Children at First Baptist
Children are not the church of tomorrow. They are the church of right now.
We believe children belong fully in the life of this congregation — not as an afterthought, not as a future investment, but as genuine participants in a community of faith. Elementary-age children are asking real questions, forming real convictions, and developing a sense of who they are and what they believe.
Our children's ministry is designed to take all of that seriously. We offer a space where kids can explore the Bible, wrestle with big ideas, make friends, and discover that faith is not something they inherit — it is something they can begin to own for themselves.
— Proverbs 22:6 | Deuteronomy 6:6–7 | Mark 10:14
When & Where
Hours and location
Children in kindergarten through fifth grade gather in Children's Room #1 every Sunday morning. Faith formation begins at 10:00 am, followed by worship at 11:00 am. Children have their own distinctive worship rhythm that varies by Sunday — see below for details.
FAITH FORMATION
10:00 am
Every Sunday
WORSHIP
11:00 am
See worship rhythm below
AGES
K – Grade 5
LOCATION
Children's Room #1
CHILDREN’S WING
You can enter through the main lobby on O Street or through the parking garage. A staff member or greeter will be happy to direct you to our children's spaces.
WORSHIP RHYTHM
Two ways to worship, both fully belonging
We have thoughtfully designed a worship rhythm that gives children both their own dedicated worship space and regular participation in all-church worship alongside the full congregation. Both expressions matter, and both are real.
1ST & 3RD SUNDAYS
Worship Bags
Children join the full congregation for all-church worship, equipped with age-appropriate worship bags filled with activities that help them engage with the service in their own way. They are not guests in adult worship — they are participants.
2ND & 4TH SUNDAYS
Children's Worship
Children gather for their own worship experience, designed specifically for their age, their energy, and their way of encountering God. It is lively, engaging, and theirs.
This rhythm reflects our conviction that children belong in the full life of the congregation — and that they also deserve spaces shaped especially for them. We don't have to choose between those things. We do both.
CURRICULUM
Big Faith: a faith as big as their imagination
Our children's faith formation uses Big Faith from Cokesbury — an engaging, age-appropriate curriculum that introduces children to the foundations of Christian faith through Bible stories, hands-on activities, and themes that connect directly to their everyday lives.
Each year moves through four seasonal themes, building a full and balanced picture of what it means to follow Jesus and belong to a community of faith.
FALL
Faith in God
WINTER
Faith in Community
SPRING
Faith in Jesus
SUMMER
Faith in Action
Each session invites children to encounter a Bible story, explore it through discussion and hands-on activities, and reflect on how it connects to their own lives. The goal is not simply to transfer information — it is to help children discover that faith is something alive, something worth asking questions about, and something they can begin to call their own.
Our Leader
Dedicated, gifted leadership
Our elementary children's ministry is led by a Program Director who brings creativity, pastoral warmth, and a genuine love for this age group. Known to the children as Mr. Bailey, he is committed to creating a space where every child is known by name, celebrated for who they are, and challenged to grow.
Bailey Cantone-Hardy
Program Director for Children
Mr. Bailey leads our children's ministry with energy, creativity, and deep care for the kids and families he serves. He oversees faith formation, Children's Worship, and the full Sunday morning experience for our elementary-age children, working closely with staff and volunteers to make sure every child feels welcomed, engaged, and at home at First Baptist.
FOR FAMILIES
What to expect when you arrive
Children check in at Children's Room #1 beginning at 10:00 am. A staff member will welcome your child, note any special instructions, and get them settled before faith formation begins. We use a simple check-in process to ensure every child's safety throughout the morning.
On Sundays when children are in all-church worship with bags, you'll receive a worship bag for your child as you enter the sanctuary together. On Children's Worship Sundays, children are dismissed to their own space as part of the flow of the morning. Parents may pick them up at the conclusion of all-church worship.
First time? We'd love to meet you. Come a few minutes before 10:00 am and introduce yourself — we'll make sure your child knows where they're going and feels excited to be there before you head into faith formation.
Safety
Your child's safety is our priority
Every staff member and regular volunteer in our children's ministry has completed a background check and received training in our child safety policies. We follow safe-church practices throughout all of our ministry spaces and are committed to maintaining an environment where every child is protected, respected, and cared for with the highest standards of integrity.
Detailed information about our child safety policies is available upon request through the church office.
Also at First Baptist
Care for every age
First Baptist offers dedicated care and programming for children from infancy through fifth grade. As your child grows, we'll be right here with them. All of our children's spaces open at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0 – 2 | Nursery
Professional infant and toddler care available through worship, led by Miss LeTasha.
Ages 3 – 5 | Preschool & Early Childhood
Faith formation for preschoolers using Big Faith, led by Miss Chyrlette.
Questions?
We'd love to connect with your family before your first visit. Reach out through the church office or stop by Children's Room #1 any Sunday morning.