GRACE BAPTIST CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY
As those
committed to being a teaching/learning community of Believers, we treasure our most
precious gifts from God, our children. There are many ways we minister to nurturing their
minds, hearts and spirits here at Grace Baptist Church in order that they may grow to the
full potential God has placed within them. This nurturing includes Sunday School, Vacation
Bible School, Scholarship Program and Academic Incentive Awards, and youth and children
choirs.
We also minister to our children through our Children's discovery Time. This
provides a time and place for our children, ages three to eight. In this time we provide
them opportunities for understanding God's love through the nurturing of the volunteers
who carefully and lovingly guide them through activities fitting their age and
understanding.
Our Men's Group provides for a yearly trip to the Science Exposition. There they
gain an understanding of how science provides an inside view of God's creation. They grow
in understanding and confidence as they interact at the exhibits and with the adult men
volunteers.
Our youth regularly participate in providing leadership in our worship services. This is
especially so on the 5th Sundays as they take over the responsibilities and privileges of
worship. They grow in understanding worship leadership, grow in confidence, and grow in
trusting the presence and power of the Lord.
A Youth Ministry rebirth was inspired by a group of youth and adults who attended a youth
ministry workshop conducted by the American Baptist Churches of Connecticut. The workshop
was entitled “Effective Youth Ministry in the 21st Century”. A Youth ministry team was formed of youth and
adults. They began by studying a book by10hn Carroll and Keith Ignatites, entitled, Youth
Ministry: Sunday, Monday and Everyday: The stress is upon the truth that real youth
ministry is every way the Church uses to equip youth for living and ministering in their
day-to day world. Some special activities include a poetry slam, talent show, and a youth
retreat.
We thank
each of you for giving money to support these ways of
ministering to our children and youth. We thank you also for sharing your time, your
hearts, and your faith with them. What you give towards this work will help them to grow
up in the reality of God's love.