We LOVE Kids at The Fountain

We unapologetically value kids at The Fountain UMC! It happened yet again this Sunday. A parent was escorted back to our kids ministry with child in tow. After peering into one of our kids ministry environments, this parent's first reaction was, "Oh, this is nice." She was pleasantly surprised. As usual, volunteers were prepared for the kids, the space looked very fun and clean, music was playing, and kids looked like they were enjoying it. After the service, parents are usually equally surprised when they pick up their kids. Their kids were safe, they had a BLAST, and they can't wait to tell you what they learned about God.

After almost 2 years of ministry as a church, we've learned that the first time, parents bring their kids to church. After that, kids often wake up an hour or two early on Sundays to bring their parents to church. 


Here are 5 Things That Drive Our Kids' Ministry at The Fountain:

1) Kids are the future. Ministry to kids should never be an afterthought or secondary. They are a top priority at The Fountain. Your kids are your greatest treasure and we believe in being a good steward of our time with them. Babysitting is not enough. Jesus actually wants to do something in kids' lives...and He does! Our hope is that The Fountain will always be a church that kids LOVE to attend. Jesus once said in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."

2) Jesus should never be boring. We believe the story of God is the greatest story ever told. It can actually impact your life if you allow God to be part of it. Why should Disney, Pixar, and Hollywood have all the fun? We believe in telling the greatest story in the most engaging, creative, passionate way we possibly can. If you were a disciple during Jesus' time, it was far from boring. He healed people, fed the hungry, turned over tables, and even brought people back to life. Church should never be boring either. This does not mean we just use clever lighting, but we present the real Jesus, in a way that speaks to kids best. It's all about leading the kids closer to Jesus!

3) Great volunteers who walk beside kids on their journey in discovering God. Relationships make a difference! I can't say enough about our volunteers. They make everything happen. Kids love how their small group leader really cares about them. Our volunteers pray with them, play with them, sing about God with them, and cheer them on in their walk with God. Kids can't wait to get to church to see their small group leaders.

4) The Space. Every Sunday is treated like Super Bowl Sunday. We want to create the most engaging environment where kids can meet Jesus. Even though we are portable, we set up the space in a fun way every Sunday. Lake X-STREAM (K through 5th grades) looks like an outdoor, lake adventure. We bring in a large tent, a boat, camping gear, and other things to engage kids creatively. Deep N' Wide (Birth through Pre-K) has an ocean feel with fish, fishing nets, and circle rugs. Space is really important in creating an environment where kids can meet Jesus. Don't believe me? Read Exodus 40 about the elaborate preparations and care God instructed the people to have in preparing a space of worship. And they had a portable worship space at that point too. We're in good company.

5) If kids are interested and happy at church, parents will be too. Let's face it. It's scary to entrust your kids into someone else's care. If kids are happy and safe, it allows parents to relax, focus, and receive from God. The quality of the kids ministry affects the entire worship experience for adults. On the other side, if kids love church, they want to return. Valuing kids ministry has become one of our greatest forms of evangelism. If kids want to be there, their parents will come too...and they usually meet Jesus along the way as well.