CHILD CARE – Ministry to the young family, at its very heart, is compassionate and tender care for their children. Nursery, toddler and preschool care on Sunday morning is available from the most exceptional caregivers.
KIDSWALK – Sunday morning ministries for children, caring, playing and learning together about the wonder, grace and freedom found in the person of Jesus. Core value lessons shape our teaching material for kids from grades JK through 6.
KIDSWORKS – Tuesday night elective classes teaching life skills, helping kids discover how they are God’s workmanship, designed and created by him for a purpose and place in the world. Something for JK-SK too!
DRIVING PHILOSOPHY – …what’s it about? What do we teach? Why include “family” in the name? Why not focus on just the children?
At West Park, we have come to understand two very important factors about how children are shaped spiritually. First of all, children are relentlessly and methodically growing in one of two directions – towards God or away from him. There is no third alternative. Sometimes we are fooled into thinking that the middle ground of being “OK” is the best we can do, but our creator never intended us to live in that grey zone. We were created to reflect his glory, sing his praise, live out his love. Everybody, especially children, are subject to daily relentless influences and pressures that are intended to move them – either towards that life or away from it.
Secondly, research provides all kinds of information that tells us that parents are 2-3 times more significant in the spiritual learning and development of children than any other influence, including church or faith based organizations. The primary influencer in the lives of children is not culture, not media, and not even the church – it’s their parents.
As parents, in addition to caring for our children physically, emotionally, mentally and socially, acknowledging that we are the greatest voice of influence for them spiritually can be a daunting realization. That is why West Park’s ministry works to children are intimately tied to the discipleship and spiritual growth of their parents as well. We stand ready to engage children with fun, music, media and action in the life changing truth of the gospel, intentionally developing a partnership with parents, established for the express purpose of seeing our kids encountering the message of Jesus, and growing a heart for God.
Because we know that all the other influences that have impact in the lives of children do not let up, we press ahead relentlessly in our ministry works to see children and families drawn to the wonder, power, promise and freedom found in Jesus Christ.