High School
Purpose
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always
be prepared to give an answer to everyone who
asks you to give the reason for the hope that you
have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15
As students enter the high school years, focus shifts dramatically
from identity to purpose. High school students are under great
pressure to determine what they should “do” with their lives. They
feel as though the eyes of the world are upon them.
Students struggle with indecision, worried they have to “get it
right” the first time.
In Student Ministries, we follow a biblical definition of success. If
your identity is secure in Christ, then your purpose is to fulfill His
plan for your life. This is a process over time; a journey no one
walks alone. As believers we are called to be ambassadors of the
good news of salvation. Whatever our field of study or work, we
exist to bring glory to God and bless others in His name. He has
equipped us with everything we need to truly succeed.
Our goal as we prepare students for adult life is to send out young
women and men who can articulate what they believe, and actively
maintain a vital relationship with the Body of Christ.
Milestone
• Blessing of Graduates on Student Sunday – High School
graduates are honored during the main services on the first
Sunday in June. They are commissioned and blessed through
prayer by the congregation.
Young Adults
Connectedness
B E L L A V I S TA C H U R C H
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and Family Ministry
to prayer.
Acts 2:42
Whether off to college, military service, or the work force, young
adults are at a critical point in life. Current research indicates that
40% of those who were involved in church youth groups will quit
church involvement completely after graduation.
Together with parents, we encourage our young men and women
to make a connection with a faith community wherever they go.
Those who remain in the area are welcomed into BVC adult
worship and programs. They are encouraged to serve as role
models for younger students, and to join the college age fellowship
offered for them in Group 111.
Milestone
Church membership – It is our desire that our young adults,
whether close to home or far away, express their commitment Helping families disciple children to
to maturity in Christ through church membership in their local know, love and serve Jesus Christ.
community.
No matter where you are on the adventure of parenthood we want
you to stop and remember the first time you saw your child – that
little bundle of hope and potential. Now imagine that they are 18
years old, and you’re watching them set off into the world on their
own. The years in between are uniquely significant for a parent,
and they’ll pass by faster than you can imagine.
Wouldn’t it help to have a plan? We are asking you right now to
imagine the end; picture who you want your child to be as an adult
and then begin to develop a strategy that will get you there.
5100 Belding Road NE
Rockford, MI 49341
616-874-7727 Read on to discover how we would like to partner with you, at
www.bellavistachurch.org whatever step you’re on, in making your plan a reality.
Preschool
Trust
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean
not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge him, and he will make your paths
straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
At the youngest ages we want children to know, love, and trust
God. Kids on the Rock wonders:
What if you learned to trust God so early in your life that you
never lived a day without believing that He really loves you?
We believe that this would make a huge difference!
Sunday morning lessons will focus on teaching them that the same
God who made the universe also made them and loves them very
much. We want our children to know that they can trust the all-
powerful creator of the universe because He loves them so much
that He sent his Son to take our punishment.
God expects parents to communicate His instructions to their
children as they “talk about them when you sit at home and when
you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get
up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6) Our materials and milestone events will
focus on helping parents have these all important faith talks at
bath time, at drive time, at bedtime, and at breakfast time.
Milestones
• Parent Commitment Ceremony – The purpose of this event is
to give parents an opportunity to commit themselves before
God and a group of their family/friends to be the primary
spiritual caregiver to their child and to promise to raise them
to be followers of Christ.
• Creating a Rhythm Event – This event is designed to show
parents how they can be intentional about creating a rhythm
within the home to shape their child’s faith.
Elementary
Wisdom
From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15
Building wisdom through Biblical literacy and application is the
aim of the elementary program at Bella Vista Church.
We’d like all kids to be able to navigate through the Bible, but we
also intend for them to see the big picture and understand their
place in God’s story of redemption. We want them to trust and
obey God and find out that God has a plan for them as they apply
this wisdom to all aspects of their lives. It is our desire that this
knowledge will lead them to share God’s love with others.
Lessons will be taught through a series of monthly virtues, or
biblical characteristics, that reflect God’s character and prompt an
appropriate response toward Him.
We hope to help parents grow their children in wisdom by
partnering with them to create a rhythm much like Moses spoke
of in Deuteronomy 6.
Milestones
• 2nd Grade Bible Presentation – This event is designed to help
parents help their children start making God’s Word their own.
Children will be presented with a Bible and will be led, with
their parents, through games and activities to help them learn
to navigate, read, understand, and apply God’s word.
• 5th Grade Retreat – This culminating event of the elementary
program will celebrate what’s been learned so far and help
launch children into the Student Ministry program.
Middle School
Identity
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer
live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the
body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved
me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
The transition from grade school into the middle school years
is marked by issues of identity. The middle school student is
leaving childhood behind and entering the exciting mystery of
what it means to become a teenager. This is a slow and awkward
transition, during which students will “try on” different identities
in their search for belonging and acceptance.
Many voices from the culture at large will compete for influence
in their lives.
In Student Ministries we are intentional about supporting you and
your student in this new adventure. We are here to partner with
you in expressing biblical truth. Their Christian adult leaders will
help students grow in knowledge of the foundations of Christian
faith as they experience the fellowship and support of community
with their peers.
Your students will learn that their identity and worth are firmly
rooted in Jesus Christ, and they will be encouraged to choose a
relationship with Him.
Milestone
• Decision for Baptism – The most important choice students
will ever make is the decision to identify with Christ in his
death and resurrection. This involves public declaration of
their personal testimony and baptism.