The Preschool and Children’s Ministry at JVBC is called Splash. In the Splash Ministry, we strive to do the following things: supply a Christian foundation for children; prepare families to be Kingdom-centered; accept and love all children; provide a secure environment; and help children grow in faith. The Splash Building is fully equipped with painted murals, two outdoor playgrounds, an indoor playground, a gameroom and many age-appropriate, inviting classrooms.
SUNDAYS
CONNECTION GROUPS
Each Sunday we offer Connection Groups for all children at 9:30 am and at 10:55 am. During Splash Connection Groups, children are grouped according to age to interact with their peers. They participate in age-appropriate activities related to a Bible lesson and enjoy games, playtime with friends, art activities, snacks and learning practical life lessons.
Preschool children are welcome to stay in their Connection Group while their families attend Worship and their own Connection Group in any order that they wish (9:30 am and 10:55 am).
Kindergarten children attend their Connection Group at 9:30 am and W.O.W. (Worship Our Way) at 10:55 am. W.O.W. is designed to teach children how to worship in an environment that meets the needs of their age group. It paves the way for children to understand the basics of worship once they begin to attend worship services with their families in first grade.
Children in first through fifth grades may attend a Connection Group during either the 9:30 am or 10:55 am session and attend a Worship Service with their families during the other session.
The Splash Ministry offers the C.O.O.L. (Children of Our Lord) Class for children or adults with special needs. This class is not age-restrictive, but is taught on a middle elementary level. Necessary modifications are made, and children or adults with special needs are made to feel welcome in the Splash Ministry and in the C.O.O.L. Class.
WEDNESDAYS
Wednesday Nights in the Splash Ministry offer a time for children to practice their musical skills and learn about missions.
Children's Choir
Children’s Choir meets from 6:15 pm until 7:10 pm. Classes are offered for 3-year-olds (by 9.1.11) through 5th Grade. In Children’s Choir, children learn the basics about music, including rhythm and counting. They are also taught a new musical each semester.
Missions
Missions classes meet each Wednesday night from 7:15 pm until 8:00 pm. Children are taken directly from Children’s Choir to Missions. Mission Friends is offered for 3-year-olds through Kindergarten. Children in Action (C.i.A.) is offered for first through fifth graders. In Missions, children learn about local and foreign missionaries, where they serve, and even participate in monthly mission projects.
Childcare is offered for babies through 2-year-olds on Wednesday nights. It begins at 6 pm and ends when parents finish with their Wednesday evening activities.
Safe and Secure
Security is a top priority in the Splash Ministry. We have several security measures in place to make sure that each child is in a safe and secure environment. Everyone who works in the Splash Ministry, including all volunteers, must have a clear background check. The preschool hallway of the Splash Building is equipped with a thumb reader. Only parents and Splash workers who have been registered in our system are permitted into this locked area. In addition, each child Kindergarten age and younger will receive a numbered wrist band when dropped off in a Connection Group class, and the child's parent receives a matching wrist band. To pick up a child from her Connection Group, the parent must show the wrist band.
SUMMER
Summer Camps
The Splash Ministry offers several popular summer camps and a fantastic Vacation Bible School (VBS) each summer. We host a camp for preschoolers (age 3 by 9.1.10) and several camps for elementary age children. We also take preteen children (completed 3rd-5th grade) to an out-of-town camp. For more information and to register for summer camps, click here.
Camp W
Each Wednesday night in the Summer (except for July), we offer Wednesday night activities for children. Children who have finished Kindergarten through 5th Grade can attend Splash Summer Sunsets from 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm. Each Wednesday has a different theme, and the snack, activities, and devotional are designed with that theme in mind.
Camp W, Jr.
Preschoolers can participate in the junior version of Splash Summer Sunsets. Join in the fun as we dive into Summer, preschool-style.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Birth of Baby
When a new baby is born, we celebrate with you. Please contact Shanna Hall shall@jvbc.org to announce your baby’s birth. The Splash ministers love to visit new babies and their families! We will visit your new baby in the hospital or schedule a time to make a home visit. We will even bring a new baby bag as a special gift to you.
Parent/Child Dedication
When you are ready to dedicate your child, please contact Shanna Hall shall@jvbc.org. A parent/child dedication allows you to make a commitment before God and the church body as a promise to raise your child in faith. You will receive some gifts to commemorate this special day including a New Testament engraved with your child’s name, a dedication certificate, and a letter to read to your child when she makes a commitment to become a Christian.
Child’s Baptism
When a child chooses to become a Christian, the next step is baptism. Baptism shows a promise to God to follow Him always and allows a child to confess her decision to become a Christian. Children can attend a class called I’m a Christian Now, which is taught by Elaine Pendergrass. During the class, children learn more about what it means to be a Christian. When a child is ready to be baptized, and the family and Mrs. Elaine agree, we can schedule a baptism date. Once the child is baptized, she can make a permanent reminder of her special day by placing her name, painted hand prints, and baptism date on the wall in the Splash Lobby. For more information about baptism, contact Shanna Hall shall@jvbc.org.
