The Youth and Children’s Ministries at SWUC are largely centered on Proverbs 22:6 which says ‘Teach a child how he should live and he will remember it all of his life’ (NIV). Stability and consistency in today’s ever-changing world are rare commodities and one of our aims is provide a safe place for each child and teenager to come each week, where they know they will see the same people and experience the same love and security whenever they come. We strive to be consistent with what we teach from God’s Word, striking a balance between spiritual growth and practical output by providing opportunities for the youth to serve beyond the walls of the church building.

We encourage authentic relationship with one another, to be transparent about when we are hurting and struggling and to share when God has been good to us (which He is, always!).

Jesus said ‘Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Remember this! Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’ A child’s faith is an amazing blessing and God entrusts it to us as adults to nurture and shape gently until they are ready to accept Him for themselves. Our congregation’s Confession of Faith is similar to Confirmation, where, when they feel ready, the person who has been raised up in their faith stands before their friends and family and accepts God’s promises. The children of our churches are vital to us as their faith reminds us how God wants us to love Him, with no reserve and with no doubt.

We have a number of groups that meet during the week so that everyone has a place to belong.

• Our Promiseland kids age 3 to grade 4 meet on Sunday mornings during the 10am family service (Except for the monthly One Service where they join the main congregation). Our Promiseland Fun Days are designed to get parents interacting with the leaders and children outside of normal church hours.

• Grade 5-7s meet on Sunday mornings for spiritual input and on Friday afternoons for IMPACT, which is designed for fun and fellowship. This is a great place for them to bring their un-churched friends.

• Acts 2 is our grade 8 to 12 group and they meet on Wednesday evening between 18:30 and 21:00 for Youth and on Sunday mornings after the 10am worship time with the main congregation for relevant learning. Exciting news is the introduction of a Friday night, bi-weekly social event in the third term of 2010. This project will have a core purpose of fellowship and bringing teens in who wouldn’t ordinarily come to church.

For further information on Youth and Children’s Ministries at SWUC,

E-mail Gaby Vassard, Youth and Children’s Pastor.