The elementary ministries (grades 1-5) at Ivanrest Church are not just another activity or event for your calendar. The leaders of these ministries are passionate about building deep relationships and a long lasting community. In a safe, high energy environment, they teach, engage, and love kids through lessons, games, movies, and much more. It’s a place where every effort is made to prepare the kids how to be a light in our dark world. A place to explore God’s presence through worship and to discover the Gospel Story in a way that they may have never experienced before.
Gather and Grow
The Bible is not a collection of stories. It is one story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and death. It is the story of redemption, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. And it is our story too! Through the years each student is part of Gather & Grow, they will hear the entire gospel story…how it ties together…and how it is part of their story.
Designed for children in grades 1-5, Gather and Grow meets on Sunday mornings, following the morning worship service (11:15am – 12:00pm). Each week leaders strive to engage and love kids through lessons, games, videos, activities, and much more as they learn to become life-long followers of Jesus. After spending time worshipping and learning in a large group, small groups by grade dive a little deeper together to drive home the truth of each lesson.
GEMS
GEMS: Pink, sequins, and glitter glue! GEMS is a place where friendships blossom, and girls learn how to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They learn to look past the magazines and movies, and how to see their beauty and talent through Jesus’ eyes.
Designed for elementary aged girls (grades 2-5), GEMS typically meets twice a month on Wednesday evenings (6:30-8:00pm) from September-April. GEMS stands for Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior, which encapsulates our purpose of brining girls into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. To help foster this all-important relationship between each girl and Christ, other relationships are nurtured as well – namely, with their peers and their caring leaders.
Girls will have a great time sharing devotions, creating arts and crafts, participating in service projects, and sharing lots of laughter! Led by caring women, girls will be encouraged to learn, share, and reach out to others. Girls are grouped according to grade.
Cadets
Cadets: Dodgeball, saw dust, and derby cars! Cadets is a place where boys can hang out with their friends, build projects together, and also have the space and encouragement to have a relationship with Christ.
Designed for elementary-aged boys (grades 2-5), Cadets typically meets twice a month on Wednesday evenings (6:30-8:00pm) from September-April. The Cadet program enables and equips boys to discover practical applications of principles God has revealed in his Word, cultivate practical and developmentally appropriate skills through projects, and nurture each boy’s relationship with their peers, their leaders, and with Christ.
Boys will have a great time learning about God, building projects, participating in service projects, and sharing lots of laughter! Led by Christ-following men, boys will be encouraged to learn, share, and reach out to others. Boys are grouped according to grade.
What should I expect upon arrival?
All of our Elementary ministries meet in the West Wing of Ivanrest Church. Upon arriving for Gather and Grow, GEMS, or Cadets, you and your child will be warmly greeted by our volunteers who will also provide with clear direction and instruction for checking in your child(ren).
Who will be leading my child(ren)?
Ivanrest Church considers the safety of each child as the highest priority. Each volunteer has gone through a background screening and is trained and equipped to care for and love these children while investing in their lives. These amazing volunteers strive to build deep relationships for long lasting community.
Community Events
Our Student Ministries Team works with our Outreach Team to provide a few family-friendly community events each year for families with children 10 and under. Check out the Outreach page for more information.
For more information about Student Ministries (grades 1-5), contact Ashley Kooiker.