Kids at Hope

"The Important People"

At Hope Church we value children as an integral part of our congregation.  It is a privilege for our Hope for Kids team to spend time with these youngest members of God's kingdom.  We want them to feel involved and to be able to enjoy praising God with their families as well as the entire church body.  For this reason, our children participate in the first part of the worship service, which includes singing and a special children's chat with the pastor.  After that time the children are dismissed to attend their classes in age and grade specific groups.

•             Nursery, Infants & Toddlers 
•             Kinder & Prek
•             1^st / 2^nd / 3^rd Grades 
•             4^th & 5^th Grades

It is here during our Hope for Kids program that our ministry of connecting real people to the real God truly begins.  Our teachers and volunteers are committed to bringing the life-changing love of Jesus to the children by not only reading Bible stories, but also by involving them in dramas, music, activities, crafts and games that have an impact on them on many levels.  Our view is that church should be both meaningful and fun.  We emphasize that the Bible is the infallible Word of God that was written for us and that it has relevance for our lives today.  We teach them of God's incredible love and amazing grace and of the hope that we have in Jesus. 

How it all works...

During the Service:  Your child will remain with you for the beginning of the service.  The pastor will invite "the important people" to come forward for a special children's chat.  After that time, the children depart to their age appropriate classes.  We don't require children attend Hope For Kids and it is perfectly fine with us if your child wishes to remain with you.  In fact, at the children's check-in desk we have activity packs available that your child may use while accompanying you in service.

*If it is your child's first time to their class, please escort them to their class.

After the Service:  Present your corresponding numbered tag to the class teacher to pick up your child.  Only parents with the correct tag can retrieve your child.  With your permission, siblings of age 12 and older with the correct tag may also to pick up your child.

For you child's safety, Hope Church adheres to a two-adult policy.  During the children's ministry program, your child will be with at least two adults at all times.  Additionally, Hope for Kids teachers and helpers have gone through a screening process that includes a background check prior to being involved in this ministry team.

Graduation:  Infants:  Toddlers will 'graduate' from the Infant class at a self-paced, developmentally appropriate time. Once you feel your child is ready to advance from the Infant class and is ready to be with other 2 and 3 year olds, then you and your child are invited to ‘graduate' together and come visit the Toddler class for a trial Sunday.  This way with parental presence the transition will be easier for the maturing toddler.  You also will be able to personally assess your child's readiness to participate in formal activities like story time and craft time.

Toddler Class to Kinder & PreK Class:  Three-year-olds will graduate on their fourth birthday into the 4 & 5 Year-old class or when their parent feels they are developmentally able to advance.  If you'd rather delay this progression for any reason, just let us know and we can accommodate your needs.

Kinder & PreK through 5^th Grade:  Children in these classes will graduate into the next class on Promotion Sunday which is usually the first Sunday after the school year has ended.  Specific requests may be handled on individual basis.