CHILDREN’S
MINISTRY
“But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:14
Good Shepherd, by God’s grace, provides a ministry that roots our children in the gospel, and both allows them to see reflections of Christ within the church and encourages them to reflect Christ. We strive to provide a safe and welcoming environment that reaches the families of Normaltown, Athens and beyond.
Nursery
-
We have four classes divided into these ages:
4m to 12m
1- to 2-year-olds
2- to 3-year-olds
3- to 4-year-olds -
When you arrive, follow the signs to the nursery entrance on the side of the Good Shepherd Building. You will be greeted by a Children’s Ministry volunteer who will help you get checked in, print a name tag for your child, and direct you to your child’s room. Your child will wear a name tag with your cell number for easy contact, if needed. You will retain a matching pick-up tag to present to class volunteers when you pick up your child.
After dropping off your child, you may use the interior stairwell door to go upstairs to the sanctuary.
-
Cheerios and water will be provided. Please let us know if your child has any allergies.
Each class has a full supply of diapers and wipes, so there is no need to leave a bag with your child! However, if your child will need a bottle, pacifier, or change of clothes, please label them or bring them in a bag, so our volunteer can keep everything straight.
Children’s Church
-
This class is for those currently enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten.
-
All Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten children are dismissed from the service just prior to the sermon. You will accompany your child to the classroom, check him/her in at the iPad, and pick him/her up at the conclusion of the service. Your child will wear a name tag with your cell number for easy contact, if needed. You will retain a matching pick-up tag to present to class volunteers when you pick up your child.
-
Snacks rotate each week. Please let us know if your child has any allergies.
You may have your child bring his/her Bible to class, but there is no need to send anything additional! We do ask that no toys or activities are brought from home that might be left or serve as distraction during the class time.
Community Group Kids
-
Our children (6 months through 5th grade) have a wonderful way to connect with each other and grow in their knowledge and love of Christ through gospel teaching, prayer, and scripture memorization through our Community Group Kids Ministry.
-
Community Group Kids meets on Thursday nights in the Fall and Spring semester from 5:30–8:00 PM and follows the Community Group calendar.
-
CGK is open to children of all Community Group participants. If we have additional open spots, registrations open up to other families not participating in Community Groups.
Our Nursery ( Ages 1-4 years) meets in the Good Shepherd downstairs, only accessible from our side entrance. Our Children’s Church (Pre-K and Kindergarten) meets upstairs and is dismissed from the service prior to the sermon.
Find Us on Sunday
RESOURCES
Upcoming Events
-
Chloe Willis
Children’s Ministry Team Leader
Chloe Willis is from Acworth, GA and moved to Athens in 2021 to pursue her education at UGA where she met her amazing husband, Noah Willis. She graduated in 2024 with a master's in social work and has a passion for working with children. Good Shepherd has made such an impact in Chloe's life since moving to Athens and she cannot wait to continue ministering and serving the families of GSPC. Chloe enjoys running her small floral business on the side, hanging out with friends, and eating ice cream.
-
Kim Hicks
Nursery Coordinator
Kim is originally from Oregon. Soon after earning a BA in History and Political Science from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Kim moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she met her husband, Brian, and earned an MA in Public History from Loyola University Chicago. Brian and Kim moved to Athens in 2019. They have four wonderful boys: Jarrett, Miles, Wally, and Lewis. After an impactful conversation with a friend, they began attending Good Shepherd in 2021. In addition to serving as Nursery Coordinator, Kim works in the Children's Department of the Athens-Clarke Library. Kim enjoys adventuring with family and friends, a good book, and running.
-
Noah Willis
Children’s Ministry Team Member
Noah is a teacher and basketball coach at East Jackson Comprehensive High School. He loves God, his wife Chloe, adventures with his friends and all things sports.
-
Natalie Byington
Children’s Ministry Team Member
Natalie has been a member of Good Shepherd since 2018. She has a heart for children and has loved getting to serve on the children’s ministry team on and off over the years. She went to UGA, where she met her husband, Blake, and taught middle school math for 4 years post-grad. Now, she spends her days working from home while raising her twin daughters!
-
Lindsey Orihuela
Children's Ministry Team Member
Lindsey Orihuela has lived in Athens for 20 years, ever since she was a freshman at UGA. She has been married to Rob Orihuela for almost 11 years and together they have 4 sweet and wild kids - Lionel, Mae, Freddie and Pearl. Lindsey works part time as a nurse at the University Health Center at UGA and loves getting to know the college students. She is also excited to be a part of the children's ministry and pour into the precious children in our church.
-
Lanier Smith
Children’s Ministry Team Member
Lanier is from Atlanta, GA and is a recent graduate from UGA. Lanier has attended Good Shepherd since 2022, which quickly became a home away from home during college. Now that she’s graduated, she’s glad she’s staying in Athens to work for UGA and is excited to keep serving the families of GSPC.
-
Anna Coopedge
Children’s Ministry Team Member
Anna graduated from UGA where she met her husband Ben, who is the RUF campus minister for UGA. Before kids, Anna worked at PCA churches in youth ministry for 10 years. Ben and Anna have lived in Colorado, Philadelphia, and New Mexico before the Lord called them back to minister to their alma mater UGA in 2018. Anna and Ben have four kids- Eli, Addie, Noah and Lina. All four kids are in Athens public schools where Anna is very involved in PTO, teacher support and mascot costume duty!
-
Brett Vangsnes
Children’s Ministry Team Member
Brett, his wife Heidi, and their five children became a part of Good Shepherd in 2022. You will likely find him with good coffee in his hand or out running around Athens. His proudest titles in life are husband and dad. -
Heidi Vangsnes
Children’s Ministry Team Member
Heidi and her husband Brett have five kiddos, Sybil, Leif, Archie, Bear and Elsie! She teaches first grade at Garden City and loves a good thrift trip or house project. She has five kids so there is no such thing as free time.