Kim Vanderzee is elementary director at Faith Church, Dyer campus. Youth up to fifth-grade meet weekly for Treasureland with children and adults leading a shout out worship before breaking into groups; one for kindergarten through second-graders and another for third- through fifth-grade for a lesson and a review of the monthly virtue that is tied in with a Bible story. Then the groups break out into small groups or mini churches with a leader.  

"We discuss the teaching, what we hear and apply it to our own lives through activities and games," she said.

The program follows purchased curriculum with video clips, drama and lots of fun things to help in presenting the biblical truth. "Kids attention spans are small so we use a lot of variety in group," she said.   

Vanderzee sends ideas with parents to continue the discussion at home and additional resources are available on the church web site: www.faithchurcholine.org

"Parents have a lot more influence and time with their children, if we can give them tools it will make a huge impact on them and their families," she said.

Vanderzee and her husband co-lead an adult mini church on Wednesday evenings focused on the Hope series. She also is involved in the KidsHopeMinistry, a mentoring program at Bibich Elementary School. Vanderzee mentors a child one day a week for one hour and has been with the same student for four years.

"Faith Church is my home. It’s the place where I was raised in the church, came to know Jesus and love to serve him," she said. "It’s been neat to see the expansion, how things have changed, how many new people come into the church and find a place to belong."

By Sue Bero, Times Correspondent