Growing Children in Christ
Birth to 5th grade
If you're like most parents, you have probably wondered, "Are my kids really growing in their faith?"
You're not the first parent to ask yourself that and you won't be the last. As a ministry, we also have to ask ourselves, "How do we do that?"
A child growing in their faith is the "big win" for you as a parent and us as a ministry. It's the one thing that we, as a ministry team (and you as a parent), want to achieve. As we develop curriculum and special events throughout the year, the goal of growing a child's faith is what we keep in mind at all times.
So, what is our definition of the "big win?" It is when a child takes a step toward owning their faith.
We say "take a step" for a reason. Spiritual growth isn't like school where you attend class for two semesters and move up a grade the following year. This is a life-long journey and no two journeys are identical. We win anytime a child takes a single step closer to owning their own faith.
You're not the first parent to ask yourself that and you won't be the last. As a ministry, we also have to ask ourselves, "How do we do that?"
A child growing in their faith is the "big win" for you as a parent and us as a ministry. It's the one thing that we, as a ministry team (and you as a parent), want to achieve. As we develop curriculum and special events throughout the year, the goal of growing a child's faith is what we keep in mind at all times.
So, what is our definition of the "big win?" It is when a child takes a step toward owning their faith.
We say "take a step" for a reason. Spiritual growth isn't like school where you attend class for two semesters and move up a grade the following year. This is a life-long journey and no two journeys are identical. We win anytime a child takes a single step closer to owning their own faith.
Owning Your Faith
To encourage a child to own their own faith we must first teach them four spiritual habits:
We count it as a win whenever a kid takes a step toward owning their faith by practicing one, or maybe even all four, of these spiritual habits.
- Spend time with God. This means opening the Bible on their own, having conversations with God on their own, and/or discovering how they best connect with God through worship on their own.
- Spend time with others. Engaging in healthy community can, and should, be a spiritual habit we help our kids develop. This is about growing in Christlike relationships with everyone.
- Use your gifts. Kids need to know that God made them unique and special with really specific gifts, talents, passions and resources. And they need to be encouraged to use these gifts to love God, love others and influence the world around them.
- Share your story. Kids need to learn how to talk about God with others. Sharing your story is a spiritual habit of making faith a regular topic of conversation in their lives.
We count it as a win whenever a kid takes a step toward owning their faith by practicing one, or maybe even all four, of these spiritual habits.
WCC Moms
All mamas are welcome (pregnant ladies through moms of 5th graders)! We generally meet every third Wednesday of the month in the Youth Center from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Childcare will be provided.
Each month, we will have a potluck dinner. Please let us know what you plan to bring! Contact Amy Carter for more information.
Each month, we will have a potluck dinner. Please let us know what you plan to bring! Contact Amy Carter for more information.
Momversation!
Wednesday, September 17 at 6:00 PM
Momversation (6:00 to 8:00 PM). Come hang out, laugh, and connect with other moms. Bring a parenting question (or just come for the company) and let’s chat it out together.
Additional Dates:
Quick Wins in the Kitchen (October 15 at 6:00 to 8:00 PM). Hey Mama, if dinner feels like the hardest part of your day—you’re not alone! Join us as we hear from a certified health and wellness coach share her favorite time-saving tricks, go-to pantry staples, and quick hacks to make mealtime way easier (and less stressful).
Five Love Languages of Kids (November 12 at 6:00 to 8:00 PM). Every child feels and shows love in their own unique way. Discover the Five Love Languages of Kids and learn practical ways to connect with your child’s heart.
Cookie Decorating (December 17 at 6:00 to 8:00 PM). Celebrate the season with cookie decorating, laughter, and fellowship! A sweet night for moms to connect and remember the joy of Christmas.
Five Love Languages of Kids (November 12 at 6:00 to 8:00 PM). Every child feels and shows love in their own unique way. Discover the Five Love Languages of Kids and learn practical ways to connect with your child’s heart.
Cookie Decorating (December 17 at 6:00 to 8:00 PM). Celebrate the season with cookie decorating, laughter, and fellowship! A sweet night for moms to connect and remember the joy of Christmas.
Small Group Party!
Join us on Sunday, September 21 for a Small Group Party!
Each Elementary Grade will have its own party with fun, games, and plenty of snacks. Parents, all you need to do is register your son or daughter for their specific party (using the dropdown menu on the next page) so we know how many to expect.
Here are the details:
Kindergarten: Cookie, Craft, and Game Party! — Lots of fun to be had as we get to know our new friends. We’ll have a cookie decorating station, using dye-free food coloring and sprinkles. We’ll have a craft station so you can be creative! And we’ll have some games too!
1st Grade: A Family Circus! — Every family can sometimes feel like a three-ring circus. We will have fun playing carnival games, clowning around, eating circus goodies, and getting to know each other better.
2nd Grade: Christmas Anytime! — Join us to celebrate Christmas in September. Stations will include Cookie Decorating, Nativity Puzzle, Happy Birthday Jesus Activity Map, and Ornament Making. We’ll have fun singing carols and exchanging gifts — all provided by us!
3rd Grade: Puzzlepalooza! — Get ready for a party full of tricky puzzles, fun games, and team challenges that will stretch your brain and make you laugh! You’ll race the clock, solve brain busters, and work together to untangle human knots in the ultimate puzzle adventure!
4th Grade: WOW! Gummy Bear Slime-Making Party! — Let’s do some experiments and see God’s creation at work. Come and help us make slime gummy bears that we will get to eat! Join the fun!
5th Grade: Games & Pizza Party! — Let’s come together and play some games. We’ll finish our time together with some pizza before heading to the Christmas Program Rehearsal.
1st Grade: A Family Circus! — Every family can sometimes feel like a three-ring circus. We will have fun playing carnival games, clowning around, eating circus goodies, and getting to know each other better.
2nd Grade: Christmas Anytime! — Join us to celebrate Christmas in September. Stations will include Cookie Decorating, Nativity Puzzle, Happy Birthday Jesus Activity Map, and Ornament Making. We’ll have fun singing carols and exchanging gifts — all provided by us!
3rd Grade: Puzzlepalooza! — Get ready for a party full of tricky puzzles, fun games, and team challenges that will stretch your brain and make you laugh! You’ll race the clock, solve brain busters, and work together to untangle human knots in the ultimate puzzle adventure!
4th Grade: WOW! Gummy Bear Slime-Making Party! — Let’s do some experiments and see God’s creation at work. Come and help us make slime gummy bears that we will get to eat! Join the fun!
5th Grade: Games & Pizza Party! — Let’s come together and play some games. We’ll finish our time together with some pizza before heading to the Christmas Program Rehearsal.
Start Here
Baptism Class for Kids on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 4:00 PM
Kids have questions about a lot of things, including questions about Jesus and faith. How can we equip parents to have significant faith conversations at home? What if parents and kids need a place to start?
The START HERE class will help equip parents to lead their children to Christ and help kids answer some of their questions: What is baptism? Why do we need to be baptized? Am I ready to be baptized?
Join us on Sunday, September 28, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM as we "START HERE!" We recommend this class for all families with children aged 8-12 who have started thinking about following Jesus and have questions about baptism.
NOTE: This class is for kids and at least one trusted adult. If you’d like to join us, please register so we know how many to expect.
The START HERE class will help equip parents to lead their children to Christ and help kids answer some of their questions: What is baptism? Why do we need to be baptized? Am I ready to be baptized?
Join us on Sunday, September 28, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM as we "START HERE!" We recommend this class for all families with children aged 8-12 who have started thinking about following Jesus and have questions about baptism.
NOTE: This class is for kids and at least one trusted adult. If you’d like to join us, please register so we know how many to expect.
Kids Christmas Program
Rehearsals begin September 14 at 6:00 PM
Is your elementary-aged child (K-5th grade) interested in participating in our annual Kids Christmas Program? If so, they're invited to join us for rehearsal every Sunday evening beginning September 14 at 6:00 PM in the Worship Center.
There's no need to register! All we ask is that your child shows up to rehearsal consistently so they can learn the songs and be prepared for the program on Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 PM. (More details about the Kids Christmas Program will be announced as we get closer to Christmas.)
Questions? Please use the form below to contact us.
There's no need to register! All we ask is that your child shows up to rehearsal consistently so they can learn the songs and be prepared for the program on Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 PM. (More details about the Kids Christmas Program will be announced as we get closer to Christmas.)
Questions? Please use the form below to contact us.
About the musical 'The Great Christmas Giveaway'
Join Brody, Ashley and the rest of the class officers as they meet at the mall to search for the perfect present for their homeroom teacher. There are many temptations and detours along the way, but they come to learn that true joy is only found when we give to others in the same way Christ gave to us. Featuring the engaging songs, spiritual message, and sparkling arrangements you've come to expect from a Celeste Clydesdale musical, The Great Christmas Giveaway is sure to delight audiences of all ages!
Vacation Bible School was amazing!
Big thanks to everyone who helped make VBS 2025 possible
Vacation Bible School 2025 was fantastic!
We averaged over 320 kids every night with about 200+ volunteers. The kids learned about Jesus, sang, played outside, made crafts, made friends, and had a ton of fun! We are so thankful to everyone who helped make VBS possible. Thank you for your prayers, donations, and time. As soon as we have details for VBS 2026, we will post that information here.
See you next year!
We averaged over 320 kids every night with about 200+ volunteers. The kids learned about Jesus, sang, played outside, made crafts, made friends, and had a ton of fun! We are so thankful to everyone who helped make VBS possible. Thank you for your prayers, donations, and time. As soon as we have details for VBS 2026, we will post that information here.
See you next year!