Children's Ministry

At Riverside, we believe that elementary age children benefit from participating in the worship service with their parents. So on Sunday morning, the children and the parents worship, study, and pray as families. To amplify the teaching and to encourage relationship building, we offer monthly Fun Nights as well as home discipleship (Acacia) groups for this age group.

For infants through Pre-K, we have classes that meet during our regular worship times. We believe that these little ones can learn much about God's love through music, art, and story.

Preschool

He's about a year old, he likes to stick fingers, cheerios, and other inanimate objects into his mouth. He's not talking much, but he does say things like "no" very passionately. He's all about momma at this point in his life, and if she is not lugging him around on her hip, then he is hanging on her jeans.

He is however, completely and wholly consumed by worship. The hunger in his eyes is comparable to someone offering him a donut, a cartoon, and his mother's smile all at once. And when his momma says "praise Jesus," this boy raises his hands, every time.

At the Riverside Community we believe that no child is too young to praise God, and we believe that worship is made more colorful when it is done with the whole family.

Elementary

As we sat in church, I watched your typical wiggle worm of a first grade boy talk loudly to his parents, squirm in his seat, and even express just how boring church was. As the children had their own worship time, you could bet that this boy was going to say something off the chart to get attention or a laugh from the children's pastor.

One Sunday, I noticed a change in this young man's behavior. He took up offering with his Dad and as people gave their tithe, the boy said, "Jesus loves you!"

I have to admit, I was a bit surprised that the next Sunday, this same wiggle worm sat in his seat more still than normal, and quietly too. I passed it off as a step towards maturity.

About a month later, this charming little boy leaned into his mom and whispered, "I am going to the prayer area to pray. I feel like Jesus wants me to do that." Seriously, what was going on with this child?

The mom followed her son into an area where they prayed together and then for one another. It was their first time. Not only had the boy been listening and learning, but now was acting on what God had been telling him. He now uses his boisterous and charming personality to show others God's love.

To learn more about Children's Ministry, email us connect@connect2riverside.com