Children
Oakley Children's Ministries
Children's Ministries
The goal of the Children's Ministry at Oakley is for every child to feel loved and welcomed as they enter our classrooms. We not only want them to feel the love of the teachers, but more importantly, we want them to experience the love of Jesus. Unashamedly, it is our number one goal to teach boys and girls about the love of Jesus in the hope that they will come to accept Him as their Lord and Savior. And after they receive Christ, we want to disciple them to become obedient followers of Christ (Matt. 28:19-20).
In addition to being committed to the children at Oakley, we are also committed to the parents. It is our desire to help equip the parents to carry out the God-given mandate put upon them to be the primary religious instructors of their children (Deut. 6:4-9).
Just as we are committed to the children and parents at Oakley, finally, we are committed to the Children's Ministry leaders. It is our desire to provide the children with the very best teachers. Because we want the very best teachers, we are making a huge commitment to them and we are asking them to make a huge commitment to the children.
Children are important at Oakley Baptist. There are a variety of ways children are incorporated into the ministry of the church.
Sunday School (Sundays at 10 a.m.)
Sunday School is the heart of our ministry. We believe that children from birth begin to learn about God as we love them, teach them God's Word, and care for them and their families. Age-graded classes are offered for all children each Sunday. These classes use a systematic approach to teaching children the truths of God's word.
Our Sunday School is made up of:
· Infants/Babies
All infants in this room are cared for by adult caregivers and parent volunteers. We will feed your infant according to your instructions.
· Crawlers & Toddlers
Once your child begins to crawl, they will be promoted. These rooms have adult caregivers as well as parent volunteers. An appropriate snack is provided for the toddlers.
· Twos, Threes, Fours, & Fives
Children in this age group are taught basic Bible stories and songs with strong repetition. These children are cared for by adults.
· 1st-5th Grade
Classes start at 10:00am.
Other Children's Ministries
AWANA Club (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed)
AWANA Club is our newest addition to our children's ministries. AWANA is a discipleship ministry for children of all ages where children learn Scripture and the gospel in a fun and safe environment. AWANA is under the leadership of Shane and Laurie Paige.
Puggles (3 years before Kindergarten)
Cubbies (1 or 2 years before Kindergarten)
Sparks (Kindergarten-2nd Grade)
Truth in Training or T-n-T (3rd-6th Grade)
Our AWANA Club meets on Sunday nights from 6:00-8:00PM beginning on the second Sunday after Labor Day through the end of April (AWANA does not meet during the month of December).
Girls in Action is an organization designed to teach girls (grades 1-6) about missions. These young ladies meet on the first and third Wednesday nights of each month. They work on crafts and take mission related trips. GAs are under the leadership of Carol Fesmire.
Similar to GAs, Royal Ambassadors is an organization designed to teach boys (grades 1-6) about missions. They also meet on the first and third Wednesday nights of each month. RAs are under the leadership of Lee Dixon.
Mission Friends is a ministry designed to teach pre-schoolers about missions. Our Mission Friends meet on the first and third Wednesday nights of each month. Mission Friends are taught by Debbie Cheek and Kim Moore.
Children's Council
The Children's Council plans various children's emphases throughout the year.
King's Kids is a children's choir for children in grades pre-K through 6. It is under the direction of Betty Dixon. The King's Kids choir regularly performs in our worship services. They also perform an Easter and Christmas musical each year. King's Kids practices are from 7:00-8:00PM on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights each month.
Nursery
Even the littlest children are important at Oakley. Our nursery is staffed by trained volunteers.
Security and Protection
We have a security system in place that prevents anyone other than the parent from picking up the child. As you sign in your child, you will pick up a security pager. Simply return the security pager to a nursery worker when picking up your child. These pagers can receive a signal from the nursery anywhere on our campus. Parents are also encouraged to check in on their children by looking through the one-way glass window. If your child needs you during the worship service, we will page you. At that time, please proceed to the nursery area.
Miscellaneous
Your child may cry when left. This reaction is a normal, healthy show of preference for parents. We understand and expect it. In most cases, crying stops in a few moments after you leave. If your child continues to cry after five or ten minutes, we will page you or send someone to notify you. This becomes less common with regular attendance. We hope you feel confident that your little one will receive loving care and understanding. Please ask if you have any question about our policies or procedures. We are happy to answer your questions.
Allergies
Please alert/notify the nursery if your child has any allergies that we should be aware of. Make sure to attach a special alert sticker listing the specific allergy.
How You Can Help
· Label all belongings with your child's name.
· Leave your child at the door.
· Sign in.
· Bring only a well child with no symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, fever, rash, open sores, or runny noses (anything other than clear) within the last 24 hours.
· After becoming a member (Sunday School or Church), sign up to be a volunteer nursery caregiver and help us provide care for our little ones. We currently serve one time per month.
· Parents must be on campus if children are on church property.
· All children four years old and younger must be checked in or walked to class and picked up by a parent or other adult.
Children are a heritage from the Lord and are highly valued at Oakley!