4 Distinct Areas, 1 Common Vision
A phase is a timeframe in a child’s life when you can leverage distinctive opportunities to influence their future. A parent has 936 weeks from the time a child is born until he/she turns 18 years old. We don’t want you to miss each critical phase of growing up.
There are four words that we want every parent, small group, and Grove leader to know that characterize each phase of a child’s life.
§ Embrace—Preschool
§ Engage – Elementary
§ Affirm – Middle School
§ Mobilize – High School
We believe that these four words – Embrace, Engage, Affirm, and Mobilize – will help keep parents and small group/Grove leaders focused during every phase of a child’s life.
Hebron Kidz
Infant—5th Grade
The vision of Hebron Kidz is that children can see and hear the Gospel so that they come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
936 weeks & counting…
§ Preschool (Infant—Pre-Kindergarten)
These little ones are asking “Am I?” questions:
§ “Am I safe?”
§ “Am I able?”
§ “Am I ok?”
The best way to resolve a Preschooler’s relational questions is to consistently EMBRACE their physical needs.
Hebron’s mission with babies through Pre-Kindergarten, is to EMBRACE their physical needs of one-on-one attention, comfort, and care, so they know they are loved and safe.
As we EMBRACE their physical needs, they experience God’s love, meet God’s family, and get their first impression of their heavenly Father.
676 weeks & counting…
§ Elementary School (Kindergarten—5th grade)
Kindergarten—5th Graders are asking “Do I have?” questions:
§ “Do I have your attention?”
§ “Do I have what it takes?”
§ “Do I have friends?”
The best way to answer K-5th Graders relational questions is to ENGAGE in their interests. Hebron’s mission in Elementary School is to ENGAGE the interests of Elementary Children so they will discover how God’s story intersects with their story. As we ENGAGE in their interests it opens the door to help them know they can trust God, allows them the opportunity to experience God’s family, and to know Him personally through Jesus.
Hebron Students
6th—12th Grade
The Hebron Student Ministry vision is “we believe that God will use Hebron Students to show Himself to the world.” All students are created in the image of God and are in need of seeing how the Gospel relates to them. We seek to leverage opportunities to teach, love, and come alongside our 11-18 year olds.
364 weeks & counting...
§ Middle School (6th—8th grade)
6th—8th graders are asking relational questions:
§ “Who do I like?’
§ “Who likes me?”
§ “Who am I?”
The best way to answer a middles schooler’s relational questions is to AFFIRM their identity in Christ. Hebron’s mission in Middle School is to AFFIRM every Middle School student that they are created in God’s image. When we AFFIRM student’s identity in Christ, they gain stability and discover uniqueness. When we respond to Middle Schoolers in a loving manner, listening, encourage more specifically, and guide more patiently, we will influence them to stop and think rationally before they respond in the moment. As we AFFIRM students they will start to own their own faith and value a faith community.
208 weeks & counting…
§ High School (9th—12th grade)
9th-12th graders are asking Where, Why, How, and What questions:
§ “Where do I belong?”
§ “Why should I believe?”
§ “How can I matter?”
§ “What will I do?”
The best way to answer a High Schooler’s relational questions is to MOBILIZE their potential. Hebron’s mission in High School is to MOBILIZE student’s potential in their personal walk with Christ. As we teach students how to MOBILIZE their faith, it will help them find answers to their questions. We point them to the value of Christian community, help clarify their values, help refine skills for serving, and help them see the vision God has for their lives. As we MOBILIZE students they will pursue authentic faith and learn to discover what God’s direction is for them as they enter adulthood.
936 Weeks… is the amount of time we (parents and leaders) have to leverage the biggest influence in a child’s life. We are working together to insure that every week matters, pointing children and students to Jesus. We are being intentional in sending 18 year-olds off to adulthood as mature, servant leaders—in their homes, in the Church, and in the world.
