 Welcome to In-Transit,
an Intentional Ministry for Tweens at Van Dyke!
This program meets Sunday mornings at 9:30
between September and June each school year.
Our Tween ministry is strategically designed for kids who aren't quite old enough for youth ministry, but are too old for children's ministries. We know they fall in that area in beTWEEN. This program meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 between September and June each school year.
Fifth graders are at an age where they are beginning to explore a world that has been very sheltered and self-centered. As they embark upon a new stage of life, this world becomes larger and is challenged at the very foundation. Helping kids to be resilient in their faith is key to helping them thrive as they enter middle school and move forward in life. In order to set them up for success, we have chosen to focus on a few simple topics this school year believing that these are key to guiding them as they grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
The Bible tells us that Jesus was once a tween. In Luke 2:52, we read that He too grew as a boy and had things to learn as a child. He grew physically, intellectually, and relationally with God and men.
We have 3 main focal points during this year:
1. Relationships with others who will influence you in life.
In-Transit is a well planned environment designed for 5th graders, where relationships are centered around peers who are working on building the same core values. Learning to work together, encourage one another, and challenge each other to honor Christ in daily living is part of our relational experience.
2. Spiritual Discipline & Wisdom
Each weekend we will take time to help kids learn that spiritual discipline is not simply showing up at church when it's convenient. What does it look like to pray continually? What does it feel like, to sound like, and to talk about your faith? How does a kid learn to honor God outside of church? How often should we read our Bibles? And how do we learn what God has to say about life?
3. Outward Focus
Caring for others, serving those who need to be served, and seeing the world through eyes of compassion will help kids to begin to focus not only on their own needs but also on the needs of others. Mission projects, service opportunities, and discussions about the needs of others will help kids to learn to be outwardly focused and help them to begin ministry in their own way.
During a typical Sunday morning, students spend a time building significant friendships with each other and focusing on God. Relational games and time devoted to having conversations with other students and leaders is the simple key to ministering to this age group. Kids should plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to service and join in the fun.
Students are encouraged to take part in our mini cafe, lounge, games, and events that set In-Transit a part.
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