Bent Tree Bible Fellowship

Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the World...
Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so...
YES He does, and so does the church!!!!
Most of you that read this blog probably don't know how much I truely love the church that I attend. I haven't always loved it - actually, when I started going there in high school, I hated it! I had my reasons, and they were very valid. I started serving in the children's ministry, and I began to hate it less. When Ryan and I started dating seriously, I stopped attending my church and began attending church with his family. I will say that the two churches are VERY different.
My mom continued attending church, alone. She found friends at this church. She found comfort and strength. And SO SO much more! And for all of that I am so very thankful!
When Ryan and I broke up (and after a few months of not getting out of bed), I began attending church again. I started serving in the children's ministry as a Zone Leader in the Toddler Hallway. I have created and rekindled friendships with people that attend this church. I have found my home - again! I have a new appreciation for the church because of the strength and support that was given to my mom and myself when I found out I was pregnant!
I also have a new support for the church because of Jackson. Since high school, I have worked in the children's ministry, and I have a very strong testimony of what the Lord does through the children's ministry. I know it is important work, and I know the staff and volunteers have a heart for the Lord's children. I know that because I am one of the volunteers. There are actually volunteers that taught MY class when I was in elementary school (at a different church) that STILL teach in the elementary program at our current church! There are volunteers that I volunteered with when I was in high school that still volunteer here. There are staff members that worked in the same classroom that Mom and I worked in when I was in high school. These volunteers amaze me every day!
There are also new staff members and volunteers - ones whom I love deeply! I love them not just for their fabulous personalities, but for so much more - heartwarming smiles, loving hugs, kind words of support and encouragement, advice, being my role models, times of fellowship, being accepting of me (regardless of where I have been in my life). I really could go on and on and on! But I love them more than I ever imagined because of their emense love for Jackson. If there is anyone (outside of family - and, yes, Aunt Jamie and Uncle Ronnie are included in 'family') that could love Jackson so much - it is these people! They really show the love that God has to me and Jackson each and every week! They pour love into Jackson until I am sure his heart is going to explode. They love on him, they hold him when my arms are going to break off, they pray for him - they genuinely care about him and his well-being! I can never thank them enough, but I sure will try!
The church has an amazing plan for partnering with parents and a terrific outlook on where they want these children to go in their relationship with the Lord!
From ages 0-2, the church wants to support parents. They know this is a difficult season of life - new parents are TIRED. The church desires to give new parents a time to be refreshed and recharged in church. They long to provide a safe environment and assure parents that their new bundles of joy are in good hands. I would even say that Jackson is in AMAZING hands while at church! This area has very low ratios of volunteers to children (1:2 - 1:4, depending on age), and ALL volunteers have background checks with the church. The church desires to keep the same kids with the same leaders/volunteers each week, and they do a GREAT job of that! These kids really do have fun at church! I will not promise you that there are never tears - there are tears. But the volunteers comfort and love on these children, and, eventually, all is well!
From ages 3-5, the church wants to encourage parents. The church staff and volunteers greet both the parents and the children. There are classes (Create A Rhythm) that help parents help their children grow spiritually. Parents are always invited into the classroom to worship and learn with the kids. The church provides "Small Talks" - a resource to take what is being taught at church and continue growing, worshiping, and teaching at home. The small ration of 1:4 continues with these children. The church first introduces Small Groups at this age. The volunteers are encouraged to (and most do) stay with the same group of kids the entire time they are in the toddler and preschool rooms. The classes go to Large Group where they sing songs, worship, and learn about Jesus.
When kids enter school, parents tend to find their time with their children becoming smaller. The church desires to equip parents during kindergarten to 5th grade. The church wants to create an environment where kids can't wait to come to church! (And this church does just that!!!) Parents love to hear volunteers brag on their children (and those volunteers love to brag on those kids). The volunteers often get involved with the families, go to sporting events, have outside activities for their small groups, and so much more! Kids are encouraged to invite their parents to learn and worship with them in class. FX Live is a family worship service betweent he two regular church services. Families are found worshiping and learning about Jesus. (There may or may not be beach balls, lights, silly string, etc at FX Live!) The church hopes that they can help parents to show their kids what they are learning can be lived out at home! In kindergarten through 2nd grade, kids are split into color groups based on preference. These groups are fluid, but since children are creatures of habit, core groups naturally form. Leaders shepherd the core group, and warmly welcome new and 'revolving' kids. In 3rd through 5th grades, groups of 8-10 kids are developed. These groups are based on age, gender, and affinity. The same kids go with the same leader each week. Kids are encouraged to bring friends, and they are welcomed into the same group. Groups are highly intentional, designed to build community and encourage spiritual growth. Each grade level will have a male and a female leader that will receive unconnected kids each week. These groups are highly relational, designed to welcome and engage new or irregularly attending children. The desire of the church is to have children begging their parents to come to church - causing them to never miss a week of church! (While the church knows this is unlikely to happen, the goal is to create a love of coming to learn about and worship Jesus.)
Once kids (now called students) enter middle school, the church longs to engage parents. Leaders are encouraged to share the cool, neat, and exciting things they are seeing in and experiencing with the students. Communication is key at this age! Parents are encouraged to talk to and engage with their students. The students are in groups of 8-10 with two designated leaders. There is a large group/small group format, meaning students will learn and worship in large groups and grow, share, and develop in small groups.
High school is a crazy time for parents, and the church knows that kids are rarely around their parents. This is the reason behind their goal to stand in for parents. Leaders connect with parents and tell them what they see in their students. Students are connected to another adult that will say the same things as their parents. Students are kept accountable and are encouraged to talk to their parents. The same groups of 8-10 students are kept during high school, often with the same leaders. Large group teaching time is offered on Sunday nights, and small groups meet often. All small groups meet on Sunday evening, but many groups also meet during the week as well.
I know that middle school and high school seem so far away for Jackson (even kindergarten seems distant), but it gives me comfort and assurance that the church has the end in mind when thinking about Jackson's relationship with God. The thought and prayer that the leaders of the church pour into developing these young hearts warms mine. My heart swells when I think about them - the leaders and children!