The Children’s Ministries Department exists to develop the faith of children from birth through age fourteen, leading them into union with the church. It seeks to provide multiple ministries that will lead children to Jesus and disciple them in their daily walk with Him, and as such cooperate with the Sabbath School Department and other departments to provide religious education to children. —The mission of the Children’s Ministries Department is to nurture children into a loving, serving relationship with Jesus. The department seeks to fulfill this mission by developing: , in which children who are not included in the church family will be introduced to the love of Jesus through such outreach programs as: Vacation Bible Schools, children’s Branch Sabbath Schools, Neighborhood Bible Clubs, and Story Hours.
MISSION
Grace-oriented Ministries, in which all children will experience the unconditional love of Jesus, find assurance of acceptance and forgiveness, and make a commitment to Him.
Inclusive Ministries, in which the volunteers who minister and the children to whom they minister will be valued regardless of race, color, language, gender, age, abilities, or socioeconomic circumstances, and be involved without discrimination.
Leadership Ministries, in which volunteers are empowered, trained, and equipped for effective ministry to children.
Service-oriented Ministries, in which children are given opportunity for hands-on service to people in their neighborhood or city, thus establishing a pattern of outreach to others that may well continue through life.
Cooperative Ministries, which involve working with other entities, such as Family Ministries, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, Youth Ministries, Education, Stewardship, and other departments, to achieve shared goals.
Safe Ministries, whereby churches: (a) choose volunteers with high spiritual and moral backgrounds; (b) adopt safeguards to protect children from physical, emotional, sexual, and spiritual abuse, and the church from liability.
Evangelistic Ministries, in which children who are not included in the church family will be introduced to the love of Jesus through such outreach programs as: Vacation Bible Schools, children’s Branch Sabbath Schools, Neighborhood Bible Clubs, and Story Hours.
Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, page 128