GEMS
Begins the first Wednesday in October. We are excited to learn more about Jesus with you!
GEMS is an acronym for Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior. Our vision is to see girls around the world actively and enthusiastically expressing love for God and others – girls equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faiths.
Our GEMS club meets on the first three Wednesday nights October-March from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the church. All girls of 1st grade through 8th grade are welcome. We focus on connection from one generation to the next through worship, Bible study, and fun activities. We would love to have you join us so we can get to know you all, whether from this church or just from the area!
For information email info@firstallendalecrc.org or go to www.gemsgc.org for additional information.
Cadets
We hope you will join us as we are challenged to be young men growing in our knowledge of who Jesus is in our lives.
The Calvinist Cadet Corps is an independent (non-denominational) youth ministry organization whose purpose is to provide the local church with a ministry program that will enable them to effectively share Christ’s love with boys from their church and community. Founded in 1952, the Corps has more than 600 clubs throughout North America. The organization uses the title “Calvinist” to honor the Protestant reformer, John Calvin, who devoted his life to the religious education of God’s children.
Our Cadet club meets on the first three Wednesday nights of each month throughout the school year from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the youth building behind the church. All boys of 1st grade through 8th grade are welcome. For more information, please email or call Kirt at Kschrotenboer@hotmail.com or 616-566-5626.
For information email info@firstallendalecrc.org or go to www.calvinistcadets.org for additional information.
JAM (Jesus And Me)
9th – 12th Grade
This youth group seeks to develop a relationship with high school students and provide a comfortable atmosphere for each youth during meetings and encourage youth to ask questions about their faith and to be challenged by the Bible lessons. The group of 9th – 12th graders meet from 6:45-8:30 pm on alternating Sundays of each month from September to May, in the youth building. Our first meeting to kick off this year is TBA. If you are a regular, or have not been here before, you are welcome! We would LOVE to meet you! For more information, please contact call Brian & Vicki Kraker 616-895-9596.
Jr. JAM (Jesus And Me)
6th-8th Grade
This youth group strives to develop a personal relationship with the middle school students who attend Jr. JAM’s gatherings and provide a comfortable and inviting atmosphere that welcomes everyone and encourages youth to ask questions and be challenged by Bible lessons. The group of 6th-8th graders meet from 6:45-8:30 on alternating Sundays of each month from September to May in the youth building. Our first ‘kick-off’ meeting is TBA. If you have been here before, WELCOME BACK! If you have not been here before, but are looking for a great group of young people and leaders to hang out with and get to know, while learning more about this amazing Savior we have, WELCOME!! Info: call Kristi 616-498-2770.
Young Life doesn’t start with a program. It starts with adults who are concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship. These relationships don’t happen overnight — they take time, patience, trust and consistency.
So Young Life leaders log many hours with kids — where they are, as they are. We listen to their stories and learn what’s important to them because we genuinely care about their joys, triumphs, heartaches and setbacks.
We believe in the power of presence. Kids’ lives are dramatically impacted when caring adults come alongside them, sharing God’s love with them. Because their Young Life leader believes in them, they begin to see that their lives have great worth, meaning and purpose.
This is the first step of a lifelong journey; the choices they make today, based upon God’s love for them, will impact future decisions … careers chosen, marriages formed and families raised. All ripples from the time when a Young Life leader took time to reach out and enter their world.
High school students meet Mondays 8:00 – 9:00 pm at the Second Floor (Education Building.) For info, email or call Ryan – ryanpaulwhite@gmail.com or 616-822-6126.
In WyldLife, we love middle school kids! They are full of life and yet experiencing profound emotional and physical changes.
Middle school is a time when kids make important decisions about who they are and what they believe. And so WyldLife leaders — who range from spiritually mature high school and college students to moms, dads and retirees — consider it a privilege to be involved in their lives. We seek to model and express God’s love to our young friends by learning their names, hearing their stories and honoring their God-given desire for a life of fun, adventure and purpose.
Middle school students meet Thursdays 7:00pm – 8:00pm at the Second Floor (Education Building.) Info: email or call Ryan –ryanpaulwhite@gmail.com or 616-822-6136.
TLC
TLC stands for “let The Little Children come.”
The children ages 2-3 yrs meet in the church basement during the entire morning worship service, 9:30-11:00 AM. The children have their first experience of church in this ministry and begin to have a desire to come to church. They learn to love Jesus, love their teachers, share, and have fun together in the last room on the right in the basement corridor of the church. Parents can drop off their children before the service and pick them up at the end of the service. Resumes September 8. Info: Call Kay 616-895-4359.
Children’s Worship (4 year olds-1st grade)
This ministry is to provide a meaningful worship experience for younger children. The children leave the morning worship service as indicated in the order of worship. Children’s Worship goes through the Church School hour and is dismissed at 11:00. Meets from September – May in first room on right in basement corridor. Info: Marcia 616-895-6288.
Sunday School
These groups help to nurture and encourage kids to make a personal commitment to Chrsit and to build on that commitment, to instill Biblical truths and Reformed beliefs and challenge the students to respond with their hearts and lives and by doing so the students will be prepared to share their faith with others.
2nd-12th graders meet in different classrooms from 11am-11:45am on Sundays from September to the first of May. It begins September 15. Age-appropriate Bible study, discussion, and activities. Info: Kris 616-644-9920.
For information on any of the programs that we offer please email info@firstallendalecrc.org