A Commitment to Children Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14

Connect WorshipServe Grow Connect “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” Worship “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” Grow “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” Serve “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others” “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” Discipleship Process

Two Fold Process: 1.Connect with and invite the nonbeliever or unchurched person 2.Provide a quality environment and experience when they come

How Can We Best Reach Our Community?

Children In Our Community Over 17,000 children (age 18 or less) live within a five mile radius of RBC Over 11,000 children are potentially unchurched

When is the Best Opportunity to Reach People for Christ? -Nearly half (43%) of all Americans accept Jesus Christ as their Savior before 13. -Two out of three born again Christians (64%) accept Jesus Christ as their Savior before their 18 th birthday.

Provide a quality environment and experience There is momentum when the Holy Spirit is free to work. It is our responsibility to create environments where the Holy Spirit is free to work in people’s lives.

Preschool Ministry Priority of space will be given to the preschool ministry Provide a welcoming, clean and secure environment Foundational, relational teaching Large group children’s worship for 3s and 4s Refurbish existing preschool area with paint and new flooring

Youth Ministry Focus on spiritual development Teaching of personal prayer and discipleship Use of large group and small group venues to help students grow in their spiritual lives and to reach the unchurched students in our community Reinforce discipleship process within various youth ministries and events Continue existing weekly schedule with evaluation as to need for new curriculum, ministries and activities to support the RBC strategy

Youth Ministry Sunday Morning –Video based, real-life application curriculum –Intimate small group bible study organized by age Sunday Night –Small groups encouraging, holding one another accountable, and challenging each other to begin and continue a daily walk with Christ Wednesday Night –Large group worship geared towards outreach to the unchurched –Interactive environment utilizing real-life videos, hands-on teaching, in-depth Bible stories, etc.

Elementary Children Ministry Vision – To transform a new generation of children through Christ Mission – To supplement the family in its effort to establish a solid spiritual foundation that will lead a child into a personal, vibrant relationship with Christ so that they will become His influential disciples to the world.

Elementary Children Ministry Values –Child-Focused –Bible-Centered –Life-Change Oriented –Relational –Innovative –Fun

Elementary Children Ministry Implement new children’s Sunday morning curriculum that is: –Focused on spiritual development –Reinforces the RBC strategy –Utilizes large group and small group –Utilizes interactive environments that will appeal to children –Volunteer friendly and creates excitement

A Commitment to Children Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14

Are You Ready to Jump In? 1 st Grade – Paradise Pond Now this is eternal life that they may know You, the only true God…John 17:3 Emphasizes equipping first graders to know “the only true God” by studying His character They will have a “toadally” fun time as they gather around Paradise Pond to learn what it means to fully rely on God

Are You Ready to Set Sail? 2 nd Grade – Voyage of the HMS Gospel Who do you say I am? Matthew 16:15 Your child will “sail” through a chronological study of the life and times of Jesus Christ. Emphasizes equipping 2 nd graders to answer Christ’s question to Peter: “Who do you say that I am?”

Are You Ready for a Mission? 3 rd Grade – Mission to Planet Earth Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Emphasizes equipping 3 rd graders to fulfill Jesus’ call to be His witnesses and His lights to the world

Are You Ready for Adventure? 4 th Grade – In Search of the Sacred Door Seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 Knowledge based course in the Bible – its definition, history, structure and stories

Are You Ready for Knighthood? 5 th Grade – Knights of the Cross Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-12 Focuses on developing the character of Christ in 5 th graders by using the metaphor of the noble knight embattled in spiritual warfare

Are You Ready to Help? An excellent children’s ministry requires over 250 volunteers to work with the preschool, elementary and youth ministries on Sunday mornings Volunteer needs are wide in range of gifts and skills –Teach/lead discussions –Act –Work puppets –Administrative –Hospitality –Audio/visual

Are You Willing? To help us make the best use of the resources that God has given us? Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. - Theodore Roosevelt

A Commitment to Something New Most adult small groups need to meet on Sunday or Wednesday nights –Small group experience is important Reduces conflict between need for small group experience and the need for children ministry volunteers –Space is limited Each grade will have a dedicated pod consisting of large and small group rooms Will renovate the 2 nd floor and ½ of the 3 rd floor

Children’s Area Renovation Each age group pod will include one large room with 4-5 adjoining small group rooms Each room will be decorated and arranged to fit each age group theme Estimated renovation cost is $550,000 to $600,000

Sunday/Wednesday Nights Large group environment with varying thematic events that will include –Worship –Recreational activity –Community service projects –Mission studies –Music –Guest speakers –Prayer The same activity will be held Sunday and Wednesday night of a given week

Are You Willing? Are we willing to put as much effort and emphasis into our children’s ministries as we do with our community sports programs?