Ministry with Children

St. John’s Baptist Church is committed to walking alongside children and their families as they discover more about God, themselves, and the world around them through stories of faith and caring relationships. Our ministries for children include weekly Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, worship and missions education, PASSPORTkids Camp, and other opportunities for fellowship, service, and faith formation. All volunteers are required to complete a thorough background check prior to serving with our children’s ministry.

Contact our Minister for Children & their Families, Rev. Kheresa Harmon, with any questions.

Nursery

Our nursery ministry serves children, from birth through 2 years of age.

  • Sunday Mornings
    • Sunday School, 9:15-10:15am
      • Our infants and toddlers will grow in faith through music, stories, and loving relationships. They meet on the 2nd-floor hall.
    • Nursery & Worship Care, 10:15-11:30am
      • Nursery Worship Care is provided by loving adults for preschool-aged children during morning worship. Infants and toddlers remain in the nursery, which is located on the 2nd-floor hall.

Preschool

Our Preschool ministry serves children, ages 3 through kindergarten.

  • Sunday Mornings
    • Sunday School, 9:15-10:15am
      • Our children will grow in faith through captivating stories, fun activities, and loving relationships. Preschool, ages 3- Kindergarten, children meet on the 2nd-floor hall.
    • Preschool Worship Care, 10:15-11:30am
      • Preschool Worship Care is provided by loving adults for preschool-aged children during morning worship. Preschoolers remain in their classroom, which is located on the 2nd-floor hall.

Elementary-Aged Children

Our Elementary-Aged ministry serves children from 1st-5th grades.

  • Sunday Mornings
    • Sunday School, 9:15-10:15am
      • 1st – 5th grade children gather weekly for an engaging, interactive, and fun Bible study and music. Elementary children gather on the 2nd-floor hall.
      • From 9:15 – 9:35 a.m., Chloe Hall, our Children’s Music Director, helps children learn songs of faith and helps them understand the role of being a worship leader as the music classes get the opportunity to lead worship.
      • Bible study begins at 9:35 a.m. and concludes at 10:15 a.m.
  • Worship Formation
    • The most effective way for children in 1st-5th grades to learn about worship is to participate in worship.
    • Worshiping with the congregation also gives children a sense of belonging.
    • Our younger church, the children, also serve as worship leaders in the life of St. John’s in a variety of ways: processing with the Christ candle, reading scripture, leading responsive readings, and in our children’s choirs. We believe that active participation and leadership in worship and the whole of church life are important for all ages.
    • Each Sunday, Worship Bags are available in the Sanctuary. The bags are filled with activities to help children engage in worship that day. Bags are returned to the baskets at the end of worship and are restocked each week.

Missions Formation

Once a month, our Missions Resource Team and Minister for Children and Their Families, help children learn about ways St. John’s is doing God’s work in the world and why we do that work. Children engage in hands-on missions through their work with Crisis Assistance Ministry, Baby Bundles, Room in the Inn, the CROP Walk, the Pride parade, and other local ministries in Charlotte. Children of all ages are invited to the monthly Missions Formation, which is held immediately following worship in various locations on our church campus.

Fellowship

Building relationships is important to faith formation. The main way we do that is by enjoying intergenerational time together. Monthly fellowship opportunities for children and their families are offered. Examples of fellowship opportunities include Pumpkin Painting Palooza in October, Advent Gingerbread House Party, Valentine’s Day festivities, Shrove Tuesdays celebrated as Fat Fridays, and Easter egg hunts.

Parents have opportunities for fellowship while their children are cared for by loving adults. For example, Thursdays on the Town bring parents together bimonthly for food and fellowship on the town in Charlotte.