Sunrise Mountain

Believing the Bible, that children are a gift from God, we are committed to helping parents raise their children up to know God loves them, to know more about Him, to discover the beauty of the world God created, and to appreciate and accept themselves as the unique creation of God that they are.

Who

• Sunrise Mountain's Children's Ministry strives to reach and minister to children, grades K-6.

• Sandi Jenkins has recently agreed to serve as Children’s Ministry Coordinator, giving leadership to this vital ministry striving to reach and minister to children, grades 1-6.
  • Sandi brings to the task years of experience and a deep love for children.

  • Of course, the coordinator can’t and shouldn’t be expected to do it all, serving instead as the coordinator of all the various ministries to children, as well as providing coordination for all the many volunteer workers in each of these ministries.

• The answer to the important “why” question is many-faceted:
  • It is during these formative years of childhood that most persons come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

  • It is also the time children learn how to make right decisions that will help them avoid mistakes later on in life.

  • It is the time they develop confidence and self-esteem, and begin to discover their unique qualities that make them the special person God created them to be.

  • And it is during these same years that parents need help in providing the right environment and skills to help foster these positive results.

• Most Children’s Ministry events happen on Sunrise Mountain’s campus.

• Yet, there are times when travel might be involved, such as Summer P.A.K. (Pastor And Kids) events that might feature skating at a local skating rink, going to a pizza parlor or local movie theater or other such activity, it might involve going to summer camp or participating in a missions project, and the list could go on and on.

• However, the main place where Children’s Ministry happens is in the hearts of boys and girls.

• Children’s Ministry is not baby-sitting.

• Children's Ministry is a ministry that...
  • Reaches boys and girls with the good news of the gospel

  • Teaches boys and girls of God’s love for them and the special and unique person God has created each boy or girl to be

  • Helps boys and girls mature and grow in their knowledge of God and their faith in Him.

  • Ministers to and assists the parents of these boys and girls, helping them to be the parents God wants them to be and will help them become

  • Is a shared ministry with all the members of Sunrise Mountain as together we serve as encouragers for children and demonstrate to them God’s love shining out of our own lives.

• Some of the already-present elements of Sunrise Mountain’s Children’s Ministry as shown below can not only help in defining the what but also help in answering the question of when Children’s events occur.

• Sunday Morning Bible study
  • Age-grade Bible Study classes are provided for boys and girls each Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m.

  • Taught by committed and trained adults who care greatly for boys and girls, children will hear the great stories of the Bible and learn about God’s love for them and the wonderful life He has in store for every boy and girl who will trust Him.

• Kids’ Time with Pastor Mike
  • On the first Sunday of each month all the boys and girls are invited to come up to the platform at a designated time during “big church” for a special object lesson / kids’ message presented by Pastor Mike. (Of course, adults can listen in too.)

• His Kids (Children's Church)
  • A team of SMBC adult leaders and some teenage helpers plan and lead these exciting times of worship on Sunday mornings, helping boys and girls worship in the ways they especially enjoy and respond to.

  • All the children, grades 1-6 begin the worship time in “big church” in Sunrise Mountain’s main worship center, but at an appointed time in the service those boys and girls who are in grades 1-3 will “parade” to Children’s Church, following the Children’s Church adult leaders, encouraging first time guests and other boys and girls present in worship to participate in this grand time of celebration and discovery designed just for boys and girls.
    • (Boys and girls who are in grades 4-6 will be encouraged to be “big kids” and stay in “big church” with the teenagers and adults.)

• Awana Club
  • For several years Sunrise Mountain has proudly sponsored an Awana club for 3-year olds through high schoolers.

  • The acronym comes from the first letters of the phrase, “Approved workmen are not ashamed” (2 Tim.2:15).

  • Awana exists “to reach children and youth with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him.”

  • Awana also seeks to reach parents and other family members with the gospel and train adults to minister to youth.

  • John Meschberger serves as Sunrise Mountain’s Awana Commander, and a wonderful group of adult volunteers serve each week (Awana currently meets each Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunrise Mountain’s campus) in impacting the lives and families of boys and girls.

• Kids’ Choir and Wednesday evening Kids’ Stuff
  • Whether it’s through preparing to present a children’s Christmas musical (this past December’s presentation was phenomenal) or doing crafts together or acting out Bible stories or other fun things, Wednesday evenings are a great time for boys and girls at Sunrise Mountain.

  • Meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sandy Jenkins guides the boys and girls in discovering life-changing truths, and they have a lot of fun too.

• Vacation Bible School
  • Under the stellar leadership of Deb Deal and Sherylann Grossman, Sunrise Mountain hosts an all-ages (including teenagers and adults) Vacation Bible School one week each summer.

  • This summer's dates: June 21-26. (See the Vacation Bible School web page for details)

  • Meeting in the evenings from Sunday through Thursday and culminated with a special “Family Night” conclusion on Friday, this is always a highlight of the year and provides not only an intense time of learning, but also music, crafts, laughs, games and snacks.