At Crossroads our goal in Children's
Ministries is to assist parents in making disciples of Jesus Christ of all our children. We
desire to introduce children to God's truth and character through teachers
who demonstrate love, grace, and faith in a welcoming and friendly
environment, with the goal of producing a foundation for the future. We seek
to provide an enjoyable environment for children to learn about God and His
Word. We offer a variety of ministry opportunities to help children grow in
their relationship with the Lord.
Our Children's
Ministries use an age-appropriate understanding of
CBC's missions statement and philosophy of ministry
to help our children mature in the understanding of
and relationship with Christ.
To the glory of God...
We seek to declare and
demonstrate
the undeniable reality
of the living Christ
and His transforming
power.
Every child...a
Believer - God loves me and I can believe in
Him.
Every
Believer...a Disciple - God helps me to
grow. I can study His Word.
Every
Disciple...a Servant - God gave us the
church and I can serve Him.
Every
Servant...a Minister - God has done so much
for me and I can tell others about Him!
For more information
about our various ministries as well as our safety
and security policies, check out the information
below. We invite you and your child to get
plugged-in to one of the many ministries we have available for children and
for adult servant-ministers!
(select the [+] to expand each information section)
Sunday classes for Newborns through
kindergarten are held during all worship services
and during the 6:30pm Sunday school hour.
Newborns and toddlers are divided into classes by
developmental level (newborn, crawler, early
walkers, steady walkers) while older preschoolers
are divided by birthday. Check the signs
outside each classroom and at the Pager Station to
determine the appropriate class for your child.
Our teachers use a curriculum that includes Bible
stories, hands-on activities, worship, games and
free play. Developed here at Crossroads, our
curriculum enables us to custom-fit our teaching to
our doctrine, philosophy of ministry and children's
needs. Once a month our preschoolers age 2 and
older join together for a large group worship time
lead by a dynamic leader. The children study
the same story or topic for an entire month,
allowing them to learn each story and its
applications more thoroughly. Children who
stay for two services hear the same story presented
in different ways. This story is also studied
in elementary so you can talk about the same lesson
with all your children!
As you bring your child for ministry, please keep
the following in mind:
Label all diaper bags, jackets, Bibles and other
items clearly with your child's first and last
names. Diaper bags should be labeled on
the outside.
Infants and toddlers are encouraged to
bring a pacifier, blanket or other "security" item.
Children should not bring sippy cups, toys,
books, snacks (with the exception of children
with food allergies), or other items from home.
These items are difficult to share and often get
left behind.
For your convenience, Sunday school meets during
all worship services and during the 6:30 Sunday
school hour. Most children will have a
more positive experience if you choose to attend
when they are well rested and not hungry.
Keep in mind that classes held at 10:45 tend to
be larger than other times; some children do
best in a class with fewer children.
When dropping off your child, simply wave a
quick goodbye without entering the classroom
then leave for worship or your class. It
is normal for little ones to cry when leaving a
parent; our volunteers are comfortable caring
for upset little ones. We will page you if
your child cries for an extended period of time.
If you are needed during the service, you will
be paged. (All families are required to
carry a CBC pager.) However, feel free to
check on your child at any time. We simply
ask that you be discreet, trying not to let your
child see you so s/he will not become upset.
Children who stay for two services will be fed a
healthy snack between services. While we
work hard to ensure that all snacks are milk-,
nut- and egg-free, please provide an alternate
snack if your child has food allergies.
Our ministry to children in 1st through 5th
grades begins in the Lower Level Temple where all grades gather for a time of
praise and worship. After this large group assembly, children go with their
assigned small group leader (divided by grade and first letter of last name) to
a workshop – an interactive lesson designed to teach a Bible story or truth – lead by a dynamic teacher.
We have 10 different workshops (Cinema, Cooking, Cooking Too!, Crafts,
Discovery, Drama, Games, Missions, Service, Storytelling) , so there's always
something to look forward too!
After
the workshop, children meet with their small group to dig into their Bibles to discover applications for
the truths presented in the
workshop and to pray. Each week children visit a different workshop for a
unique hands-on experience, studying the same story for an entire month.
As with our preschool Sunday school, we design our
own curriculum so we can more effectively meet the needs of our children.
Also similar to preschool, children who stay for
two services hear the same story presented in a
different workshop each service.
Our mid-week ministry
for children in kindergarten through 5th grade meets
weekly from 6:45 - 8:00pm during the school year.
As children arrive, we join together for praise and
worship. After worship, children spend time
playing active games (our favorites include squid
bowling and flashlight tag!) then have a small group
Bible study (divided by grade and/or gender).
During small group,
children discuss and apply truths learned in the
Home Bible Study they did during the previous week.
Children earn half-Time Bucks for completing the
Home Bible Study and memorizing a given Bible verse.
Bucks may be spent at our Family Nights that are
held 4 times a year. The entire family is
invited to join us for these events - Octoberfest,
"Happy Birthday, Jesus!" Party, Grand Prix (pinewood
derby) and End-of-Year Bash!
Throughout Half-Time,
children will learn the following:
Kindergarten
God's Word
is true.
My "big
kids" Bible with mostly words has the same stories as my Bible with mostly
pictures. I can read and understand stories in my "big kids" Bible.
1st Grade
The Bible I
read today was carefully translated from the original languages (How the
English Bible Came to Be).
I can find
verses in my Bible.
I can read
my Bible and answer the questions, Who?", "What?", "When?", "Where?", "Why?"
and "How?"
2nd Grade
I can use
Bible study tools (Bible dictionary, concordance, Bible atlas, parallel
passages, Bible timeline, comparing Bible versions) to help me understand
the Bible.
3rd Grade
The Bible
has 10 main doctrines that teach me about God the Father; God the Son; God
the Holy Spirit; people; sin; angels; salvation; sanctification; the church
and the Bible.
I can put
Biblical events in order.
4th & 5th Grades
I can learn
about God by studying the book of Philippians.
I can learn
about God by studying the book of James.
All
Stars is a ministry for children in 4th & 5th grades
in which children volunteer to serve in a variety of
ways within Children's Ministries. Each week
during Sunday school and Half-Time All Stars can be
seen singing on worship teams; running the worship
computer that projects the song lyrics; and greeting
people as they arrive for worship and Sunday school.
All Stars also have opportunities to participate in
special service projects throughout the year.
New All Stars may join
by completing an All Stars application and attending
a mandatory orientation with a parent (held in
September and January).
Our Special Needs
Ministry is designed to minister to children with
special needs and their families anytime Children's
Ministries are held (Sunday school, Half-Time,
Vacation Bible School, Music Camp, Childcare
Ministries). Children with special needs are
placed in a developmentally appropriate class or
receive one-on-one care in a separate class as
determined by the parents and Director of Children's
Ministries. All children are partnered with a
volunteer who is specially trained to care for them
and makes sure that the child's needs are provided
for in the classroom. Our desire is to give
parents and siblings of special needs children the
to opportunity to participate in worship and Sunday
classes while knowing their child is being
well-cared for.
If you would like
to visit, we invite you to call our Director of
Children's Ministries (972-355-3343 ext. 1233) so
that we'll be sure to have a volunteer who loves
children with special needs available to make your
child's first experience here a great one.
Childcare Ministries provide a safe,
encouraging, place where children from birth through 5th grade are cared for
and ministered to while their parents are learning, serving and growing. Our
goal is to give parents peace of mind when they place their children in our
care. Children are introduced to God’s Word in a safe, loving environment.
It is our endeavor that the relationships we build with the children will
supplement the nurturing and training the child receives at home. Our
teachers desire to create a safe place for children where they will build
relationships, are loved and learn the Word of God. Our goal is for all
teachers to be well-trained and CPR certified. Hygiene practices that
keep our equipment, toys, mats, etc., clean and sanitary are implemented.
Childcare is provided by reservation for
Bible studies, MOPS, volunteer training and special events during the
following times:
Vacation Bible School is for children
age 4 through 5th grade. At VBS, children watch hilarious skits, worship
together, make treasured crafts, perform exciting science experiments and make
new friends in addition to learning truths about God's Word. Details about
VBS 2009 - June 22-25 - will be available on-line in May. Mark your
calendars and be sure to invite a friend!
Music Camp
is a week-long camp for children in 3rd through 6th grades during which
children learn a musical drama that they use to lead a worship service for
friends and family on Friday night. In addition at working hard at
learning to lead worship, children participate in a small group Bible study
daily in which they explore the truths from God's Word that are presented in the
musical. They also take time out daily for a fun activity such as bowling,
roller skating, watching a movie, visiting Bounce World or playing games here at
CBC. Details about Music Camp 2009 - July 20-24 - will be available
on-line in May.
How do I know my child
won't be released to the wrong person? Your child's safety is a high
priority! For this reason, we have the following procedures in place:
Preschool
All children, including
visitors, are issued a photo ID at the Pager Station upon arrival.
Children wear the photo ID
at all times during class.
Children are released only
to the person(s) pictured on the card.
In addition to photo IDs,
all parents are given a pager. Please wear the pager at all times and
return to the Pager Station immediately if paged.
Elementary Sunday School
Upon arrival, all children
are issued a yellow nametag. Visitors write name on a numbered tag.
Parents are issued an
identical green tag.
Children are released only
to the person carrying the green tag.
Elementary Half-Time, Music Camp & VBS
All children must be
signed in upon arrival.
On sign-in sheet, parents
designate who is allowed to pick up the child.
Child is released only to
person(s) designated by parent.
What is your health and
wellness policy? To protect the health of all the children, those with
the following conditions are not allowed in the classroom:
Fever (above 100o
orally) within the last 24 hours
If they have been on
antibiotics LESS than 24 hours or if symptoms are still present.
Any congestion, runny
nose, coughing or sneezing not related to allergies.
Soar throat, coughing or
Croup
Any skin infections/rashes
not related to allergies
Any discharge from the
eyes
Any infections or
contagious disease
Any diarrhea or vomiting
within the last 24 hours
Our teachers are not authorized to give
medication (including topical creams) to any child. If your child needs an Epi-Pen
or other medication, please keep it with you and you will be contacted
immediately in case of emergency.
If the building is evacuated for any
reason, how will I find my child? In the unlikely event that our
building must be evacuated, know that our volunteers have been trained to
quickly and safely get all children out of the building. Please exit the
building promptly without entering the Children's Ministry areas and meet your
child in the lower parking lot. When the staff has been given the "all
clear," your child will be released to you.
My child has food allergies. How are
food allergies handled? Be sure to let us know your child's allergies
when you register for a ministry. Volunteers are provided with a
list of all children with food allergies and preschool children with food
allergies wear a bright yellow ID card for additional safety.
While we work hard to ensure that all snacks
are milk-, egg-, and nut free, this is not always possible. If your child
has a food allergy and will be present when snack is served, please provide an
alternative. Snack times are scheduled as follows:
Sundays - 10:20am and 6:20pm
Half-Time - 8:10pm for children in
aftercare
Vacation Bible School - Daily
Music Camp - Lunch provided daily
Childcare - Daily
In addition, elementary-aged children will
attend the Cooking Workshop several times a year. Be sure to check with
the teacher about the planned activity to be sure your child can participate.
What should my child bring? All
children (except infants and toddlers) are encouraged to bring a Bible to every
ministry activity. Additional items needed for special events (such as Music
Camp) will be communicated through newsletters and the web-site.
Children who are not fully potty-trained
should also pack the following:
Two or three disposable diapers
A complete change of clothes in case of
accidents
Labeled bottles and cups (infants and
toddlers)
Pacifier, blanket or other "security" item
(infants & toddlers)
Children should not bring toys, books or other
personal items from home since these items are difficult to share and often get
left behind.
What Bible do you recommend for my child?
We recommend the New International Reader's Version, which can be
purchased at any Christian bookstore, for children in elementary school.
Preschoolers may use any favorite picture Bible.
Volunteers and paid Childcare Providers have
been through rigorous screening and training including:
Completing a ministry application
Attending Children’s Ministries 101, a
course covering philosophy of ministry, child abuse prevention and
reporting, safety and emergency procedures, wellness policies, discipline
and child development
Interviewing with an elder (not required
for paid childcare providers)
Passing a background check
CPR Training (not required, however at
least one person certified in infant-, child- and adult- CPR is present
during all ministry activities)
In addition to training and screening
volunteers, all classes are staffed with two un-related adults.
For information about how you can be involved,
contact the Director of Children's Ministries (972-355-3343 ext. 1233).
