YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES
At Emmanuel, children are not in the way or a bother, but rather they are an important part of our ministry. We do not just believe that children are our future church, they are our present church as well. Our emphasis year round is family oriented, and the teaching and preaching ministry provides important training concerning the importance and responsibility of the family. Our church will only be as strong as our families. We are not a substitute for a godly family, but do try to help in the following ways:
1. Baby Dedications: The people at Emmanuel believe that the spiritual ministry of parents begins at birth; and so, we encourage parents that are truly dedicated to the Lord, to participate in a public dedication service. Even though this has NOTHING to do with salvation, it does provide a public testimony of the commitment of the parents, and illustrates to our church family the importance of starting early with our children's spiritual life.
2. Nursery Program: We provide a nursery service during all regular services for infants through toddlers. We invite you to inspect our clean, well-staffed nurseries.
Nurseries are not intended just to keep babies occupied, but are designed to provide a wholesome, tranquil, and spiritual environment that will enable the children to become comfortable in the local church environment.
3. Sunday School: Separate Sunday School classes are held each Sunday morning for all ages, two through adult. The younger ages are closely graded so that the teacher is able to give each student individual attention. All the Sunday School material comes from Regular Baptist Press, to assure that the material will be Biblically correct. The entire Sunday School joins together each year for the annual Christmas Program.
4. Junior Church: Realizing that children learn better when a program is more their age, a Junior Church Program is provided during the morning worship service through sixth grade. The objective of our Junior Church Program is not to have a second Sunday School, but to train children concerning the responsibilities and routine of the adult service that they will soon join.
5. AWANA Program: AWANA is a midweek youth club through Junior High. It is designed to provide churched and unchurched youth with an opportunity to learn scripture verses, Bible truths, and spiritual values in a club setting. AWANA also provides for the parents to be involved in the learning and progress of their children.
6. Youth Training Hour: The most challenging and most important age for the church to reach is the Senior High age. For this reason we have a special program designed to meet the needs of our teens. A weekly training hour, along with regular social activities, and rallies are combined to help youth grow and adjust spiritually.
7. Choirs: Presently there are youth choirs for five age brackets: Beginners, Primary, Junior, Jr. High and Youth. Throughout the year these groups provide special music during the morning and evening services, and special events.
8. Vacation Bible School: Each year during the summer months, Emanuel Baptist conducts its Vacation Bible School, through Junior High School. Music, crafts, stories and special features combine to provide an interesting and yet Christ-honoring program, designed specifically for our children.
9. Summer Camps: When children reach fourth grade, they are able to attend the Summer camping program. Our church participates in the camping program at Lake Ann near Traverse City, Michigan. Three age groups, Junior, Junior High and Senior High participate in the camping program during the Summer months. The camp program is designed to evangelize, mature and enhance the social conscientiousness of our youth. Each year many decisions are recorded for Jesus Christ.
10. Sporting Activities: Competitive team activities are available for Junior and Senior High youth. Basketball and softball teams are available seasonally for those wishing to participate.
11. Field Trips: Every effort is made to expose our Senior High youth to the many facets of Christianity. For this reason, our 15 passenger van is kept busy transporting our youth for various aspects of church outreach, missions, Christian colleges, etc. Our youth are also busy in visitation, nursing home ministry and other opportunities for Christian service.
This list is certainly not inclusive, but does give you the feeling that children are important at Emmanuel. It should be noted that none of these programs are designed to assume the parents role in the spiritual training of children. This ministry belongs to the parents, with the church only providing support and encouragement. Parents that leave the responsibility of spiritual training to the church are not only missing a blessing, but are also forfeiting the power of divine blessing on their family. Our well-stocked book and video library includes many excellent helps for parents who would like help in child rearing.