The new Custer Family Early Childhood Center at the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio will be dedicated this Sunday, July 20.
A special morning Gathering (10:30 a.m. in the Worship Center auditorium) will be led by this year’s Operation Barnabas teams and a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Pastor Jim Custer and family. During this time only infant-kindergarten GraceKIDS classes will meet (parents should pick up their kids by Noon).
The festivities continue from Noon-3:00 p.m. with rides, games, refreshments, and more! Hot dogs, chips, lemonade, pretzels, and snow cones will be available. Kids won’t want to miss special programs at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., or 2:30 p.m. in the new WOW! room! Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to join in the fun!
The 37,000 square foot addition to the church provides much-needed space for both children’s ministries on Sunday morning and preschool during the week. One of the major benefits is that the children will be close to the auditorium, ensuring better safety and parental access.
It also presents an opportunity to minister to parents and children in the surrounding area.
“The greatest need we are meeting is the one for young children and families to come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ,” says Preschool Director Tim Adams. “We know that many young parents these days are not coming to church or bringing their children. We also know that these same parents take their children to child care and preschool because many times both parents are working or in school.”
The center is named in honor of Custer, who recently stepped down after nearly 40 years as senior pastor, and his family, including his wife Triceine, and their children and grandchildren. He has long championed the cause of Christian education in the Columbus church.
The new facility will be utilized for child care during the 2009 annual conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, which will be hosted by the Columbus congregation.
(Peter Semple, a Taylor University Fort Wayne professional writing major and full-time editorial intern with BMH this summer, contributed to this story. He is a member of the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio.)