​PASSING THE BATON IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

​PASSING THE BATON IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

​ Christie Thomas is taking a big step of faith. It will require that she step down as our Director of Children’s Ministries at the end of June. Thelmè VanHeerden, who is now responsible for our early education ministries, will add Christie’s responsibilities to her own and become our new Director of Children’s Ministries.

Christie plans to dedicate more time to her writing. She has had two books accepted for publication by Harvest House Publishers. Fully illustrated versions of Quinn’s Promise Rock and Quinn’s New Friend should hit store shelves in just over a year.

Besides possible future book projects, Christie plans to focus on her blog, which has grown in popularity over the years. She is also considering offering seminars and web-based courses to help parents nurture their children in the Faith.

Christie has made a great impact on Bethel since 2006 when she became our church’s first Director of Children’s Ministries. Under her leadership “Sunday School” became “Lighthouse,” the Thursday evening Kids’ Club got its start, Take-it-Home, inter-generational courses became a staple of the children’s ministry, WillowWood Preschool became one of Bethel’s premiere ministries, and parents began signing in their children for Lighthouse using the computer check-in system. For many years she rallied a small army of volunteers to offer a creative Christmas outreach for the neighborhood called “A Night in Bethlehem”.

​We are not saying “goodbye” to Christie just yet, but we did want to share her exiting news. We celebrate this wonderful step in her life. We are also delighted that God has provided us with such a capable new Director of Children’s ministries in Thelmè. – Pastor Tom

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