedule you to attend our next basic training session.
Do you have a ministry for children with special needs?
Yes! Our special needs ministry, ACCESS, is designed for those who may require varying degrees of assistance in order have the best Sunday morning ministry experience. Children’s special needs ministry is available at all service times in our children’s ministry area. Teen/adult special needs ministry, Buddy Up, meets and upstairs in our children and youth building during the 10:45 am service. Please contact Kelly Holland 928-5601 ext. 236 or kholland@gracejohnsoncity.com for more information and/or registration.
How often are the rooms maintained?
Our facilities staff thoroughly cleans all ministry areas weekly. The Children’s Ministry Team properly sanitizes toys and equipments after each service. The Children’s Ministry Team members are instructed to alert staff to any safety concerns and remove any/all damaged or well-worn toys/equipment immediately for further attention. Supplies in each classroom are replenished on an as needed and monthly basis.
What happens in the case of an emergency?
Children’s Ministry Coordinators are assigned at each service and are outfitted with two-way communication devices which enable them to contact proper authorities in the case of an emergency. First Aid Kits are available in all ministry areas and accident reports are to be filed properly following any incident resulting in a child’s bodily injury. Emergency Exit routes are posted in each ministry area.
