Youth Ministries

Ministries for Preschool Children

Nursery
A safe and caring nursery is provided for infants through 2 year olds during Sunday worship services and the Sunday School hour. Children who are 3 years of age are welcome in the nursery during the Sunday School hour while their older siblings and parents attend Sunday School classes. For safety, parents must sign children in and out of the nursery. Pagers are provided in case a child needs the attention of his/her parent.
Contact: Anita Lautenbach, 484-1386


Preschool Church Hour
A class for 3, 4 and 5 year old children who have not started Kindergarten meets during both morning services. The children hear Bible stories, work on crafts or activities, sing and play. Children attend the worship service with their families before being dismissed to class, usually after a children’s message.
Meetings: Every Sunday during morning worship services
Contact: Leslie Doorlag, 484-4099


Sonshine Cooperative Preschool
Sonshine is a Christian, cooperative preschool that meets in Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church.
Sonshine Cooperative Preschool
Meetings: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 – 11:30 AM
Contact: Kara Cristian, Board President, 786-1437


Ministries for Youth

Sunday School for Students in Pre-K through 12
Sunday School is the primary tool for educating and training our young people. Our comprehensive Sunday School curriculum is for pre-K through 12th grade students. Our elementary and middle school classes use various materials from Faith Alive Resources LiFE and Walk with Me curricula. Our high school curriculum makes use of many excellent books covering such topics as creeds and confessions, catechism, apologetics and ethics.
Meetings: Sunday mornings, September – mid-June
Pre-K through 5th grade meets from 9:55 – 11:05 AM for singing and study time
6th – 12th grades meet from 10:15-11:00 AM
Contact:
Pre-K through 5th grade: Rob and Kristin Mossel, 667-1371
6th – 12th grades: Arnie and Dawn Geldermans, 995-5463


Cadets

Cadets is a place where boys, in 2nd through 8th grades, learn to grow spiritually in all areas of life; devotional, mental, physical, and social. Christian men serve as role models to the boys as together they learn about God and His will for our lives through prayer, crafts, activities, service opportunities, merit badge work, fun outings, and fellowship.
Meetings: During the school year on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings of each month from 6:30-8:30 PM. Additional special outings are planned for other nights or weekends.
Contact: Tim Dekker, Head Counselor, 327-0145


GEMS, Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior
The GEMS Girls Club seeks to bring girls, in 2nd through 8th grades, into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Leaders help to nurture this relationship as they mentor the girls in their small groups. Badges, singing, dance, crafts, service projects, and other activities offer fun ways for the girls to build relationships with each other and their leaders. The name for GEMS, Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior, clearly identifies the purpose for which the ministry was created.
Meetings: during the school year on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings of each month from 6:30-8:30 PM. Additional special outings are planned for other nights or weekends.
Contact: Beth Wallinga, GEMS Club Coordinator, 998-3732


Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is a ministry that engages children, grades Pre-K through 4, and their families in a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ and guides them toward an active Christian life both within and outside the church.
Meetings: one week during the summer vacation.
Contact: Becki Herrema, Director of Youth Ministries, church office 665-0105


Middle School Youth Group

Middle School Youth Group is a fellowship program for grades 6-8 which aims to build relationships among the teens and their adult leaders, and to broaden a student’s commitment to Jesus Christ. Students participate in a variety of activities including Bible study, service to the church and the Ann Arbor community, and recreational activities.
Meetings: During the school year on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from 7:00-8:30 PM.
Contact: Ross Weener, 945-0683


High School Large Group


High School Large Group is a fellowship program for grades 9-12 where adult mentors and teenage students meet for friendship, fellowship, service or fundraising for group events or mission trips.
Meetings: Scheduled by leaders, usually one weekend each month.
Contact: Mark Doorlag (484-4099) or Arnie & Dawn Geldermans (995-5463)
More photos
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High School Small Groups
High School students meet in small groups by gender for a more personal experience in which a student’s relationship with Jesus is strengthened through interpersonal relationships and mentored by mature leaders. This is done through a Biblically guided study of issues important to teens such as prayer, ethics and decision-making, relationships and accountability, and discipleship, while fostering social interactions that welcome each student as a unique image of God and provide a role model of faith in action.
Meetings: during the school year on the 2nd and 4th Sunday evenings of the month
Girls’ Contact: Kelly Van Singel or Kelly Van Ee (340-3031)
Boys’ Contact: Dan Herrema, 424-3379


Trips and Retreats
High School and Middle School students have the opportunity to go on trips that combine real encounters with God and service to people in need.
Meetings:
Middle School Winter Retreat, Spring Hill Camp, January 18-20
High School Winter Retreat, Spring Hill Camp, January 18-20
High School Convention, Bozeman, Montana, July 25-29
Middle School SERVE, Holland, Michigan, August 3-9
Contact:
Middle School Winter Retreat, Katherine Gottschalk
High School Winter Retreat, Dottie Elliott
High School Convention, Paul Gottschalk
Middle School SERVE, Chris Van Ee