Changes in Kids Ministry This Spring!
By Ellis White, Senior Pastor
Seventy-two percent of followers of Jesus say they first came to faith before the age of 18.
That means most people who will ever follow Jesus begin that journey while they’re still kids.
Which is why children’s ministry isn’t a side program in the church—it’s one of the most important mission fields we have.
Not long after I stepped into my current role, I met with several small groups of Chapel Hill members to listen and learn. I asked people about their story with our church—what first drew them here and why they stayed.
Do you know what came up again and again?
Our kids ministry.
Person after person told a version of the same story: “We first fell in love with Chapel Hill because of the way our kids were cared for and discipled.”
That matters deeply to me. Because when a church invests in kids, it’s investing in the future of faith.
And that’s exactly why we’re making some exciting changes.
Moving Kids to the Heart of the Church
Kids are not just the future of the church—they belong at the center of the church today.
Beginning Sunday, April 12 (the Sunday after Easter), we’ll be making some adjustments to where our elementary kids meet on Sunday mornings. These changes help place our kids ministries right in the heart of our building and our community.
Here’s what will be happening:
- Nursery and Pre-K will continue meeting in their current spaces.
- Kindergarten–3rd Grade will now meet in the Toone Gathering Place.
- 4th–5th Grade will meet downstairs in the Arena.
- And we’re excited to share that we will be bringing back Preteen Worship. Beginning April 12, our 6th graders will be invited to join the 4th and 5th graders in the Arena as part of this gathering.
Check-in will remain in the Hebrews Coffee Shop area, with all three primary kids spaces (Nursery/Pre-K, K-3, and 4-5) located immediately adjacent to Hebrews.
This brings everything together into one central area that will make Sunday mornings simpler for families and help kids feel like they truly belong at the center of our church life.
And this move is just the beginning.
Later this year, we’re planning a facelift of Hebrews and our lobby spaces—part of a broader effort to create an even more welcoming and vibrant environment for families and guests.
A Small Disruption—And a Bigger Opportunity
We recognize this change may create a small disruption for those who often gather for coffee and conversation in the Toone Gathering Place after services.
But we’ve been thinking about how to make this transition work well for everyone.
Since we’ve recently moved our prayer team to the front of the Sanctuary after worship, the Prayer Chapel is now available as a space for those who want to continue gathering for conversation and connection.
At the same time, our complimentary coffee will be moving into the lobby, where it will be accessible to even more people. We’re excited about how this will help create a more hospitable and welcoming environment as people enter and exit our worship services.
More Opportunities to Serve
One of the things I love about kids ministry is that it brings out the best in the church.
This change will create even more opportunities for people to serve with our Kids Team—both directly with children and behind the scenes helping with setup and teardown.
If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, this is a great time to jump in. In fact, we have a Kids Serve Team training on Sunday March 22, in which I will be teaching, and I would love you to be there. It’s happening at 11:20 am following the worship service, and there will be lunch and training until 1:10 pm. Please RSVP to Karen Rodenbucher or Kim Hagey by March 15. You can email Karen at krodenbucher@chapelhillpc.org or Kim at khagey@chapelhillpc.org.
Grateful for an Incredible Team
None of this would be possible without the incredible people who are already serving.
Our Interim Children’s Ministry Director, Sheri Vanderkam, has been doing fantastic work leading this transition and caring for our kids and volunteers. We’re also deeply grateful for the leadership and dedication of Pam Gatto and Karen Rodenbucher, who continue to pour themselves into this ministry.
At the same time, we are still searching for a permanent Children’s Ministry Director—someone who:
- loves kids
- enjoys building volunteer teams
- communicates well with parents
- and has a passion for helping families find and follow Jesus
If you—or someone you know—might be a good fit for this role, we would love to hear from you.
Why This Matters
Remember that statistic from the beginning?
Most people who follow Jesus begin that journey when they are young.
Which means every classroom, every small group, every volunteer conversation with a child matters more than we might ever know.
Years from now, someone may tell the story of how they first discovered Jesus—and that story might begin in a room at Chapel Hill with a caring volunteer, a Bible story, and a group of kids learning together.
That’s why we invest in kids.
Because when we invest in kids, we invest in the future of the church.
And I can’t wait to see what God will do through the next generation at Chapel Hill.
Pastor Ellis