Meet the gsKIDZ Team
Andie Followell
EARLY CHILDHOOD COORDINATOR
andie.followell@gracespringchurch.org
269.629.9622 ext. 206
Upcoming gsKIDZ Events
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One Service Starting June 13!
It’s hard to believe that Summer is just around the corner, and there are exciting things coming up for gsKidz! Mark your calendars…
Both the Elementary and Early Childhood wings will be providing child programming during 1st service ONLY from June 13th through August 22nd. We will resume 2nd service starting on Move Up Sunday, August 29th.
Our incredible volunteers are the absolute best and their faithful service in our classrooms is such a blessing! In order for us to continue to meet the needs of our families as well as ensure that our loyal volunteers get the rest they need, we have created a signup for this summer’s amazing team. If you’d love to pour into our kidz this summer, we’d love for you to try out a classroom and share the love of Jesus with them!
Interested in Early Childhood? Go to this link:
https://form.jotform.com/211424968359061
Excited about Elementary? Go to this link:
VBS Parade Float
gsKIDZ will have a float promoting our VBS in the upcoming Richland Fourth of July parade! Contact Sara Norton to help build our float or get involved at the parade itself!
Covid Guidelines for gsKIDZ
What You Need to Know
*UPDATED*
Our gsKIDZ program offers an opportunity for authentic experiences with Jesus through fun, creative, founded in Truth, age appropriate lessons. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) We are so excited for the life that continues to enter our children’s area each week.
Our doors are open for children to “come to Jesus.” Some things might look a little different, so here are a few key points that we feel you need to know:
All children’s areas (Early Childhood and Elementary) are “MASKS ENCOURAGED” starting May 2nd, 2021. Kids sized masks are available.
- 4th and 5th grade will only meet for the 9:00am first hour Sunday service.
- Check-in will begin 30 minutes before each Sunday service.
- Classrooms will begin receiving kids 15 minutes before each Sunday service begins.
- Every classroom will have a limited capacity for safety reasons.
- Classrooms are disinfected before/after each service.
- Hand sanitizing will be encouraged before entering and exiting any children’s areas. Hand sanitizers are located in all classrooms, each check-in station and at the entrance to the Early Childhood and Elementary area.
- Please leave ALL personal belongings (baby bottles, pacifiers, water bottles, etc.) at home. Diapers will be provided in our Early Childhood area.
- Please be sure to send your child(ren) to church with full bellies. There will be no snack time to limit any extra germ transfer.
- Please enjoy our online service and resources if your child has had a fever or vomiting in the last 24 hours.
We understand that Covid is constantly changing and we ask to be met with grace and flexibility as we continue to learn more and react accordingly to keep our kids safe. Choosing to place your child in our gsKIDZ program is a physical acknowledgement that your child is healthy and safe to be here. The gsKIDZ staff will also partner with families to help make these choices. If you have any questions please email kidz@gracespringchurch.org
Raise a Generation for Christ
Our gsKidz ministry serves Birth through Grade 5 and is offered during both Sunday services. We believe the best way to prepare kids for their future is to partner with parents. Why? Because developing kids to stand firm, and have faith that sticks depends on this partnership. Our Kidz Ministry is committed to families in two ways. First, we are committed to guide and equip parents with tools and resources to help them be the primary spiritual influencers in their homes. Second, we are committed to teaching God’s truths to kids through relevant Bible teaching, music, group discussion and age appropriate activities. Kids are in a safe and secure environment. All volunteers and leaders are carefully screened. Our facilities and emergency procedures have been approved by the leadership and a stringent security process is in place for all kids. If you are a new family, we suggest you arrive 20 minutes early so we can walk with you to your child’s rooms. As kids learn Biblical truths and experience God’s love at home and church, their faith will grow and develop into a faith that sticks!
Love God, Love Others! Everyone needs a church where they can fully belong. It is the desire of this ministry to be a beacon of hope, acceptance and belonging for ALL children and their families. Our specially trained volunteers will help to provide a safe and loving atmosphere for children who may benefit from extra support to learn and experience the love of Jesus Christ. We want your child to enjoy coming to God’s house where they can feel fully embraced by others and flourish to their greatest potential, becoming all God desires them to be. We want your child to SHINE.
For God, who said, “Let light SHINE out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
-2 Corinthians 4:6
We have been praying for your family to join us and we are looking forward to meeting you. Our SHINE ministry is open during our Sunday services only. Please fill out the form below BEFORE you come to service so we can help your child have a great experience.
Early Childhood
Birth through Preschool
For our littlest of hearts, birth through 3 years, our goal is simple—that your child will begin to learn and understand that God loves them. How do we do that? Through the care of committed volunteers, as well as activity and story times that reinforce the Bible story. These early encounters let each child know they are valued and begin to build a foundation for a relationship with God.
Preschool provides purposeful connections where kids discover that they belong to God, Jesus loves them, and he has a mission for them. Each week in Preschool, caring volunteers lead our children in worship, a Bible story, and age appropriate activities.
Early Elementary
Kindergarten through 3rd grade
Early Elementary is for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grades. These children will experience worship songs, bible studies that are geared toward children and will have a chance to explore how to be mission-minded. Biblical truths are presented on a weekly basis through a variety of age appropriate and dynamic avenues!
During the program our children will also have the opportunity to participate in “community group” activities with children their age. Our community group or small group time is where the children are discipled to receiving Christ as Lord of their life and then following Christ into the world and throughout their day. Biblical truths are solidified through interactive games and discussion. We highly encourage you to get involved with what your child is studying and to make applications throughout the week!
Preteen
4th and 5th grade
Our Preteen ministry is specially designed to reach kidz that are in a unique age group. They don’t consider themselves to be “little kids” anymore, but they aren’t quite teenagers yet. They think differently, act differently, relate differently , and learn differently. Spiritually they’re ready for something deeper than children’s ministry but aren’t quite ready to be exposed to some of the tough truths of youth ministry. With caring and energetic leaders, we will explore Bible lessons that are tailored with this in mind. Our goal is to reach each preteen at this critical time and help them grow spiritually during their transition from kidz ministry to youth ministry.
