Hi, my name is Danise McMillen, and I am Director of Children’s Ministries here at Westwood Community Church, which means that I, and our dedicated team, work with kids who are ages birth – 4th grade and their families. Simply put, kids and their families matter to God – therefore, they matter at Westwood Community Church.
We make kids a high priority here, because Jesus called us to do so. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these”(Matt:19:14). As parents, we want to give our kids the best, and there is nothing better than the gift of knowing the One who knows them best and loves them most! Our children define the future, and getting an early start at nurturing their faith helps to equip them for making strong moral and spiritual choices their whole life through.
We recognize that parents are their child’s first and best teachers, and we want to come alongside on that journey. We do that in a variety of ways, such as offering great Children’s programming at all four service times on Sunday. We’re committed to making ministry to kids and families relevant, relational, biblically-based, child-centered, creative and fun!
Little ones experience Christ’s love through the care and nurturing of our dedicated Early Childhood team in Little Blessings Nursery (0-12 months), Little Bits 1 & 2 (12-24 months), and our 3-4-5 ALIVE! ministries. Age-appropriate learning happens through music and movement, special crafts, and lively Bible stories. There are even special puppet friends who make learning about our great big God especially fun!
Building relationship is so important to our Kindergarteners through Fourth Graders: relationship with peers, with adults and with God. And even though we’re big in number, we want to feel small and connected, and PowerZone is the answer! Kids are part of a same age-same gender Small Group that allows them to really connect with one another and their Coach. Your special youngster will feel welcomed as soon as they walk through the door. We want this to be the one of the best hours of their week!
For kids who are here multiple hours on Sunday because their parents serve as volunteers, we offer up PZ2 - an extra layer of fun and learning that compliments the lesson they’ve just learned in PowerZone. Kids love the “station approach” PZ2 has to offer – Computer Stations, Listening Stations, Art Stations, Reading Stations, Game Stations and much, much more! Kids can learn at their own relaxed pace with their own learning style.
Parents of children with special needs appreciate our Guardian Angel Ministry, which provides one to one care for their child while they rest easy and focus on worship. Blessings all around!
Westwood is a great place to be a family! Opportunities abound for families to learn and grow and serve and just plain be together. Vacation Bible School is always a much-awaited time for families to enjoy together during the summer. Trunk & Treat provides a terrific fall celebration, with the Family Advent Workshop preparing our hearts for Jesus’ birth. Family Fun Nights and Movie Nights set the stage for great family fellowship throughout the year. There are even parenting seminars that give moms and dads sound helpful advice to raise their brood.
Partnering with parents in the spiritual nurture of their kids is what we’re all about here at Westwood. We don’t want to do it for parents, we want to do it with parents – together! A big win for us is when kids and families are connected to one another and to their Creator. So, I hope you’ll join us with your very special youngster!
I’d love to visit with you and answer any questions you might have. Email me or call me at 952-224-7300.