Have kids? Awesome! At Journey, we value our children and youth. Your kids are always welcome in our main worship service. When you/your child are comfortable, we would love to have them join us in our fun, engaging children's ministry - Journey Kids! We offer full Journey Kids (6 weeks - 5th grade) at our 8:00 & 9:30 am services, and Nursery (6 weeks - potty-trained) our 11:00 am service.
The Journey Kids Team loves teaching kids about Jesus! We offer solid teaching straight from the Bible, covering the entire Bible every 3 years. We teach a biblical worldview, helping kids to see how what we learn from the Bible can be applied to their lives today. We incorporate fun activities and games that correlate with the lesson, resulting in learning while having a blast! Come worship, have fun and learn about Jesus with us!
A MORNING IN JOURNEY KIDS
What does a service in Journey Kids look like?
Nursery (6 weeks old - potty-trained)
7:45-8:15 Play time
8:15-8:18 Clean up
8:18-8:22 Lesson
8:22-8:30 Activity
8:30-9:00 Play time
Preschool (Potty-trained - 5K)
7:45-8:00 Open play time
8:00-8:13 Worship
8:13-8:35 Tracker Puppet Visit and Lesson
8:35-8:50 Discover Time (activity that correlates with that day's lesson)
8:50-9:00 Review game, then open play
Elementary (1st-5th grade)
7:45-8:00 Fun group review game/activity
8:00-8:13 Worship
8:13-8:28 Discover Time (activity that correlates with that day's lesson)
8:28-8:55 Lesson
8:55-9:00 Review game
(example times from 8:00 service)
SAFETY AT JOURNEY KIDS
YOUR KIDS ARE SAFE
The safety of all children is our top priority. Every Journey Kids volunteer is screened with a background check and trained in safety procedures. The children's wing is secured during the service and monitored by safety personnel, as well as security cameras. In the event your child needs you, your unique code (provided to you at the Journey Kids Check-in Desk) will be displayed in the main worship service.
WHAT WE TEACH AT JOURNEY KIDS
YOUR KIDS WILL LEARN TRUTH
We utilize curriculum from Discovery Land Global (dlglobal.com) and work through the Bible every 3 years. Our interactive teaching utilizes multiple approaches for different learning styles. The goal at Journey Kids is to raise up world-changers who understand who Jesus is and how that changes their lives.
You can view our current Scope and Sequence here:
Questions? Email Beth Rodewald, our Children's Ministry Director, at journeykids@journeydepere.com.
Journey Kids FAQs
Yes! Teachers have all passed a background check, interview, and training process. Cameras have been installed in all rooms for additional security, and we ensure that student-teacher ratio and equipment are up to standard for the highest possible safety for children. In addition, Safety Team members are stationed in the hallway during service.
At check-in, your child's nametag has a unique code that matches your parent tag. That matching parent tag must be presented to pick up your child. The code is also used to notify you during the service if we should need to reach you (the code will appear on the screen in the main service).
A child-friendly, self-serve snack is provided by Journey Kids at the Journey Kids Desk after each service. We typically do not serve a snack or food during Journey Kids. However, if a special snack will be offered, this will be posted at the Journey Kids Desk. At check-in there are stickers available to apply to your child's nametag to alert the Journey Kids volunteers of any allergies. If your child has allergies, please apply the applicable sticker to their nametag every time they attend Journey Kids.
Yes! Children are always welcome to join you in the main worship service. We would love to have your child join us in Journey Kids, but you determine if/when your child would be comfortable attending.
We have a Bluetooth LED notification sign in the auditorium. If your child needs you for any reason, your individualized check-in code will light up on this screen during the service so that you know you’re needed in the classroom. Otherwise, you can rest easy and enjoy the service knowing everything is OK!
1. The Bible: We will keep Bible study our first priority so that we can grow in a relationship with Him.
2. Repetition and Explanation: We will use repetition and explanation of Biblical teaching so that lessons can move from head to heart.
3. Mentor Relationships: We will provide opportunities for children to be discipled so their questions about God can be answered.
4. Service Opportunities: We will provide opportunities for children to live out their faith through local and worldwide service so they can have the heart of Jesus.
5. Prayer and Worship: We will provide times of prayer and responsive worship so children can learn how to communicate with God.
6. Families: We will partner with parents, guardians, and other family members so children can continue the learning at home.
7. Fun! We will provide a fun, safe, and age-appropriate environment so children can love to learn more about God!
In an effort to protect our volunteers and children in our care, we do not allow children who are sick to attend a Journey Kids service.
Children should be free of fever, contagious rashes, yellow nasal mucus, diarrhea, and vomiting for 24 hours before they are allowed to attend.
If a child becomes ill while in our care, you will be alerted immediately during the service via your code.
Kids don’t need to get dressed up at Journey. Dress for fun: occasional arts & crafts, and lots of movement. Shoes are required.
Your child will learn Bible-based lessons from the Discovery Land Global curriculum (http://www.discoverylandglobal.org). This Bible-focused curriculum teaches truth straight from the Bible and shows kids how they can apply what they learn to their lives today. Each week, children receive a take-home sheet that reviews what we learned and provides ideas for further discussion/application.