Children & Families

Be the face and voice of comfort!

We want kids to belong in the Neighborhood and to get the care and attention they need. Some kids struggle during a Sunday morning service and need a friend to help them thrive. This friend, or “buddy,” is a caring and attentive student or adult who sticks by one kid to help them belong. A buddy will help the child participate in the activities just like everyone else, so they can belong too. A buddy won’t need to work with the child separately or teach them a lesson; they simply give the support necessary so the child can thrive and belong in the Neighborhood environment. Buddies meet a kid where he or she is at and give them the individual attention needed. Though this is an important and impactful role, a college degree or years of experience is not required to serve—the Children’s Ministry team will provide the necessary training. This is a particularly helpful role for high school and college students! Wherever you are in life, if you love kids and have a heart to help them thrive spiritually, we are excited to have you on the team!

Help little ones discover God’s love for them!

Volunteers lead young kids toward knowing Jesus by playing with them, keeping them safe, reading Bible stories, engaging in fun worship, and serving snacks.

Adults 18 and over who pass a background check and students age 12 and up who are known by CM staff are eligible to serve in the Little Neighborhood. Younger kids can also serve when a parent helps in the same room.

The Little Neighborhood is open for kids from newborns through pre-kindergarten:

NURSERY: For newborns, infants and toddlers under age 2, a safe, loving environment where kids experience care and volunteers can take part in the main worship service via closed-circuit TV.

GREEN ROOM: Our 2-year-olds are welcomed to an environment with a little more structure. Kids will have free play time, a Bible story, group discussions, songs and a snack.

ORANGE ROOM: This room is set aside for our 3-year-olds with more space to play and greater interaction with caring volunteers who teach Bible lessons and lead fun activities.

RED ROOM: A pre-kindergarten-style Neighborhood environment with bigger toys, more independent play, and a Bible lesson tailored to growing minds.

Little Neighborhood volunteers can join for a particular week, or sign up for a recurring role on a monthly, bimonthly, or weekly basis. The Little Neighborhood wing is open during both services, although the infant/toddler nursery is staffed only during the 9 a.m. service.

Show kids the welcome and love of Jesus!

Two guides interact with kids during free play and shepherd a group through the three stations of the morning – teaching, activities and discussion. These leaders have the most consistent time with kids and the best opportunity to form relationships.

Lead kids in living out the truth!

Three captains join kids in the gym for fun, tactile activities that help them process what they’ll learn in the Bible teaching segment. You’ll get to help kids consider way to practice what they learned throughout the week. Each group (K-1st, 2nd-3rd and 4th-5th graders) is in the room for 15 minutes each.

See God at work in kids’ lives!

Three hosts in Connect 8/9 sit at a round table with a group of 5 or 6 kids and talk through a set of prepared questions, watching a fun themed video about the topic as well as an animated recap of the Bible story. Catch up on what’s happening in kids’ real lives and share how God is changing you, too. Each group (K-1st, 2nd-3rd and 4th-5th graders) is in the room for 15 minutes each.

Guide families into a safe, smooth Sunday morning!

These volunteers help parents check-in their kids, print nametags, answer questions, and give directions to the various rooms in the kids’ wing. They have the vital role of making parents feel their kids are safe and cared for, and giving families a positive onramp into their Sunday worship experience.

These are also the folks who welcome new families and collect the information needed to bring kids into the wing safely. They contact parents if kids need them during the service and direct families to where to pick up their kids afterward.

Check-in volunteers can serve regularly or on an as-available basis, and they are needed during both worship hours.