AGAPE Kids
Welcome to Ethnos Community Church and the AGAPE Kids Ministry
It is a blessing to have your child in our program. We provide a safe and loving environment and in doing this hope to honor God by modeling Jesus' love to children, sharing the message and acts of Jesus with them and helping them grow in their understanding and relationship with God.
We sing about God and our love for Him. (Ps. 96:1-4)
We study the Bible and apply it to our lives. (2 Tim. 3:16)
We hide God’s word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him (Ps. 119:11)
We seek to facilitate love and kindness between children so they may experience God’s love through each other. (John 13:34)
I encourage you to stay involved with your child each week as they learn new truths and grow in their life with God. You can do this by assisting with scripture memorization, asking about the lesson each week, allowing your child to serve, being involved in events and attending regularly.
Thank you for the opportunity to teach, love on, and encourage your child. They are truly a blessing to our church!
Angela Bortone, kids@ethnos.us
Director of AGAPE Kids Ministry
Fundamental Beliefs About Children (Psalm 78)
Purpose of AGAPE Kids
We desire to see each child understand his/her need for salvation and become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
The need for salvation:
1. That they would recognize the sin in their lives and their need for salvation. Not everyone is going to heaven and no one in himself is good enough to go. The result of sin is separation from God forever. (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; John 8:21,24; Rev. 21:27)
2. That they would believe that Jesus has taken the punishment for their sins. (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
3. That they would receive forgiveness and eternal life by faith in Jesus. (Eph. 2:8; John 1:12, Rev. 3:20)
4. That they would be sure of their salvation. (John 5:24; 1 John 5:11-12; John 10:28, Hebrews 13:5)
Fully devoted followers of Jesus:
1. LOVE our multicultural God and neighbor. (John 15:13; Matt. 25:35-46)
2. GROW by into the likeness of Jesus by reading His word, prayer and fellowship. (John 15:5; Ezra 7:10; 1 Thess. 5:16-18)
3. SERVE those in our community, especially those who are oppressed and hurting. (James 2:14-26; Matt. 5:13-16)
4. WITNESS to the person and work of Jesus, the Savior of all peoples. (1 Peter 3:15; Matt. 4:19-20; 28:18-20)
Fundamental Beliefs About Children (Psalm 78)
1. We believe children are a gift from God. They are a blessing to a family and church body. (Luke 18:16; Matt 19:14)
2. Children need to be loved encouraged, taught and protected. (Deut. 4:9, 11:19-21)
3. Children are capable of doing ministry as well as being ministered to. We look for opportunities for children to serve using their God given gifts and talents. (Luke 9:10-17, Matt. 14:15-21)
4. Children naturally desire examples of how to live. We attempt to give positive role models. (Deut. 19-21)
5. Children can have fun and learn at the same time. Play is a fundamental part of teaching. Play creates experiences that enhance teaching. Motivation for learning is also increased through “fun.”
6. Children are teachers as well as learners. In most cases adults leading a class can learn as much from the children as the children learn from them. (Matt. 18:2-6)
7. Spiritual impact on children is not always seen. (Pr. 22:6)
8. Children learn differently—to provide for the greatest learning, teaching techniques within programs and classrooms must be varied. They like to dream, be creative and pretend.
9. Children are capable of high learning levels. (Matt. 18:2-6)
10. Children love challenges.
11. Security is a key environmental need for children. (Ps 112)
Registration
Please go to the AGAPE Kids tent. There you will find staff that can assist you in checking in your child. You will be given a registration form to fill out (which will be updated every year or as new information arises). You must fill out the form in order to leave your child with us. After the form is complete, your child will be given a nametag. On the reverse side of the nametag, please list your contact numbers and you 2-4 people who are allowed to pick up your child. Only people who are listed on this card are allowed to pick up your child.
Teachers
Our team is highly qualified to work with your child. Each volunteer has undergone a background check, interview and is deeply dedicated to this church community, understand all policies and procedures, and truly love to spend time with children.
As teachers, we desire to live lives that model solid character. We seek to be intentional by building a relationship with your child, modeling life, sharing the love of Jesus with them, and having lots of fun!
There will never be a leader left alone with one child. There will always be at least two leaders or a leader and a group of kids.
Babies: 1 Adult—2 Children
Toddlers: 1 Adult—3 Children
3 years—5 years: 1 Adult—7 Children
Kindergarten—5th Grade: 1 Adult—10 Children
Any type of physical, verbal, sexual, or mental abuse will not be tolerated and will be cause for immediate dismissal.
Getting Involved
We ask that one parent from each family consider serving as a teacher or assistant six times each year. This helps us in making sure that we have a teacher and an assistant for each class. As a teacher or assistant, you will gain insight into the lesson that will help you engage your children in conversations at home.
How do I get involved?
1. Contact kids@ethnos.us
2. Fill out the AGAPE application
3. Fill out a background check form.
4. Schedule a time to observe a class.
Curriculum
Health and Safety
Sickness
If your child is displaying any of the symptoms listed below, please refrain from bringing them to church to safeguard other children and staff. We request that children have been symptom free (without medicine) for at least 24 hours. We want to keep your kids, other’s kids, and our staff as healthy as possible.
• Fever greater than 99.6 degrees
• Runny nose (yellow/green mucus)
• Persistent cough
• Diarrhea
• Questionable rash
• Communicable diseases (i.e. chicken pox)
• Measles or mumps
• Conjunctivitis such as pink eye
• Lice/nit (48 hrs)
Allergy/Medication
If your child has an allergy and/or taking medication, please make note of this on their registration. A colored dot will be placed on their nametag to alert the staff.ote of this on their registration. A colored dot will be placed on their nametag to alert the staff.
Bathroom
If your child is in need of bathroom help, we will come and get you as we do not have enough staff to have at least two adults in the restroom at one time.
Toys
Each week toys are cleansed and disinfected for the safety of each child.
First Aid
A first aid kit is available in case of injury.
Behavior Expectations
Our major concern is to help children learn to love others. We feel that the progressive nature of this policy demonstrates love by providing an example of grace and understanding. We also know there is a need for structure during class so that learning can take place. We hope to be patient and kind during this progression so that love may abound throughout the process.
Behavior expectations are reviewed at the beginning of each class:
- Listen to whomever is speaking.
- Raise your hand before you speak.
- Respect the personal boundaries of others: keep your hands and feet to yourself.
- Go to the bathroom before class or wait until afterwards.
A child who is behaving inappropriately is:
1st Reminded of the behavior expectations.
2nd Removed from the group to sit with the assistant.
3rd The parent/guardian is notified of the behavior after class.
4th The parent/guardian is retrieved from the church service and the child is removed from the class.
5th The parent/guardian will meet with the AGAPE Team to discuss options prior to the next class.