On Friday, September 30, 44 5th graders and some parent helpers gathered in the Ignite Room for the first 5th@Central event of this year. We had an amazing evening playing games, eating snacks, and having a devotional talk led by Mark Ebbers. Many kids brought friends.
One mom shared that their son brought a unchurched friend who their family has been praying for. They had asked before but had been told “No” previously and decided to ask one more time. And this time they said yes! The Central Wesleyan mom said, “We are so thankful for what Mark [Ebbers] shared at this event and for the church to be reaching out to young children at this important stage of their lives. We know that the seed has been planted in his life and we are praising God for the opportunity to bring him with us.”
We have events all year including a retreat and special Bible studies. Our goal is to help 5th graders grow spiritually and develop good friendships before they head off to Middle School.
Colleen Bajema
Elementary Coordinator
One-On-One
All of our special needs kids participate in Kid Central with a One-On-One buddy to assist them in any way they need help. They also fully participate in worship and listening to the Bible lesson for the day as well as help their student with their Bible story related activities.
On September 11, our fall kick-off Sunday, I walked into C-Zone (3rd-5th graders) to check on a student and his One-On-One Buddy. In the front of the room Mark Ebbers, the worship leader/teacher, pointed to his right and said enthusiastically, “This way!” Everyone moved in that direction with their feet moving in heel-toe fashion. Then he told everyone to move back to his left. I wish you could have seen the pure joy on this student’s face as he moved from side to side with the music. He LOVES to worship with his whole body and looks forward to coming to church each week.
We also have a girl who has been participating in Celebration Station (3-4 yr. olds). She is older than the other students but fits in perfectly in this age group. She loves to sing and listen to the Bible story and absolutely has fallen in love with Jon and Ellisha Bornfleth who have been our faithful worship/teacher leaders in this room for many years.
This year, Jon and Ellisha are serving in Kingdom Clubhouse (5’s & K’s). When this student and her buddy went to Celebration Station, she didn’t see Jon and left the room looking for him. She asked everyone, “Where’s Jon?” Upon arriving at the door to Kingdom Clubhouse, she saw Jon, called out his name and handed her Bible to her buddy while opening the door. She immediately began clapping her hands to the music and began making her way to Jon. After a great big, beautiful greeting and hug from Jon, she joined the other children in walking in a circle and clapping with the worship song.
Praise the Lord for faithful worship leaders, teachers, small group leaders, and One-On-One buddies who make it possible for kids with special needs to feel welcome, loved, and shown the love of Jesus.
Debbie Heiser
Exceptional Events Coordinator
On September 11, our fall kick-off Sunday, I walked into C-Zone (3rd-5th graders) to check on a student and his One-On-One Buddy. In the front of the room Mark Ebbers, the worship leader/teacher, pointed to his right and said enthusiastically, “This way!” Everyone moved in that direction with their feet moving in heel-toe fashion. Then he told everyone to move back to his left. I wish you could have seen the pure joy on this student’s face as he moved from side to side with the music. He LOVES to worship with his whole body and looks forward to coming to church each week.
We also have a girl who has been participating in Celebration Station (3-4 yr. olds). She is older than the other students but fits in perfectly in this age group. She loves to sing and listen to the Bible story and absolutely has fallen in love with Jon and Ellisha Bornfleth who have been our faithful worship/teacher leaders in this room for many years.
This year, Jon and Ellisha are serving in Kingdom Clubhouse (5’s & K’s). When this student and her buddy went to Celebration Station, she didn’t see Jon and left the room looking for him. She asked everyone, “Where’s Jon?” Upon arriving at the door to Kingdom Clubhouse, she saw Jon, called out his name and handed her Bible to her buddy while opening the door. She immediately began clapping her hands to the music and began making her way to Jon. After a great big, beautiful greeting and hug from Jon, she joined the other children in walking in a circle and clapping with the worship song.
Praise the Lord for faithful worship leaders, teachers, small group leaders, and One-On-One buddies who make it possible for kids with special needs to feel welcome, loved, and shown the love of Jesus.
Debbie Heiser
Exceptional Events Coordinator
He calls us friends
During the worship time in our class of 5 year olds on Sunday the kids were taught about how Jesus calls us friends...they had time to draw whatever came to their mind during that time. Then the kids were able to share their drawings with their friends. Five year old Malachi chose to share his picture and this is what he said: “The bigger person is God and the smaller person is me when I was playing basketball. I was going up for a dunk and all of a sudden I heard a voice. Right there I knew that the voice was Jesus and that he was talking to me."
Dawn Heneveld
Early Childhood Coordinator
Dawn Heneveld
Early Childhood Coordinator
A choice of the Heart
Many years ago I responded to God in a church service. As I reflect on that time, I had no prior knowledge of God. I was a child in a church service and it was all new to me. We sang some songs I didn’t fully understand but when the teaching started, it was compelling. So as an unchurched 11 year old, I found myself responding to an altar call and I made a choice that changed my life. It is amazing that God speaks through the Word, or through a song, or through a person. Just a few weeks ago in a worship service, two of our elementary-age kids (a sister and brother) responded and desired to re-commit their lives to God. Coincidence, I don’t think so. They heard the Word and made a choice of the heart. As a pastor I am encouraged to know children are so open to God. Children can often lead the way and model openness, honesty, and a willingness to say yes.
Pastor Jay Hostetler
Pastor Jay Hostetler
Reach Out!
My husband and I were in Chris Hofland's outreach class. He is a very interesting, passionate sharer of the Word and his passion for outreach. He challenged us to find out about our neighbors—their needs and interests. We felt very convicted as we have lived in our house for about five years and really only knew two neighbors in all the ones around us. So we took up Chris's challenge and had a bonfire inviting our neighbors and our small group from church.
What a blessing it turned out to be. We not only got acquainted with all our neighbors who 100% showed up, but found that our neighbor across the street had a connection with two of the men in our small group! He had had some really rough times, but had recommitted his life to Christ, was looking for a church home for his family, and for a small group!
Because of Chris's influence, we not only were able to encourage this family, but they now attend Central again (he was saved there some years ago) and our small group grew so big, that we now have birthed a new group right in our community of Allendale. If Chris were not faithful in sharing what God has shown him, none of this would probably have happened. Thank you all for you commitment to excellence in God's work.
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