CHILDREN's Ministry
We partner with parents to help children embrace God’s love.
Learn to follow Jesus. Serve others.
Values
Discovery Village (DV) is our children’s ministry for birth–5th grade
With stories, singing and games, we worship with children—of all ages and abilities—as they learn to become life-long followers of Jesus.
You will meet many volunteers starting at the Welcome Center to classroom child check-in volunteers to small group leaders. Each person is trained, equipped and gifted to support you and your child as they start their own spiritual journey.
DV Parents
Our DV Parents website is a great place to find out what we are teaching each week or our calendar of events.
Connect with Discovery Village on social media
Our Focus
LIFE CHANGE
PRESCHOOL
Preschool children begin learning how to develop a healthy view of God and the world. With games and stories, they begin to learn that Jesus loves them.
ELEMENTARY
Elementary students learn amazing things about the character of God and that He can be trusted. With high energy, interactive large and small groups, students uncover practical ways to be more like Jesus and respond to the world around them.
SPECIAL NEEDS
We want people of all abilities to grow in their relationship with Jesus. Our Special Needs Ministry creates a safe and loving environment to meet the physical, emotional & spiritual needs of each person.
COMMUNITY
PRESCHOOL
Young children learn about community when they receive consistent care from loving and capable adult volunteers and just being around others.
ELEMENTARY
Relationships are an essential part of growth. Elementary students meet in small groups where they learn they can trust God and others. Small group leaders help the children dig deeper with group discussions and community activities.
SPECIAL NEEDS
We offer both self-contained classrooms and buddy systems. We will work with you to determine the best worship environment and community experience for your child’s physical, emotional and sensory needs.
SERVICE
PRESCHOOL
Even from a young age, children can practice serving—especially in the family and at home. Special preschool events and church-wide serving projects are other great ways preschoolers begin to serve others.
ELEMENTARY
Elementary students really begin to understand how to live like Jesus when they learn to serve. We talk about serving our family, our friends, our schools and in our community. We also encourage children to take part with their families in church-wide mission and service projects.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Every child is special to God and able to serve others in their own ways. We encourage families to serve together with the Giving Table or other church-wide serving opportunities. Sometimes we do serving projects in the classroom too.
Safety
We know it’s hard to plug into the weekend experience if you are thinking about your child’s well-being. We have robust security procedures to protect everyone. Each Discovery Village volunteer has passed background checks and completed training. If you have any further questions about safety, please visit the Welcome Center.
- Each child must be registered to enter our classrooms. The Welcome Center can register your child or you can register online. If you are a first-time guest, make sure to stop by the Welcome Center so we can say hello and get your child(ren) a name tag.
- Weekend Check In: Parents with registered children of all ages can stop by any of the kiosks in Discovery Village to print a name tag for your child and a parent tag. After services, only the person with a matching parent tag will be allowed to pick up a child after services. The numbers will change each visit.
- To view our policies and procedures document, click here.
Children FAQ
Here are a few questions we are frequently asked about Children’s Ministry.
Don’t see your question? Send us an email.
- Policies and Procedures Document
View our most current policies and procedure document.
- Do you offer child dedication or baptism?
Ada Bible does not baptize infants but we offer “Child Dedication” whereby parents commit to raising their children by biblical principles. Send us an email if you’d like more information.
We will baptize a child if they clearly understand what Jesus has done for them and can speak about it in a way so there is no question it is their faith and not their parents’. We prefer a child to have reached middle school age before considering baptism. If your child is interested in being baptized, the first step will be to have a conversation with a Discovery Village or Lifeline staff member.
If you would like to dedicate your child, check out our list of dates and sign up today.
- Do you offer VBS?
We do not offer VBS (Vacation Bible School). We have found that something deeper happens when children get together offsite to learn about God and have fun too. We offer a four day, three-night camp (Camp DV) each summer where we dig deeper into having a relationship with Jesus. Check our blog or children’s ministry emails in early March for more details.
- How do you teach the Bible to kids?
We teach the Bible using age-appropriate stories, interactive teaching, energetic worship songs, fun activities and Scripture memorization. Each child will have gone through the entire Bible every 3 years.
- What do you have for my children and students?
Discovery Village Children’s Ministry serves children from birth through grade 5 each weekend and at each campus. Find more information about Children’s Ministry here. Save some time on Sunday and register your child here before your first visit.
We have Student Ministries for grades 6–12 called Lifeline that meets on Sundays (high school) and Wednesdays (middle school) September–May. We invite those students to join their parents during worship each weekend. Click here to connect to Lifeline. North Satellite students meet at Knapp Street Campus. West Satellite students meet at Kentwood Campus.
- I’m not good with kids… do you have a spot in the children’s ministry for me?
Yes! We have many places you can serve in our children’s ministry, called Discovery Village. You can check children into the classrooms or help out at our Welcome Center. Complete a volunteer application if you are interested in serving in DV.
- What ages are in your children’s ministry?
Our children’s ministry, called Discovery Village, is for birth through 5th graders.
- What does serving in the children’s ministry look like?
We have many areas to serve in our children’s ministry, called Discovery Village. You can serve in the nursery, preschool, elementary and special needs classroom. You can serve every week, twice a month or even “on call”. Not sure where you want to serve? Let’s start a conversation.
Ready to take the NEXT STEP to serve? Fill out a volunteer application and someone will get hold of you as soon as possible.