Have you ever watched kids play? Kids play using 100% of their being... It is a total-body experience!

We want the Children who come to Shepherd to experience God's love with that same kind of total-body experience. From the sights and the sounds, to a kind and caring touch, we want to teach children how to love God with all that is within them.

This is what we believe...

Head:  Education in God’s Word (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Education in God’s Word is key.  Children’s ministry is so much more than babysitting. Ephesians 6 tells us about putting on the full armor of God.  Our children need that armor.  Often children are underestimated.  We need to challenge them to think about and learn stories within the Bible.  It is their Story… 

Heart: Loving God is the Motivation Behind Ministry (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Loving God is the motivation behind growth and ministry.  Loving God with all of our strength is a lifestyle.  I believe true discipleship begins to happen when both head and heart are combined.

Hands: Opportunities to be Ministers Themselves (Proverbs 22:6)
Our children need to have hands-on opportunities to be ministers themselves.  These opportunities impact growth in all other parts of their “body.”  Once a child sees that they can have an active part in Kingdom building they have a further desire to grow.

Arms:  Encourage Learning Opportunities and Accountability within Families and Intergenerational Relationships (Ecclesiastes 4:19-21)
We need to encourage learning opportunities for families to experience.  From offering creative ways devotions can be done together to providing opportunities to minister alongside one another…  Intergenerational relationships are also important in the growth of our children.

Feet: Desire to Spread God’s Love and Impact Others Worldwide for Christ (Matthew 16:15)
Our children need opportunities to discover a desire to spread God’s love and impact others worldwide for Christ.  Developing this active global mindset is critical and the process can begin at a young age.

Eyes:  Developing Eyes of Compassion for the World (Matthew 25:34-36)
Our children need to develop eyes of compassion for our world.  This is very possible in young lives.  Help them see beyond themselves in an age-appropriate manner.

Knees:  Spending Time in Prayer is Woven Through all we do and is How we Communicate with God (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Kids need opportunities to actively be involved in prayer.  Kids need to learn how to communicate with God.  In a group setting, popcorn prayers are an ideal tool.  Also, everything we do in ministry needs to have prayer as a top priority.

Elbows:  Linking up with God is our source of courage and strength (Psalm 46:1)
Especially with all of the inconsistencies kids encounter in society today, they need to know they can trust God.  He is their refuge and strength and wants to help them each and every day.  Knowing Him is critical as they navigate through the twists and turns of growing up.