Children's Ministry

4 yrs - 5th grade

At the heart of children's ministry, we want to teach kids about who God is and how His Word applies to their lives. Through engaging teaching, memorable activities, creative crafts, and supportive environments we guide kids towards a better understanding of what it means to have a true relationship with God. 


The goal of our Children's Ministry is to provide a safe, exciting environment for kids to learn about God (and themselves!), grow in loving Him, and grow in loving others both in our backyard and to the ends of the earth. 


We accomplish this through a great curriculum, terrific volunteers involved with the kids, and through interactive projects. Children can connect and build a community throughout the entire year. 


If you would like more information on any of our Children's Ministry classes, programs, or events, please email our Children's Ministry Director, Kristen Ruopsa, at kristen@buffalofree.org.


Register your kids now and save time on Sunday morning!


CHILDREN'S REGISTRATION FORM



If you're interested in volunteering or would just like more information,

please click the button below.


VOLUNTEER FORM 

starUPcoming eventsstar

kid's time: Respite Event

Sign your kid(s) up to come play with their friends. Christmas is coming quickly so use this time to relax, shop, or reconnect with those around you.
We plan to make lunch together and have a game day. We'll play board games, card games, and large group gym games.


Registration is required so we can plan accordingly for food and volunteers.

$5/kid, $20/ maximum per family.
Scholarships are available, if needed. Please talk to Kristen about this.


*Volunteer's children can attend free. Please mark on this form that you are interested in volunteering.


Sunday Morning

Kid Zone

9:30 AM, Service hour


Our children begin in the sanctuary with their families. We feel it is important they have an opportunity to worship with the congregation through music, offerings, and communion.  We will then dismiss the kids to meet their teachers right outside the sanctuary doors and walk down to the classrooms together. Our kids will be split into two classes where they spend half the time in bible story watching videos, doing an experiment or game, and discussing how it applies to their lives. The other half of the time is spent in activity where they either do a craft or strategic games that wrap in to the lesson and then work through our memory verse of the week.


For curriculum, we are currently using *brite.  You can learn more about the curriculums below.



Sunday School

11 AM - 12 PM


At 11 AM, there is Sunday school available for ALL ages.

We have classrooms for PreK - Kindergarten, 1-2nd grade, and 3-5th grade.


You can learn about the curriculum below.



Nursery

Nursery care is available for children ages 0-3 years throughout the morning. Take time to worship without distraction and attend a Sunday school class if you'd like! We have lots of trained volunteers ready to care for your small children.

Follow the signs down the hallway and check-in at the desk located between the nursery room and the parent child worship room.

We would love to have you come check us out and talk with Kristin Ross, our Nursery Director.



Wednesday Evening

AWANA

From September - May our children meet for Awana from 6:30 - 8:00 P.M. Please follow the link for more information on how to join us and theme nights!

  • Kid Zone (Service hour)

    *brite powered by Awana

    Scope & Sequence

    Brite is a digital weekend curriculum designed to help kids navigate a changing culture, experience God’s presence, and walk in the ways of Jesus. Brite is centered on the Gospel and engaging for our kids.



    Sunday School

    1st grade - 5th grade

    Rotating Topics

    From September through December we will cover 4 different series. All different  but all equally important in understanding why to follow Jesus and how to be more like him.  1. Lord's prayer  2. Treasured! (Wisdom)  3. Thank-FULL (Thankfulness)  4. Humble Beginnings (Humility)


    PreK - Kindergarten

    Bible Adventure

    During early childhood, kids really can learn relevant Bible truths. Each of the monthly units teaches engaging Bible stories that transfer to everyday application. This curriculum is fully integrated with YouVersion's Bible App for Kids, so your little ones can fall in love with Jesus in church and at home. Within this curriculum, we are using the Bible Adventure 52-week program for churches.


    Nursery

    Truths for Toddlers by Answers in Genesis

    With Truths for Toddlers, children will graduate with five big Bible truths firmly in place:

    • God is good.
    • God is in charge of everything.
    • God made everything.
    • God wants us to pray.
    • Jesus came to save sinners.

  • Kid Zone (Service Hour)

    GOD IS RESCUER 2024 - 2025

    September

    • 9/2 Jacob & Esau
    • 9/8 Joseph in Jail
    • 9/15 Birth of Moses
    • 9/22 Plagues
    • 9/29 5th Sunday Family Worship Service
    October
    • 10/6 Rahab
    • 10/13 Gideon
    • 10/20 Ruth
    • 10/27 David & Goliath
    November
    • 11/3 David & Saul
    • 11/10 Elijah
    • 11/17 Daniel in the Lion's Den
    • 11/24 Ezekiel
    December
    • 12/1 Malachi
    • 12/8 Zechariah & Elizabeth
    • 12/15 Mary & the Angel
    • 12/22 Jesus is Born
    • 12/29 5th Sunday Family Worship Service
    January
    • 1/5 Boy Jesus
    • 1/12 Temptation of Jesus
    • 1/19 Nicodemus
    • 1/26 The Paralyzed Man & His Friends
    February
    • 2/2 Do Not Worry
    • 2/9 Jesus is Anointed
    • 2/16 Peter Walks on Water
    • 2/23 Peter's Confession
    March
    • 3/2 The Man Born Blind
    • 3/9 The Good Samaritan
    • 3/16 Parable of the Rich Fool
    • 3/23 Jesus Welcomes All
    • 3/30 5th Sunday Family Worship Service
    April
    • 4/6 Peter's Denial
    • 4/13 Pilate
    • 4/20 EASTER - No Kid Zone. Nursery will be open.
    • 4/27 Peter is Restored
    May
    • 5/4 The Great Commission
    • 5/11 Peter's Sermon
    • 5/18 Tabitha
    • 5/25 No Kid Zone. Nursery will be open.
    June
    • 6/1 Romans
    • 6/8 Ephesians
    • 6/15 1st & 2nd Peter
    • 6/22 Philemon
    • 6/29 5th Sunday Family Worship Service
    July
    • 7/6 God's Wisdom
    • 7/13 Wisdom with Money
    • 7/20 Wisdom with Friends
    • 7/27 Wisdom with Words
    Sunday School - 1st through 5th grade
    Bible Bites - a 10 week study on the Parables of Jesus for children. Due to food allergies, we will not be completing the food segment of our lessons
    • 9/8 The Parable of the Lamp Stand
    • 9/15 The Parable of the Speck and the Log
    • 9/22 The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
    • 9/29 The Parable of the Mustard Seed
    • 10/6 The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
    • 10/13 The Parable of the Tenant Farmers
    • 10/20 The Parable of the Lost Sheep
    • 10/27 The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
    • 11/3 The Parable of the Friend at Midnight
    • 11/10 The Parable of the Two Servants
    Fidgets of Faith - a 6 week study on how to trust in God while facing anxiety. Kids today are under stress like never before and constant anxiety has become a fact of life. Children need practical help to overcome those feelings while looking to God in times of distress.
    • 11/17 Pop-its: Jesus leaves impressions on our hearts. Luke 8:40-48
    • 11/24 Peas in a Pod: Believers need each other to strengthen each other. Ruth 1:1-18
    • 12/1 Squeezy Putty: God molds us to be like Jesus. Jeremiah 18:1-6
    • 12/8 Stress Ball: We can overcome Anxiety through Faith in Jesus. Mark 14:32-42
    • 12/15 Fidget Spinner: We can rest in Jesus' Presence. Luke 10:38-42
    • 12/22 No Sunday School
    • 12/29  No Sunday School
    Challenge Accepted - Challenges are wildly popular on YouTube. We will capture some of the family friendly fun to teach kids about following Jesus. Our kids should love this 8 week study with the 'ultimate challenge' of deciding to follow Jesus and live a life devoted to God.
    • 1/5 Whisper Challenge - Many people believe that God's voice is booming down from Heaven, but often God speaks to us in a whisper.
    • 1/12 Try Not to Laugh Challenge - As humans we cannot fathom the power of God. We sometimes don't understand God's big plan. It is important to be content (happy, joyful) while we wait for God's guidance.
    • 1/19 Seven Seconds Challenge - The number 7 is a significant digit to God. He uses this number in the Bible to make his point.
    • 1/26 Blindfolded Drawing Challenge - It is difficult to move forward when we don't know what will happen. But God wants us to have faith that He will guide us through life and rewards us for that faith.
    • 2/2 What's in the Box? Challenge - When we put our hands in a box and don't know what we'll pull out, it's sort of like living your life for God and not knowing what will happen to you.
    • 2/9 Brand Name vs. Off-Brand Challenge - Buying off-brand products at the store is a common practice when you want to save a few dollars, but there's no off-brand God. He is the real deal and there's no imitation.
    • 2/16 Pause Challenge - It is easy to want to do things in our own time. We want what we want and when we want it. But God wants us to pause and listen to what he has to say before we act on our own will.
    • 2/23 Decision Challenge - We can choose to follow Jesus even when we are faced with challenges. God gives us instructions to follow to be saved and spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
    Fruits of the Spirit - This 9 week study will help children grow spiritually as they learn from Galatians 5:22-23. It shows how the Holy Spirit applies the Gospel in our character.
    • 3/2 Love
    • 3/9 Joy
    • 3/16 Peace
    • 3/23 Patience
    • 3/30 Kindness
    • 4/6 Goodness
    • 4/13 Faithfulness
    • 4/20 EASTER - No Sunday School
    • 4/27 Gentleness
    • 5/4 Self Control

  • 9:15 - 9:30  Check-in in the commons

    9:30 - ~10:05  Worship in the sanctuary

    Dismissal to Kid Zone

    10:05 - 10:25 Class #1 - Kids are split into two groups and either go to Bible Story or to Activity

    10:25 - 10:45  Class #2 - The two groups switch to attend the other class

    10:45 - 11:00  Free Play and Check-out time Those who are not staying for Sunday School are picked up by their parents at this time. Anyone who isn't going home has time to play with their friends.


    At 11 AM the PreK & Kindergarteners go to their classroom. All other children begin in the bible story room.

    11:00 - 11:20  Large Group time & Snack

    11:20 - 11:40  Class #1 Kids are split into two groups and either go to Bible Story or to Activity

    11:40 - 12:00  Class #2 The two groups switch to attend the other class

    12:00  Everyone is picked-up


    Note: PreK & Kindergarteners do not follow this schedule as they stay in the same classroom and don't rotate.


  • December

    • 12/1  Carols and Cookies: 6p at the church. All church event.
    • 12/7  Respite Event: 11 - 2p at the church.  $5/kid or $20 family max
    • 12/22  No Sunday School.
    • 12/24  Candlelight Service. No nursery is available. Parent/Child room will be open. All church event.
    • 12/25  No AWANA: Christmas Break
    • 12/29  Family Worship Sunday & Kid's Serve Sunday. No Sunday School.

    January

    • 01/01  NO AWANA: Happy New Years!

    February


    March

    • 03/30  Family Worship Sunday & Kid's Serve Sunday.

    April

    • 04/02  NO AWANA: Spring Break.
    • 04/13  Palm Sunday: Kids will walk through the Sanctuary at the start of the service with palms.
    • 04/20  Easter Sunday: No Sunday School.

    May

    • 05/04  Last Day of Sunday School.
    • 05/04  Respite Event: 1:30 - 4:30p at the church.  $5/kid or $20 family max.
    • 05/07  AWANA Awards night!
    • 05/25  No Kid Zone. The nursery will still be open.

    June

    • 04/02  NO AWANA: Spring Break.
    • 04/13  Palm Sunday: Kids will walk through the Sanctuary at the start of the service with palms.
    • 04/20  Easter Sunday: No Sunday School.

    July

    • 07/06  No Kid Zone. The nursery will still be open.
    • 07/27  Worship in the park & baptism.
    • 07/27  VBS - Wonder Junction.  6 - 8:30 PM
    • 07/28  VBS - Wonder Junction.  6 - 8:30 PM
    • 07/29  VBS - Wonder Junction.  6 - 8:30 PM
    • 07/30  VBS - Wonder Junction.  6 - 8:30 PM
    • 07/31  VBS - Wonder Junction.  6 - 8:30 PM


  • FIRST STEPS is a course in the Spiritual Basics Series for the Children's Ministry of Buffalo Evangelical Free Church.


    It is designed to aid you (your child) in making a true commitment to following Jesus by going deeper and explaining what the Bible says.

    Who should ______? (believe in Christ, be baptized, take communion)

    What is _______? (salvation, baptism, communion)

    Where can you _______? (accept Christ, be baptized, take communion)
    When do you _______? (ask Christ into your heart, get baptized, take communion)
    Why should you _______? (be saved, be baptized, take communion)

    (And many more!)


    Salvation

    • How can you know if you are going to Heaven?
    • What is SIN?
    • Who sins and what happens to a person who sins?
    • Is there anyone who can take our sin away?
    • What do I have to do to get to Heaven?
    • Can anyone take me away from God?
    Baptism
    • Baptism cannot get you to heaven
    • Act of obedience
    • Picture of Chris's death, burial and resurrection
    • Those who believe in Christ should be baptized
    • Identifies you with Christ
    • Symbol of your belief
    • Must be under water
    Communion
    • Christ's last supper
    • Observes Christ's death
    • Memory of Christ' broken body
    • Memory of Christ's blood
    • Understanding the symbols
    • Needs to be done in deep respect
    • Important to remember what Jesus did for us
    • Opportunity to thank Jesus for His willingness to suffer for us
    • Never forget what Jesus did
    If you'd like more information or would like to complete this course, please contact Kristen Ruopsa.  763-682-6846 or Kristen@buffalofree.org

children's ministry TEAM

We are blessed by each one of our volunteers in our Children's Ministry.

They selflessly give their time to teach our children about Jesus.


We are seeking 7 more people to join our team. 

Most of our volunteers are there for one hour per month. That's a total of only 12 hours over the year!

  • Bible Story Teacher - the curriculum & story are provided to you.             
  • PreK/Kindergarten Teacher
  • Craft &/or Activity Teacher
  • Subs for all areas

If you're interested in volunteering or would just like more information,

please click the button below.


volunteer form 


  • Kristen

    Children's Ministry Director

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  • Steph

    Preschool & Kindergarten Ministry Director

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  • Matt

    Nursery Ministry Director

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  • Brianna

    Bible Story & Craft Teacher

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  • Cari

    Bible Story Teacher

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  • Danyelle

    Bible Story Teacher

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  • David

    Bible Story Teacher and  Ministry Lead

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  • Elliott

    Bible Story Helper - Youth in Training

    & Wednesday Afternoon Office Intern

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  • Elise

    PreK/Kindergarten Teacher

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  • Elise

    Bible Story Teacher

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  • Evie

    PreK/Kindergarten Teacher

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  • Hailey

    SUB - Children's Ministry Lead (at college)

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  • Harry

    Bible Story CoTeacher

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  • Isabelle

    Activity & Craft Teacher

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  • Izzy

    PreK/Kindergarten Asst.

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  • Jen

    Craft Teacher

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  • Jenni

    Craft Teacher

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  • Kelly

    Bible Story Teacher

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  • Laura

    SUB - PreK/Kindergarten Teacher (at college)

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  • Lena

    Craft & Activity Helper

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  • Mindy

    Children's Ministry Lead

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  • Kristin

    Craft Teacher

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  • Sophie

    PreK/Kindergarten Teacher

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