Kid Central

At Kid Central, our goal is to partner with families to raise kids who know, love, and serve Christ.

Special Announcement

We have an important update regarding our children’s ministry schedule. Due to the rise in Covid cases, our volunteer numbers are lower than normal.

At this time we are shifting our children’s programming to an every other week schedule. Please click the button below to see the full schedule through December.

MORE INFO

Getting Started

We make check-in as easy as 1-2-3…

1. Get Registered

If you’re a first-time guest, we’ll want you to sign up at our Welcome Center Desk. Your child will receive a name tag and you’ll receive a pick-up tag. Pick-up tags are just one of the ways we provide a safe environment for our kids.

2. During The Service

If there is ever an issue or your child needs you, you will receive a text message from our team, so please keep your phone available during the service.

3. Pick Up

After the service, parents present their pick-up tag to the teacher in the classroom to pick up your child. If you lose your pick-up tag, just stop at the Kid Central welcome desk for assistance.

Questions?

If you have questions, please look for someone in the Children’s Ministry area wearing a red lanyard. They are always happy to help! Or, if you have questions before your visit to Central, email our Children’s Pastor, Jon Smithback.

What does Kid Central look like?

Infants

The infant room is designed for babies ranging from 6 weeks old to confidently walking. The infant room is staffed by no less than 1 volunteer for every 3 babies. While in the infant room, your baby will receive careful attention, loving playtime, and prayer.

3-Year-Olds

The 3-Year-Old room is designed for potty-trained 3-year-olds. In the 3-Year-Old room, kids will start to experience worship time, Bible story lessons & videos, and crafts. Your child will stay in the 3-Year-Old room until the promotion Sunday after their 4th birthday.

Toddlers

The toddler room is designed for children who are confidently walking up to age 2 years old. The toddler room is staffed by no less than 1 volunteer for every 4 kids. In the toddler room, your child will start to hear Bible stories and enjoy fun toys and activities.

4-5-Year-Olds & Kindergarten Children

The 4-5-Year-Old and Kindergarten room is for kids ranging from age 4 until they’ve completed kindergarten. In this room, children will experience worship, Bible story lessons & videos, small group time, and will no longer be getting a snack.

2-Year-Olds

The 2-Year-Old room is for children who have turned 2 up to 3-year-olds who are potty trained. The 2-Year-Old room is staffed with 1 volunteer for every 6 children. In the 2-Year-Old room, your child will hear a Bible story, eat a snack, and start exploring the world of crafts.

Elementary Kids

The elementary area is designed for children in 1st Grade through 5th Grade. In the elementary area, children are divided not only by grade level, but also by gender. Our goal is for your child to start building a bond with their small group leader. Many of our small group leaders will stay with their kids until they graduate from high school.

Elementary offers large group worship, small group lessons, and fun hangout time.

Kid Central Special Events

Child Dedications

We are deeply committed to helping parents as they strive to raise their children in a way that brings God honor. We usually offer child dedication services as a special time of public ceremony and personal commitment when parents can promise to raise their child in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Due to the current health situation, we will be pausing our child dedications until further notice. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

I’m Interested!

Children’s Baptisms

At Central, we believe the Bible teaches that a child receives salvation through a personal relationship with Jesus. Personal faith and salvation are not passed down from parent to child, and salvation isn’t the result of participating in a baptism. Instead, baptism is an opportunity for followers of Jesus to tell others they have joined God’s family through personal faith.

Here’s what else you can do for your child to be baptized:

Click here for details on our next baptism celebration. (PLEASE NOTE: due to the current health situation with COVID-19/Coronavirus, we are waiting to determine when we will hold our next baptism celebration. Please check back later for more details.)
Contact our Children’s Pastor, Jon Smithback, to let him know you’re interested in learning more about baptism.
Attend a mandatory baptism class with your child (baptism class info will be available soon)

We will contact you with more details after Jon receives your email expressing your child’s interest in being baptized.

Central Jam Children’s Choir

Do your kids love to worship through music and dance? Are they excited about the idea of sharing Christ’s love by performing on-stage? Then it’s time to get involved with Central JAM! Central JAM is for kids in 1st-5th grade and meets nearly every Wednesday, Oct. 21-Dec. 20.

Due to a change in circumstances, rather than a Christmas musical performance, Central JAM will lead worship at all four weekend services Dec. 19-20 (Saturday at 5:00pm, Sunday at 8:00am, 9:30am, and 11:00am).

**PLEASE NOTE: Your child MUST be available and present for all four services to participate this year. We understand that can be difficult with schedules, but this is a requirement for this year’s performances. While we want every family to be able to participate, we will not be able to make exceptions. Thank you for your understanding.

Central Jam Calendar

Central JAM practices run from 6:00 to 7:00pm. Please note: there is NO pizza this year due to COVID. Thank you for your understanding.

Oct. 21
Oct. 28
Nov. 4
Nov. 11 – There is no school, but WE WILL still have JAM.
Nov. 18
Dec. 2
Dec. 9
Dec. 16
Dec. 19 – Arrive at 3:30pm; performance is at 5:00pm
Dec. 20 – Arrive at 6:30am, performances are at 8:00am, 9:30am, and 11:00am

Again, please remember that your child MUST be able to perform at all four services this year.

Kid Central Volunteers

The volunteers at Central are such a vital part of the Kid Central ministry. All of our volunteers have gone through a careful interview process, including a background check and special training. It is our commitment to you as a children’s ministry team to give your child the best experience we can while they are here.

If you have an interest in serving as a volunteer in Kid Central, just click the button below. And if you have any questions, just send an email to our Kid Central team at [email protected].

I’m interested in volunteering!

Staff

Jon Smithback
Children's Pastor

[email protected]
(605) 275-1668

Robyn Ernster
Associate Children's Director

[email protected]
(605) 275-1680

Shirlene Wheeler
Kid Central Elementary Coordinator

(605) 336-3378
[email protected]

Marianne Mergen
Next Gen Administrative Assistant

[email protected]

Kid Central

Special Announcement

Getting Started

What does Kid Central look like?

Kid Central Special Events

Child Dedications

Children’s Baptisms

Central Jam Children’s Choir

Central Jam Calendar

Summer Children’s Ministries

Skill School

Eagle Lake Day Camp

Kid Central Volunteers

Staff

Jon Smithback

Jon Smithback

Robyn Ernster

Robyn Ernster

Shirlene Wheeler

Shirlene Wheeler

Marianne Mergen

Marianne Mergen

Southwest Campus

Downtown Campus

Contact Us

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