Childrens' Ministry
Children were not only a priority for Jesus, but are the standard for how we are to live. (Luke 9:46-48) "When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. "Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me," he said. "And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference." It is an amazing experience to learn from and spend time with children. They are a gift that we hold as incredibly important.
The NEST is the name that we give our nursery and preschool area. We provide Nurture, Encouragement, Security and Truth. Your youngest children are carefully cared for on the first floor of the south building. The NEST is staffed on Sunday mornings from 9:20 AM until 12:15 PM by individuals from all fellowships.
The Elementary ministry and area is called SWIFT; there we prioritize helping our children Serve, Worship, Inspire, Fellowship and Train. It is located on the second floor of the south building. SWIFT:Sunday is open from 10 AM to noon. SWIFT:Konnect, our Wednesday after-school program, begins after school at 4:30.
Our priority is that every child would clearly understand what a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is about by the time s/he leaves the elementary environment. John 3:16 is clearly taught as God's rescue plan for all people. When students leave elementary school, they continue their growth in the youth area on the fourth floor of the south building.
NEST and SWIFT are staffed by a combination of paid and voluntary adult workers. Some individuals volunteer every week, others on a bi-monthly rotation or once a month. If you are interested in investing in our children, please complete a volunteer application and then contact the Director. Training is conducted as needed.
Bethany Rodriguez is the Director of Children's Ministry for children of all our fellowships at First Baptist. Bethany coordinates the SWIFT and NEST ministries and directs the volunteer staff. She is married to Jesse and has two children—Diego and Eliana. Bethany earned a degree in Elementary Education with a specialty in Missions from MidAmerica Nazarene University. She has been a preschool and elementary teacher in both public and private schools and missions coordinator, to name only a few of her experiences. She loves watching children grow in their faith as they begin to understand who God is and how great His love is for them. And she loves to see volunteer staff get excited about their kids and the lessons they are teaching as she hears how God is challenging and changing them. In her spare time she spends time with her family at the park or zoo, bakes and investigates garage sales.
Kids: take a look at Bethany's favorite site, Kids Corner!
Parents: take a look at Bethany's monthly note in our church newsletter.
