Crossing Kids

Partnering With Parents To Develop A Lifetime Relationship With Jesus

The Crossing Kids team works together to create a fun environment that is genuinely attractive to kids. The teaching is biblically driven and designed to encourage interaction and discussion. And for many kids, the highlight of Sunday morning is the relationships they enjoy with their teachers and small group leaders.

Sunday Mornings With Crossing Kids

Little Ones (0-2 Years)

8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
A young child’s faith is nurtured through play, songs, prayer, stories and caring for their needs. Children begin to learn simple concepts about God by studying one Bible Story each month.

Preschool (3-5 Years)

8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Through large group teaching, worship, and small group activities, preschoolers learn that God made them, loves them, and that Jesus came to save sinners.

Elementary (K-4th Grades)

8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Our goal is to present Christ-centered, Bible-based teaching in a way that helps kids understand the Big God Story and how they not only play a part in that incredible story, but are also part of a much larger faith community of past, present and future believers.

Elementary (5th Grade)

8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Fifth graders meet in small groups for discussion to see how the Gospel addresses our doubts, fears, sin struggles, and questions.

Multi-Age Class

9:30 and 11 a.m.
Children attending multiple services are combined in a separate classroom for games, crafts, and a short devotion. This upbeat and high energy class provides children with an opportunity to do something different, rather than participate in the same lesson twice.

Serve

Everyone has a different place they fit best on the Crossing Kids team. Some fit with little kids, others with older kids. Some are meant to teach and others fit in a group building relationships with kids. Some will even fit best behind the scenes on our registration team. Wherever your gifts fit best, that’s where we want you to serve.

Learn More

Crossing Kids Core Values

Partnering With Families

The church must partner with familes, because God intends kids to learn in context of family relationships.
Two combined inflences make a greater impact than two separate influences.

Targeting The Heart

God’s word teaches that behavior is rooted in the heart. Therefore, we want children to have a heart to follow God, not just go through outward motions.
Teaching must focus on cultivating a heart that loves God and trusts His promises above all else, rather than just seeking to change behavior.

God-Centered, Grace-Centered Teaching

Teaching must be centered on God’s word.
Teaching must focus on the gospel of God’s grace as the primary motivation for obeying Christ.
Teaching must be application-oriented, rather than just imparting knowledge.

Relationship With Others

Relationships with others in the church are an essential component for spiritual growth.
Learning and relationships should always be in a safe, caring and comfortable environment for children.

Serving

We must teach children that everything we have is given to us from God and should be used to bring Him glory.
We must provide opportunities for children to express their faith through serving, giving, and reaching out to others both inside and outside the church.

Kid-Relevant Teaching

Teaching must be appropriate to a child’s physical, social, cognitive, and spiritual development.
Different children have different learning styles, so we must teach in a variety of creative ways.
We must seek to understand a child’s cultural influences and relate to that culture, while never compromising biblical truth.

Legacy Series

You’re going to leave a spiritual legacy in your child’s life. Every parent does. The question is not whether you will leave a legacy but what kind of legacy it will be. God has designed you to be the primary spiritual leader in your kids’ lives. The Legacy Series is intended to help you understand and equip you for this role God’s given you.

Kids Club

Kids Club is a one-of-a-kind, week-long summer camp experience for ages 3 through 5th grade. Throughout the week, children will build relationships with volunteers and other kids as they learn about important Biblical truths through drama, worship, storytelling, crafts, games, and more.

Learn More

Family Events

Family Events provide a fun opportunity for you and your child to hear developmentally appropriate, Gospel-centered teaching together. This setting allows families to get to know each other better, worship as a family, and prepare for follow up questions and family devotional time.

Registration

1. Children’s Registration System: Drop-off:

Every Sunday, parents register children, ages 0 thru 5th grade, at a check-in station. They will then receive a computer-generated nametag and security code tag for each individual child for the parent to keep and use to pick up their child. On both of these tags, a random security number will appear.

2. Children’s Registration System: Pick-up

Parents MUST turn in their security code tag and it MUST match the tag on the child in order to pick up their child. A classroom team member at the door will collect the security code tag and initial the child’s name from the roster once he/she has left safely with the parent.

3. What if the parent loses their security tag?

If the parent has lost the security code tag, they will need to verify their identification with a person at The Crossing Kids Welcome Desk. We cannot allow any child to leave with anyone who does not have the security tag match.

4. Contacting Parents on Sundays

We currently use cell phones as our paging system for children ages 0–5th grade. Parents will enter their cell phone number when they register their child on the first Sunday they attend. It is important for you to turn your cell phone on vibrate before you enter the worship service. If we do page you, The Crossing’s phone number will appear on your phone: (573) 256-4410 (it will be helpful to save that number in your phone). If you have more than one child in Children’s Ministry, you will be responsible for coming to The Crossing Kids Welcome Desk to find out which child needs attention. Vibrating pagers are available for parents who have children aged two and under and who do not have a cell phone.

5. New Family Form

To save you time when your family is attending for the first time, please fill out this form and bring it with you to the Welcome Desk.

Safety

One of our main goals as a ministry is to make sure that your child is safe and secure on Sunday mornings. Here are the safety precautions and policies we’ve set to meet that goal:

1. Screening Volunteers

All Children’s Ministry volunteers are screened using an application, national background check, and personal meeting with the children’s ministry staff.

2. Two Deep Policy

There must be at least two volunteers (or a volunteer and parent) in the children’s classrooms at all times.

3. Bathroom Policy

Volunteers must avoid going into the bathroom with a child, if possible. If a child needs help, they are to leave the stall door open and the bathroom door open (if possible). Only women volunteers may take girls to the bathroom.

Room Closings

We know that as a parent, who has spent their morning getting their children up and ready for church, it would be very frustrating to arrive at church only to find out that your child cannot attend their normal class. We understand your frustration and disappointment and sincerely do not want to send children away from our ministry.

In an effort to help you understand some of our reasons for closing classrooms, we have put together a few FAQ’s:

1. Why would you ever close a classroom?

One of our main goals in children’s ministry is to provide a safe and constructive learning environment with enough volunteers, space, and supplies for each child in the room. Since classroom space is limited, closing our rooms is the only option at this point.

2. What time are classrooms open and what time will they possibly close?

Our classrooms will be open and available 15 minutes before the service starts. The closer to the service start time, the more likely a classroom will close.

3. What are my options if my child’s classroom does close?

Once a particular classroom hits our maximum number of kids, your child will automatically be moved to the next available classroom either up or down an age. (as long as those classes are still open) However, we will not move a preschooler to kindergarten or vice versa.

You also have the option of taking your child with you to the worship service. Please alert someone at the Crossing Kids desk if you decide to do this so we can take their name off our rosters.

We have designed an activity bag for your child to enjoy while he or she attends the worship service with you. This bag includes a sermon note page, crayons, and play dough. Our desire is to help your child engage and learn in the service since they cannot attend their normal Crossing Kids class.

4. Is it possible that one child would be able to attend his/her class but another would not?

Yes. We will close specific classrooms when they reach our maximum for that classroom.

5. If I arrive before the 9:30 a.m. service and my child’s class is already closed, can I sign them into the 11:00 a.m. service?

No, unfortunately, you will need to come back closer to the next service to register them.

6. If I have further questions, whom do I contact?

Christine Simon, Crossing Kids Director

AGAPE KIDS

To provide unconditional love and support to kids with special needs and their families.

Agape Kids exists to provide:

volunteers for children so they can participate in a supportive, integrated learning environment
including assigned buddies as needed.
information, resources and training for volunteers serving with children.
encouragement and support to parents including resources for information and local activities.
Parent Nights Out

If you have a child with special needs, please contact Agape Kids BEFORE you come for a visit so we will have enough time to find a buddy to be with your child. It would help us if you would also fill out this form ahead of time.

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this volunteer form and contact us: Agape Kids.

Crossing Kids Babysitters

There are two different ways to become a sitter at The Crossing.

Parent Babysitter List:

Each semester, Crossing Kids puts together a list of potential babysitters for families in the church. All of the sitters attend The Crossing, but parents are responsible to screen the sitters themselves. It is also between the sitters and families to determine the wages. Parents can pick up a copy of this list at the Crossing Kids Kiosks.

If you are interested in signing up to be on the list as a babysitter, your personal information will be available on the list given to families. This will allow families to contact you when they have a need for a sitter. We update this list for parents once a month as sitters are added.

To sign up as a sitter, please click here to register.

Special Events Sitters:

The Crossing hosts a variety of special events for many ministries. Most of these events offer childcare for families and sitters are needed in the classrooms. Therefore, we create a list of sitters to hire just for special events.

In order to be placed on this list, each sitter must complete a background check, attend a safety training, and must be willing to follow the expectations listed below.

Job Description for Special Events:

Communicate with the special events childcare coordinator
Follow all Crossing Kids policies regarding emergencies, illnesses, injuries, bathrooms, and allergies
Assist with check-in and check-out according to the Crossing Kids system
Check for special needs and allergies of the children
Follow the classroom schedule set by the special event coordinator
Help children feel comfortable and enjoy their time in the classroom
Adhere to the cleanup responsibilities posted in the classroom

If you are interested in becoming a special events sitter, please email Amy.

Parent Connection

Parent Connection is Crossing Kids’ weekly email for parents of infants–5th. Inside you’ll find access to all of what your kids are seeing, hearing, and doing on Sunday mornings in Crossing Kids. Click the “Learn More” tab below to subscribe.

Learn More

Family Devotionals

These resources are written by The Crossing Kid’s Staff for your family to learn and worship together.

HOLIDAY DEVOTIONALS

ANYTIME DEVOTIONALS

SUMMER DEVOTIONAL

You Are With Me (Psalms Devotional)

Books On Parenting

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd and Margy Tripp

Provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child’s heart into the paths of life.

Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd and Margy Tripp
Provides a consistent, persuasive, biblical framework for understanding the world God has made and their place in it.

A Mother’s Heart by Jean Fleming

Insights on how to develop godly values, vision and character – and how to instill those same qualities in your children.

Praying the Bible for your Children by David and Heather Kopp (Out of print – order used.)

Guides parents to pray vital things and claim God’s glorious promises for their kids.

Praying the Bible for your Baby by David and Heather Kopp (Out of print – order used.)

Guides parents to pray vital things and claim God’s glorious promises for their baby.

What is a Family? by Edith Schaeffer

Explores the problems and challenges facing all Christian families today.

Raising Kids Who Hunger for God by Benny & Sheree Phillips (Out of print – order used.)

Guidebook to help your children to want to love, know and follow God.

Parenting is Heart Work by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller

Practical tools to get into your children’s hearts.

Faith Begins at Home by Mark Holman

Practical ideas to help parents establish their homes as the primary place where faith is nurtured.

Spiritual Growth of Children by John Trent, Ph.D., Rick Osborne, Kurt Bruner

Encouragement and counsel gathered from parents and experts, to help us become intentional about passing on our faith to our children.

“Don’t Make Me Count to Three!”: A Mom’s Look at Heart-Oriented Discipline by Ginger Plowman

Encourages and equips moms to reach past the outward behavior of their children and dive deeply into the issues of the heart.

Parenting in the Pew by Robbie Castleman

Guiding your children into the joy of worship.

Wise Words for Moms by Ginger Plowman

Verse Chart for dealing with different discipline issues.

Everyday Talk: Talking Freely and Naturally about God with your Children by John Younts

Everyday Talk offers practical, creative ways for parents to talk to their children everyday about God and His ways. Learn how to use ordinary conversations to show your kids the goodness and wisdom of God.

Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony

Provides practical ways to ignite faith in your family.

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof

Provides ideas on how you can increase your parenting capacity by connecting with the church to engage your family in a bigger story.

BOOKS FOR PARENTS WITH YOUNGER KIDS

Small Beginnings by Barbara Curtis

While playing, doodling, and just being a kid, your children can also be practicing muscle control, concentration, orderliness and other basics that will help you encourage a toddlers’ natural love of learning.

The Action Bible by Doug Mauss

Here’s the most complete picture Bible ever! And it features a captivating, up-to-date artwork style—making it the perfect Bible for today’s visually focused culture.

On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo &Robert Bucknam

The principles presented will help parents develop a plan that meets both the needs of a new baby and of the entire family.

Preparation for Parenting by Gary and Ann Marie Ezzo

The same principles from On Becoming Babywise but more fleshed out with a biblical framework.

Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick

All of us want to raise good kids. And we want to be good parents. But what exactly do we mean by “good?” And is “being good” really the point?

Mother-daughter team Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson contend that every way we try to make our kids “good” is simply an extension of Old Testament Law—a set of standards that is not only unable to save our children, but also powerless to change them.

No, rules are not the answer. What they need is GRACE.

Recommended Devotionals

FOR PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5)

My ABC Bible Verses by Susan Hunt, Yvette Banek

Hiding God’s Word in Little Hearts through verses, stories and questions.

Read Aloud Bible Stories (Volume 1, 2, 3, 4) by Ella Lindvall

Wiggles, Giggles & Popcorn by Kirk Weaver

Spiritual Family Time Activities for Preschoolers.

Bubbles, Balloons & Chocolate by Kirk Weaver

Spiritual Family Time Activities for Preschoolers.

FOR ELEMENTARY CHILDREN

Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan & Richie Hunt

Teach the basic truths of the Christian faith to your children through verses, stories and questions

Little Pilgrims Progress by Helen L. Taylor

Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime by Janet and Geoff Benge

Odyssey Tape Series by Focus on the Family

Running the Race by Kirk Weaver

Spiritual Family Time Activities for Preschoolers.

Playing for Keeps by Kirk Weaver

Spiritual Family Time Activities for Preschoolers.

Seeing is Believing by Kirk Weaver

Spiritual Family Time Activities for Preschoolers.

Smashed Tomatoes, Bottle Rockets and Other Outdoor Devotionals You Can Do with Your Kids by Tim Shoemaker

A collection of 24 active, outdoor devotionals written for dads by a dad that dads and kids will enjoy.

Mashed Potatoes, Paint Balls and Other Indoor/Outdoor Devotionals You Can Do with Your Kids by Tim Shoemaker

A collection of 24 activity-based devotionals for indoors and outdoors that all children will enjoy.

Bashed Burritos, Green Eggs and Other Indoor/Outdoor Devotionals You Can Do with Your Kids by Tim Shoemaker

A collection of 12 indoor and 12 outdoor activity-based “yawn- stopper” devotionals for older elementary aged kids.

The Deliberate Kids Toolbook by Heather Joel

A 10 week devotional for families that coincide with the deliberateKids CD.

The Big God Story by Michelle Anthony

A storybook to read and discuss with your children that paints a picture of the hero in the story of the Bible.

Recommended Bibles For Children

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones

This Bible invites children to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God’s great story of salvation – and at the center of their story, too.

The Rhyme Bible Storybook by Linda Sattgast

The Adventure Bible for Young Readers (NIrV) – Zonderkidz

FOR ELEMENTARY CHILDREN

Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan & Richie Hunt

Teach the basic truths of the Christian faith to your children through verses, stories and questions

Little Pilgrims Progress by Helen L. Taylor

Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime by Janet and Geoff Benge

Odyssey Tape Series by Focus on the Family

Running the Race by Kirk Weaver

Spiritual Family Time Activities for Preschoolers.

Playing for Keeps by Kirk Weaver

Spiritual Family Time Activities for Preschoolers.