New Hope Covenant Church

A note from the Children’s Pastor...

    Welcome to New Hope Kids, the Children’s Ministry at New Hope Covenant Church! It is such a privilege to walk with your child on their journey of faith. Having come to faith in Christ when I was young and growing up in the church, I know personally the impact that an early knowledge of God can have on the course of a person’s life. My heart’s desire is to see children understand very early on that they are deeply loved by a God who is faithful and relentless in His pursuit of them. I feel that it is also important that every child understand that the bible is God’s Word, written to teach them powerful, life-changing Truths. My hope is that an understanding of God and the knowledge of His Word would lead each child into a life-long relationship with Jesus. As they unpack God’s Word, my prayer is that they come to know the freedom that the Truth offers. Finally, as they come to freedom in Christ, I desire for each child to be freed to worship God from the depths of their heart - however that looks!

                   Looking forward to journeying with you,

                          Jaime Howard

About the Ministry

   At New Hope, we value families being able to spend time together in worship. Children in Preschool and up begin the morning in the service with their parents so that families can participate in worship together.  After worship, the children are dismissed and head off to their individual classes. While it is absolutely up to you, we also have a nursery/toddler room for children under preschool age so that they can play and learn in and environment fit for them! This room opens at 8:50 so you can drop your younger ones off and settle them in before the service begins.

   Safety and security are very important to us and so each Sunday, we ask that you sign your older children in at the New Hope Kids table, giving us any important instructions about your child, such as allergies or any information you want us to know.  If you drop a child off in our Nursery/Toddler room, there is a separate sign-in for them located in the room. Please pay close attention to the number before your child’s name as we may display it on the power point screen to notify you during the service, should your child need you. In the classrooms, we follow a team teaching model so that we can provide close supervision of your children in a safe and loving atmosphere. After the service is over, please head to the back door of the fellowship hall to sign your child out. Your child will only be able to leave with you after you have signed them out.

   Our entire church family is involved with our kids; teaching, helping, bringing snacks, encouraging or praying for them.  As parents, your involvement is essential to your child’s faith foundation. Our goal is to partner with you and equip you so that you can apply Sunday morning truths throughout the week. Look for take-home sheets that will highlight what your child has learned each week with prompts for you to engage your child in further discussion and activities that will give them hands-on opportunities to use what they’ve learned. Your role in in your child’s faith journey is crucial and we value your involvement, your input and your suggestions. Our goal at New Hope Kids is to support and equip you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us!

About the Curriculum

   We use a curriculum called 252 Basics. It centers on 3 Basic Truths modeled by Jesus in Luke 2:52:

   I need to make the wise choice. I can trust God no matter what. I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

   By the time children reach the sixth grade and graduate from New Hope Kids into 4:12 (our youth program), we want them to understand and own these 3 Basic Truths! Sounds easy enough, but really living out these truths can take a lifetime. Our goal is to provide a solid foundation rooted in God’s Word and revolving around these core truths so that each child can grow in their faith and put it to use as they grow. To do this, we focus on a core virtue each month that is supported by the weekly bottom line—the learning aim for the day. On the whole, 252 Basics utilizes Bible stories, a core virtue, and a memory verse each month while offering engaging presentations and applicable illustrations of how God works in our lives to make us more like Him. For more information about this curriculum, we encourage you to explore their website at 252basics.