CHILDREN: The next generation . . .

We can strive to give our youngsters all the advantages the world has to offer, and motivate time to make the most of available opportunities and resources; but unless their spiritual life is prioritized and nurtured, they will miss out on much of the meaning, purpose, and joy of life.
Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions by George Barna

As parents, we have been given the call into children's ministry. That little bundle of joy in your arms is your call into ministry from day one. In those first precious moments of bonding, you are welcoming jesus into your child's life. Hope Community Church is committed to stand alongside each parent in teaching our children what it truly means to follow Jesus, and to celebrate each milestone of faith development with them.

SUNDAY MORNING
Our Sunday morning "Children's Co-op" is organized by Karen Perkins. Parents of children are asked to serve in rotation with others throughout the year.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Our Wednesday evening children's program ("Kid's Community") is for ages 4 through 4th grade. Nursery (ages 3 and under) during New Community is overseen by paid childcare workers (see below for more details).

Don't you see that children are GOD's best gift, the fruit of the womb, His generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.
Psalms 127:3-5 (MSG)

Sunday Morning Children's Programs

We provide age-specific programs for our children, from birth to 4th grade. Here's a breakdown of the specific children's classes:
Nursery (birth - 1)
Discovery 1 (1-2½)
Discovery 2 (2½-3)
Explorers (4-5)
1st-2nd Grade Class
3rd-4th Grade Class

For the infants and young toddlers, we provide a safe and nurturing environment for the entire length of the Sunday service. We use a numbered-badge system for security purposes. As the parent signs their child into the room, they are issued a numbered badge. The badge serves two purposes: if we need a parent during service, the number will be displayed on the screen in the worship center. Also, the badge must be turned back in for the parent to sign their children out of class at the end of service.

Starting at 2½, our children participate in the Sunday morning music worship portion of the service, at which point they are dismissed for their age-specific classes. We use the FatihWeaver curriculum from Group Publishing, teaching the children the stories of the Bible.

Dedicating Children to the Lord

The next children's dedication is scheduled for Mother's Day, May 8, 2011. Click to Register Now

Being in the evangelical tradition, Hope greatly values the personal decision to follow Christ. For this reason we practice believer's baptism, meaning we baptize those that have made a deliberate choice to believe in Jesus. Baptism is that very sacred sign of that decision. Therefore we do not baptize infants.

We recognize that many parents desire to dedicate their children to the Lord and often look to infant baptism as the expression of that desire. We do see a biblical pattern for parents to both dedicate and bless the spiritual lives of their children. In fact we believe that the parents, not the church, are the primary religious instructors. Periodically we offer a time during the Sunday morning service for parents to bring their children before the Christian community and dedicate them unto the Lord. During this time the elders of the church will pray a blessing over each child.

We usually dedicate children annually on Mother's Day, but may schedule an alternative time when circumstances require it. If you are interested in a public dedication of your child to the Lord before the next Mother's Day, please email us at info@extremehope.org.

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