WEBSITE BLURB (updated monthly) Baptism Class is offered for children in 1st 6th grade who wish to be baptized. In each class children will be taught the plan of salvation, how to become a Christian, and the meaning of baptism. At the conclusion of the class each child will sign up for a special interview with one of our children s ministry staffers to answer any questions they have about salvation or baptism and to ensure that each child understands the commitment they are making to become a Christian and to be baptized. Baptism Class is a prerequisite for children to get baptized at High Desert Church and a parent/guardian is required to attend with their child. Baptism Class Dates Apple Valley Campus: location at times Victorville Campus: location at times Baptism Dates Apple Valley Campus:??? Victorville Campus:??? BAPTISM CLASS POST (posted the week of) Interested in getting your child baptized at the Victorville Campus? All 1st - 6th grade children desiring to get baptized need to attend a meeting with at least one parent/guardian. These meetings are designed for us to help you and your child understand the meaning of salvation and baptism. The baptism class consists of two sessions. The first session is educational in nature. The second session is where you and your child will meet with one of our children s ministry staff and make sure that your child is ready for water baptism. Our next baptism class will be THIS Sunday,???, at 11am in Trailers 1 & 2. You do not need to schedule an appointment for this class. All you need to do is attend with your child. Interviews will be scheduled during the following week at a convenient time. Baptism itself will take place during our weekend services on???. If you have any questions please feel free check to call the church office at 760-245- 2415 or email Susan at swhite@highdesertchurch.com and we'd be glad to give you more information.
ANNOUNCEMENT LETTER TO PARENTS Dear Parents, I am so excited to tell you about a new class that we re going to be launching at the Victorville Campus that will help you help your child understand salvation and baptism. Let me explain: The first time somebody told me about baptism I freaked out. As a second grader, hearing my pastor casually mention that somebody was going to hold me underwater while my parents watched (and that God was actually OK with this) was not at all what I pictured. I thought it would be more like when August Gloop did a header into Willy Wonka s chocolate river while the Oompa Loompas looked on in sheer amazement. Needless to say that my bubble was burst. I left VERY confused (and terrified of both my pastor and water). As the years went on nobody ever really took the time to explain to me what baptism was and why it s important in a way that I, as a child, could understand. As our children s pastor I want to help make sure this doesn t happen to your children. That is why we are offering a kids baptism class once a month to help your children understand how to have a relationship with Jesus. Here s a little more about it: WHAT IS IT?: A unique presentation where parents and kids learn what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Kids Baptism Class is a one-time class developed to give parents a tool to help them start talking to their kids about faith. WHO S IT FOR?: 1st - 6th Grade kids and their parents at our Victorville Campus. WHEN IS IT?: The 3rd Sunday of every month. Our first class is NEXT Sunday, May 15 at 11am in T1/2. If you have any questions about this class please call us at the church office at 760-245- 2415 ext. 3 or email Susan at swhite@highdesertchurch.com. You do not need to sign up for the class. Just show up! My hope and prayer is that this class will be a resource for you and your family as we partner with you in preparing your kids to change their worlds for Jesus! Jeff Mc Clung Minister to Children jmcclung@highdesertchurch.com
SALVATION FOLLOW-UP LETTER TO PARENTS Congratulations! There s a good chance that you re reading this letter because your child has recently made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their life. This is exciting and we want to do everything possible to help you help them grow and explore the new Christian life they have just started. Take the Next Step So you may be asking yourself, What s next? Great question! (Thanks, I wrote it.) Here are three things you can do to help your child take the next step in their faith journey: 1. Encourage them to get baptized Baptism is telling others about the decision you have made to accept Jesus as your Savior. Baptism shows new life as a Christian. Baptism is our way of showing people that we want to put God first in our life and do what He says. Baptism DOES NOT make you a Christian. It shows that you already believe. The Children s Ministry at High Desert Church would like to partner with you in this endeavor by personally inviting you and your child to attend our Kids Baptism Class: WHAT IS IT?: A unique presentation where parents and kids learn what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Kids Baptism Class is a one-time class developed to give parents a tool to help them start talking to their kids about faith. WHO S IT FOR?: 1st - 6th Grade kids and their parents at our Victorville Campus. WHEN IS IT?: The 3rd Sunday of every month. Our next class is??? at 11am in T1/2. 2. Hang their New Believer s Certificate somewhere that they will see it each day This is a great way to keep your child s decision to follow Christ in front of them. It will also be a great reminder of when they accepted Christ in case they ever begin to doubt their relationship with Him. 3. Get Involved at High Desert Church Make HDC Kids a priority by bringing your kids every weekend and plugging them into a small group. Your child s life will have a greater impact if they attend a consistent hour, with the same group of friends and the same leader every week. Talk about the lesson every week at home and how to apply it to your family s life by using the tools that we send home after each service (i.e. God Time Cards, Refrigerator Door Handouts, Family Forum, etc.) At High Desert Church, we stand by the principle that a successful ministry to children supports the home and encourages parents as the primary disciplers of their kids. We re honored to be a part of that growth process, and want to make sure you are fully informed of what s happening in our ministry. If there is anything else that we can do, please call- - we d love to hear from you! Jeff Mc Clung Minister to Children jmcclung@highdesertchurch.com
POST-BAPTISM NOTE TO CHILD Hey??? Congratulations on getting baptized! By getting dunked you have told God and our church family you want to give Him complete control of your life. This is one AWESOME decision you will never regret. Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day. Can t wait to see you around Beach House! Mark 12:28-31 POST-BAPTISM NOTE TO ADULT Hi??? I just wanted to shoot you a note to say Thank You for letting me baptize you and your [sons/daughter] this past weekend at HDC. As one of our pastors I always count it a great privilege to be a part of such an important milestone in your family s life. Thank you for setting the example for your family. If there is anything more I can to do be helpful to you and your family please let me know Mark 12:28-31
POST-BAPTISM LETTER TO PARENTS Hey???! Congratulations on??? s baptism! By getting dunked they have told God and our church that they want to give Him complete control of their life. This is one AMAZING decision that they will never regret! We realize God has given you the primary responsibility for the spiritual growth of your child. The Children s Ministry at High Desert Church would like to partner with you in in these programs: 1. Beach House Make HDC Kids a priority by bringing your kids every weekend to Beach House (our weekend program for kids in grades 1-6). Your child s life will be greatly impacted if they attend a consistent hour, with the same group of friends and the same leader every week. Talk about the lesson every week at home and how to apply it to your family s life by using the tools that we send home after each service (i.e. God Time Cards, Refrigerator Door Handouts, Family Forum, etc.) 2. Hang Ten Groups Hang Ten Groups are small groups for children (1st grade - 6th grade) during our weekend services. These groups help kids grow in their faith. Children are encouraged, taught, loved, and prayed for by a caring volunteer leader. Your child will have the same leader each week and will have the opportunity to participate in a fun event twice a year with their Hang Ten Group. 3. Parenting Conferences At HDC, partnering with parents is a BIG deal. We believe that children s ministry exists to help parents develop their child into the world- changer God wants them to be. Knowing this, we have a very important parenting conference every spring and fall. This is where parents, with children of all ages, come to be encouraged and refueled in their mission as parents. 4. Family Groups High Desert Church is a big church, but you don't need to be just another face in the crowd. If you want to meet people and grow in your relationship with God, we believe being a part of a Small Group (like a Family Group) is the best place for you. 5. HDC Kids Blog To stay up to date about what s going on we encourage parents to subscribe to our parents blog at http://hdc- kids.posterous.com/. Our blog is update weekly with what we re teaching your children, upcoming events, and FREE tools and resources to help you in your parenting journey. To sign- up or learn more about the programs listed above please check out our website at http://www.highdesertchurch.com/ Remember, as you and your child continue in your spiritual journey there are many people in your church family that would love to help whenever you need it. All you need to do is ask. We re PROUD to be serving you, HDC Kids Team