Preschool/Children’s Ministries

Sunday Morning

Preschoolers:    The goal of our preschool ministry is to support and encourage preschool parents in nurturing and instructing their children in the Lord, meeting the needs of both parents and preschoolers in a safe and secure environment.  Preschool Worship Time provides child care for preschoolers birth through kindergarten during the morning worship services 8:30-9:30 and 11:00-12:00.  Preschool Bible Study offers age graded classes for children birth through kindergarten during the 9:45-10:45 Bible study hour.  All of our preschool activities are held in the Preschool wing.

We offer a few suggestions on what to bring with your preschooler to help us achieve a memorable and comfortable visit for both parents and children.

• a small diaper bag
• one or two bottles of prepared formula as needed; bottles permanently labeled with child’s first & last name
• sippy cups, permanently labeled
• extra diapers, change of clothes, wipes, clip-on type pacifier (labeled)

Children: Children’s Church is provided for children from 1st through 3rd grades during the morning worship services, 8:30-9:30 and 11:00-12:00.  Children attend the beginning of the morning worship service with parents and will be dismissed to Children’s Church during the service.  Children’s Bible Study is held for children 1st through 6th grades during the Bible study hour, 9:45-10:45.  The purpose of Bible study is to help children develop a strong personal relationship with God.  Age-graded classes are provided and all children’s activities are held in the Children’s building (Bldg. C)

Wednesday Night

Our Children’s Ministries provide choices on Wednesday evenings for children 4 years through 6th grade.  The options include: Mission Friends – a track focusing on missions for preschool children; Chimes – an instrumental music program primarily for grade school children, but youth and adults are welcomed;  Children’s Choir – a vocal music program for children from 1st through 6th grades; and C.I.A. – a missions program for children 1st through 6th grades.

AWANA Ministry

AWANA is a high energy, active discipleship ministry which seeks to reach children and youth with the Gospel of Christ and then train them to serve Christ by serving people.  AWANA takes place Sunday evenings, September 18 through May 6.  Gateway has divisions of AWANA from Cubbies through Varsity.  Jerry and Winnie Chambers are our AWANA directors.

Gateway Fellowship Preschool Center

This weekday child care center offers programs for children 6 weeks through 4 years old.   Please see the Gateway Fellowship Preschool Center page.  For more information about the Preschool Center please email michele@gatewayfellowship.org or call (480) 892-0664.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School is a one week summer Bible teaching and activity time for all children.  Vacation Bible School is a great outreach to our community.  Children participate in an opening celebration, then break out for themed Bible study,  missions, recreation, music and snacks.  Vacation Bible School is also a great mission time for our Associational mission center called Casa de Amor.  Our boys and girls compete during their evening offering to see who can beat the other by giving offerings that go to support Casa de Amor.  Kevin and Shannon Lemons direct our VBS.