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
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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. 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.
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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
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This class is for those currently enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten.
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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.
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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.
Volunteer
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In our nursery, we have 4 classes broken up by age. Two volunteers are in each room, and we also have a volunteer that floats in the hallway to aid each classroom. Volunteers in the nursery serve on a 6-week rotation and are expected to arrive at 10:15am on a scheduled Sunday, to serve until the end of the service.
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Children’s Church volunteers teach during the worship service. In this class, kids will be given a more in-depth look at the story of God’s redemption as our teachers lead them through lessons from The Gospel Project curriculum. This teaching involves reading a text from the Bible, doing activities and crafts together, praying, playing games, and practicing memory verses. Volunteers are scheduled on a 6-week rotation.
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RESOURCES
Upcoming Events
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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.
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Lanier Smith
Nursery Coordinator
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.
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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.
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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!
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Brett & Heidi Vangsnes
Children’s Ministry Team Members
Brett and Heidi met and married while in college. They moved to Athens, GA in 2022 and fell in love with the community at Good Shepard. They have 5 kids—Sybil, Leif, Archer, Barrett and Elsie. In their spare time they have enjoyed renovating their fixer upper!
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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.