Children’s Ministry
Purpose of Ministry
Children are the future of our church and of God’s Kingdom on earth. We must teach them so they can become our leaders and the leaders of future generations. At Parkway, our goal is to become the greatest friend and best support a parent has ever had. From prayer to encouragement to emotional support, we seek to equip parents as they invest in the faith of their children.
Parkway Kids is a ministry of Parkway Baptist Church serving children from infancy through sixth grade. We recognize that God has given us many unmatchable gifts. One of the greatest of these is our children. We take the care of your children very seriously. It is our goal to make your children feel loved, secure, and important not only when they are with us, but throughout the week as well. While you entrust your child to us, we will make the most of our time and seek to share laughter, learning experiences, and most importantly, the love of God. Parkway Kids are growing in God’s Love.
Parkway Kids on Mission
M&M (Missions and Music) Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30
Begins first Wednesday night in September and ends mid-May
Missions: From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., the children participate in the following activities:
1st Wednesday: All ages participate in Bible Art.
2nd Wednesday: Preschool and Kindergarten students participate in Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Missions Lesson; Girls, grades one through six participate in a book study for girls and boys, grades one through six participate in a book study for boys.
3rd Wednesday: All ages participate in Bible Science.
4th Wednesday: All ages participate in Bible Study.
5th Wednesdays: All students participate in a cooking activity.
Sunday Mornings
It is so important for kids to feel safe, loved, and important in our church. The main way that they sense this is through our Sunday School classes and teachers. When they see the face of someone who loves and cares about them each week, they receive a glimpse of God’s love.
Sunday School: Children’s Sunday School classes meet each Sunday morning from 9:45-10:45. Children learn Bible truths and important qualities of God as we help them to lay a spiritual foundation in their lives. Classes provided are:
Toddlers in Room 103
K-1st grade Room A-202
2nd – 3rd grade Room A-201
Level Up Group (Grades 4th – 6th) Room B-207
Children’s Worship: At Parkway, we believe that children need to be taught how to worship so they can understand how to participate in it. Each Sunday morning, children in Kindergarten and 1st grade leave the worship service after the offertory prayer. They are escorted to Room 202 by two loving volunteers and they participate in what we call “children’s worship.” Children sing songs, hear a Bible story, and learn how to worship God over the course of these two years. During the last month of each Sunday School year (August) the children will design and participate in their own worship service that includes all the elements of a “Big Church” service (i.e., hymns, offering, sermon, etc.). As children see that they can lead a worship service they will be more confident in worshiping with their own families and the larger church family.
On the third Sunday of each month, any child who wishes to attend meets with our Children’s Ministry Coordinator to study what Baptist believe in Room 202 after the offertory.
Special Events
Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday before Easter
Day of Service – Mission activities
Trunk or Treat – last Wednesday night before Halloween
Elf Workshop/Sleepover
PASSPORTkids Camp – Four day sleep away camp for children who have completed third through sixth grade.
Many special summer activities (pool parties, Parents Night Out, and special Wednesday night activities.
Opportunities
We love volunteers! You are always welcome to assist in one of our classrooms! This is a great way to meet your child’s friends and to see first hand how your child is spending his/her time with us. We do expect all preschool parents to become a part of the nursery rotation during the worship service. Parents are asked to serve approximately once every two months.
New Baby Ministry
We are excited to welcome new babies to our church! Our Preschool/Children’s Committee welcomes new babies with a special Parkway bib and several dinners over the course of the baby’s first few weeks home from the hospital.
Parent Baby Dedications
Parkway is blessed with young families and we rejoice in the opportunity to celebrate with families in the births of their children. In the early months of a child’s life we offer the opportunity for parents to participate in a service of dedication for themselves and their child. The dedication takes place at the end of a morning worship service and, by doing them individually, the pastor is able to personalize the ceremony.
The purpose of baby dedication is to be found in the purpose of the parents. Rightly understood, the ceremony is one of parental dedication. The parents are pledging themselves to obey the command of Paul, “Bring your children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
When a child is born to your family, contact the church office within the first two or three months to schedule your baby’s dedication on a Sunday when you will be able to have friends and relatives attend if you would like.
