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Kids Ministry
Welcome to the Kids Ministry at Progressive Interfaith Christianity Ministry, where young hearts and minds are nurtured in a loving, inclusive, and dynamic environment. Our Kid's Ministry is dedicated to providing a safe, fun, and engaging space for children to explore their faith, learn about the teachings of Jesus Christ, and appreciate the richness of diverse religious traditions.
Our Mission
Our mission is to guide children on a journey of faith that emphasizes love, kindness, and respect for all people. We aim to foster a spirit of curiosity and wonder, encouraging kids to ask questions, explore their beliefs, and develop a deep, personal relationship with the Divine.
What We Offer
- Interactive Lessons: Our lessons are designed to be engaging and age-appropriate, incorporating stories, crafts, music, and activities that bring faith to life.
- Inclusive Environment: We welcome children of all backgrounds and beliefs, creating a community where every child feels valued and included.
- Faith and Fun: We believe that learning about faith should be joyful and exciting. Our programs are filled with fun activities, games, and events that make faith exploration a delightful experience.
- Community Building: Through group activities and projects, children build friendships and learn the importance of community, cooperation, and compassion.
- Parent Involvement: We encourage parents to be active participants in their children's faith journey, offering resources and opportunities for family involvement.
Programs and Activities
- Sunday School: Weekly sessions that combine faith lessons with interactive activities.
- Holiday Celebrations: Special events and celebrations that highlight the significance of various religious holidays and traditions.
- Service Projects: Opportunities for children to put their faith into action through community service and outreach.
- Seasonal Camps: Fun and immersive camp experiences during school breaks that focus on faith, friendship, and fun.
Join us at the Kids Ministry of Progressive Interfaith Christianity Ministry, where faith, fun, and friendship come together to create a vibrant and nurturing environment for your child. Let’s embark on this spiritual journey together, building a foundation of love, respect, and understanding.
If I really wanted to help my children know Jesus,
it was going to begin with understanding who God is
—His character and His holiness.
Behavior Doesn’t Change Hearts
The curriculum we choose for our children’s ministries must do more than teach good values and behavior. Because as much as we like good behavior, that doesn’t get to the heart. And focusing on behavior actually puts more pressure on our children to ‘try and fix themselves.’ It sets them up to fail and then feel the weight that comes from not being able to live up to the expectations on their lives.
You see, when children can recognize the very good news of Jesus, and when they are taught about how amazing He is (and His Big Story), they can see how God works in and through them—the good and the bad. And as we sit with Jesus together, we begin to look like Him more and more, and as we look more like Him, we display Him in our actions.
That’s true behavior change, because of heart change.
Now, I’m not telling you to embrace chaos in your ministry by letting kids run wild. But what I am telling you is to remind them that you get it. It’s hard to be good, kind, and loving all the time. That sometimes it’s hard to show gentleness and self-control. But the good news is that when we sit with Jesus and know Him more, He helps us do these things that please Him. Because of the Holy Spirit, we can look more and more like Him every day.
—Reverend Danny Rhoades
The Bible doesn’t tell children to become like adults to be saved. Rather it tells adults to become like children to be saved.
A Child's Story of Baby Jesus
Story by Reverend Danny Rhoades
In the small, vibrant village of Elmwood, nestled between the whispering woods and the sparkling Silvermere Lake, young Emily discovered the story of Baby Jesus in a way that would forever change her heart and stretch the canvas of her imagination.
One chilly December evening, as the last leaves of autumn fell, Emily sat by the glowing fireplace, wrestling with the feeling that the world was much bigger than her eight years could grasp. Her grandmother, noticing her pensive mood, pulled down a large, old book from the highest shelf, its cover worn and tender from years of handling.
much bigger than her eight years could grasp. Her grandmother, noticing her pensive mood, pulled down a large, old book from the highest shelf, its cover worn and tender from years of handling.
“This was my favorite when I was about your age,” her grandmother said, her eyes twinkling like the stars outside. The title read, “A Child's Story of Baby Jesus.” As the logs crackled and the scent of pine wafted through the air, a magical feeling settled around them.
Grandmother began the story in a gentle voice, telling of a shining star and wise men following it from far away places. Emily leaned closer, her heart beating in rhythm with the unfolding mystery. She learned of Mary and Joseph, and how they found no room in the inn but were offered a humble stable.
“But why would a baby as special as Jesus be born in a stable, Grandma?” Emily asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.
“Sometimes, Emily, the most extraordinary things happen in the most ordinary places,” her grandmother replied. “It reminds us that hope can bloom even in the darkest corners.”
Emily’s eyes widened with wonder as they journeyed further into the story, arriving at the moment angels announced the birth to shepherds in the field. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” her grandmother's voice echoed slightly, as if joined by an unseen choir.
The narrative sparked an adventurous flame in Emily's heart. The next morning, wrapped warmly against the nippy air, she decided to recreate the journey to Bethlehem right in her own village. She invited her friends, each taking roles: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men. Emily chose to be one of the angels, spreading messages of peace and joy.
Their small procession moved through the village, sharing fragments of the nativity story with anyone they met. Emily, in her angel costume complete with homemade wings sewn by her grandmother, felt a profound sense of connection to something greater than herself.
Each stop added a new layer to their adventure. At the local bakery, the baker, playing along, declared his shop the Bethlehem inn and offered them cookies in lieu of lodging. At the town square, Emily’s friends dressed as wise men presented gifts at the community’s Christmas tree, just as the magi had presented their gifts to Baby Jesus.
Through her reenactment of the journey to Bethlehem, not only did Emily bring the village together, she wove the spirit of the season into every heart. The adventure taught her about kindness, the power of community, and the profound truth that great significance often lies in humble beginnings.
As the stars came out that night, Emily lay on her bed, the day’s events playing like a gentle melody in her mind. She realized that the story of Baby Jesus wasn’t just a tale from long ago; it was a living story, continuously unfolding in acts of kindness, courage, and community.
Inspired by the journey she had embarked upon, Emily promised herself to carry the message of hope and goodwill every day, not just during Christmas. And in the heart of Elmwood, under the watchful eye of the stars and the whispering woods, a little girl’s life was forever changed by the timeless story of a baby born in a stable, under a Bethlehem star.
Story by Reverend Danny Rhoades, Author
Copywrite: December 21, 2024
