What do we do in our Kidz Church?
Hello,
My name is Dave Balaba, and my wife, Annette, and I are the directors of the Children’s Ministry Department, here at Southpointe Christian Center. We’d like to thank you for visiting our webpage.
To give you a little history on this Children’s Ministry: In 1990, the Southpointe Christian Center Children’s Ministry was established, by a woman after God’s own heart, and a passion for children, named Kathy Snyder. For five years she ran children’s ministry here, we, Dave and Annette Balaba, have been continuously involved some way or another in Southpointe’s children’s ministry department. But, in June of 2007, we were appointed Directors of the Children’s Ministry Department.
Southpointe Christian Centers’ Kidz Church/ Children’s Ministry welcomes kids into a fun filled, disciplined atmosphere. We almost always have games, toys and inflatable games they can play with prior to beginning Kidz Church. With small inflatable houses and tunnels for the younger kids, inflatable basketball hoops and board games for the older kids, and kick back areas for the preteens.
Every Sunday morning, we always begin our Kidz Church with opening prayer, student led or by either one of us. We always encourage the kids to pray out loud to their heavenly Father, by leading out with prayer to start our Kidz Church. We also, always have an opening scripture from a child, from what God had given them during the week. During our opening to Kidz Church, we have announcements of birthdays, visitors and we encourage the kids, at this young age about tithe and offering, and we give them the opportunity to practice their worship of giving.
This leads me to our worship sessions. Our Kidz Church has their own worship team, by the name “Southpointe Kidz”. We teach that praise and worship softens the heart, so that it can receive God’s word. The worship here in this Children’s Ministry, although is different, God shows up. Our worship sessions consist of Banners and Flags, choreographed dancing and plain out, heartfelt singing. Many of our kids come in looking forward to the praise and worship session. Too many kids walk into Kidz Church depressed, mad or sad, and having those kinds of emotions as young children, to us, is not acceptable. So we help them as much as possible to begin to have a softened heart, so that they may receive God’s word on a teachable spirit and heart. We usually try to play a game to help loosen the kids up.
After praise and worship we break down into small groups. Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades, 3rd and 4th grades, and 5th and 6th grades. In each of the groups, our main focus is to disciple the kids and teach them how to effectively win souls for the Kingdom of God.
Near the closing of Sunday morning Kidz Church, each group conducts their own closing prayer. We then gather all together in the Chapel Sanctuary, for a corporate closing prayer.
What goes on in our Children’s Ministry?
Our Children’s Ministry is grounded on soul- winning and evangelism. Since we began directing in 2007, we’ve hosted and are hosting outreach events. Such as Vacation Bible School, which we now call: “Day Camp”, Harvest Fest’, Easter Spectaculars, Home Missions Trips, an outreach program called: “Super Saturday”, that sometimes consist of “Special Friday Editions”, and so much MORE, and most importantly we always give and invitation to receive Christ as Lord and Savior, at every event.
What is Vacation Bible School “Day Camp”?
The first year we hosted Vacation Bible School, it lasted four days for 2 ½ hours every day scheduled, with a Hawaiian Theme. Coming in July 2009, we are hosting a one day “Day Camp” that will consist of almost 5 hours of fun, live music performances, Bible lessons and new friendships. We bring in large inflatable games, food, beverages and so much more. Keep checking back, more info to come soon.
Coming Soon to you in July 2009: “Tell The World” Day Camp
What is Harvest Fest?
Harvest Fest is our safe alternative (for kids and kids at heart), to trick or treating on Halloween. For this event we provide, large inflatable games, food, lots of candy, beverages, live performances and so much more; rain or shine.
What is a Home Missions Trip and Where do we go?
In 2008, we participated in our first ever Home Missions trip, to the Hoopa Indian Reservation, here in California, North towards Eureka. All a home missions trip is, is going to someone else’ neighborhood (home) and sharing Jesus with them. We do the same thing we do here in Sacramento, and take it to the streets.
We are willing to go anywhere the Lord leads us to go. (Mark 16:15)
What is Super Saturday?
For approximately 13 years, we’ve conducted Super Saturday. This is an outreach program where we get our teams together and go door to door passing out fliers for events going on at the church. Conducting park outreaches, where we B-B-Q for a neighborhood, hang out with everyone and simply present the Gospel to them, by showing them love and acceptance to the Kingdom of God.
What is the Super Saturday “Special Friday Edition”?
The Special Friday Editions, rarely happen. Special Friday Editions really only happen the day before a major event, like the Easter Spectacular. But, the Special Editions are really the same thing as a regular Super Saturday, it’s really a promo to an event.
What’s the So Much More?
Glad you asked. The so much more are special events such as: the Princess Breakfast, Prince Lunch and coming soon in December 2009; our first ever Christmas Program entitled “A Servant’s Heart”. At the beginning of the 2009 year, we as the directors declared the Prayer of Jabez over Children’s Ministry. For the Lord to EXPAND our territory. More for the kids, and the kids want more for their children’s ministry. We’ve just recently have been hooked up with eMEGe Records and L.I.D.z, two awesome local music companies that attend and perform at most of our events.
Did You Get The Answer You Were Looking For?
If you didn’t get the answer you are looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact the Children’s Ministry Directors, Dave and Annette Balaba by phone at: (916) 423- 1096 or by email at: children@southpointecc.com. You may also contact the Children’s Ministry Administrator, Kristine Balaba by phone at: (916) 423- 1096 or by email Kristy_girl19@yahoo.com. We are here to serve you in any way we possibly can.