KIDS MINISTRY AT LEFC
INFANTS - 4th Grade
Children are important to God, and children are important to us! Children are a vital part of our church family. We consider it a privilege to serve God by partnering with parents on this discipleship journey. We want your children to have great experiences here learning God's Word, building relationships with friends and Shepherds, and in time, associate these great experiences with who God is. There's nothing better than investing in children and seeing God at work in their hearts and minds as they develop an unshakable, personal faith and hope in God.
Our Sunday morning classes for infants through 4th grade are intentionally designed to be a safe place for children to actively learn and explore God's Word, and where children are loved and inspired by Shepherds who model what it's like to have a personal, everyday relationship with Jesus!
OUR MISSION AND VALUES
The mission of LEFC is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We do this by sharing Christ in our relational worlds and pouring into the lives of others. We seek to be people who love God, love people, live truth, and proclaim Jesus. In our ministry with kids here at LEFC, we have the same mission.
As we strive towards making disciples of Jesus Christ in Kids Ministry, we place a high value on:
- God’s Word. We want children to understand the narrative of Scripture as one big story of God’s plan for redemption.
- Creating space for children to encounter God; practicing the disciplines of our faith that go along with learning and internalizing God’s Word.
- Conversations and relationships with the children.
- Children as a vital part of our church family. Our ministry with children cannot exist in isolation—it is in the context of the family of God, our church family!
- Safety in our ministry with kids.
- Children being involved with their families in sharing the gospel of Jesus where they live, work and play. Children being involved with global partners and their families and developing a heart like God’s for the people around the world!
- Every person on our team as they use their gifts, experiences, and passions to serve in ministry with kids; and we value teamwork as we serve together to honor God, build His kingdom, and make disciples.
- Our partnership with parents and families as we invest in the discipleship journey with children.
AGE GROUPS
LEFC Kids Ministry is for children 2 months old through 4th grade and is divided into four primary age groups. Each age group is purposefully designed with age-specific activities and lessons that help us partner with families to help children know, love, and follow Jesus.
Click the images below to learn more about how those classes are structured on a Sunday morning!
QUESTIONS?
Please feel free to reach out to Julia Brown, our Minister to Children, with any questions.
MEET THE TEAM!
JULIA BROWN
MINISTER - KIDS MINISTRIES
EMAIL | brown@lefc.net
FAMILY | Married to Steve with our girls, Natalie and Lindsey
EDUCATION | Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Christian Education from Columbia Bible College; Masters of Religious Education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
PREVIOUS PLACES OF WORK | Browncroft Community Church, Worldventure, Valley Community Baptist Church
FUN FACT | I worked as a personal assistant to an actuarial headhunter while in grad school.
JULIA BROWN
MINISTER - KIDS MINISTRIES
LIZZ CAGNO
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR -
KIDS MINISTRIES
I am thrilled to help lead our kids' ministry - planning fun, meaningful ways for children to learn about Jesus, supporting Shepherds, and making sure every child feels safe, seen, and loved.
EMAIL | lizz.cagno@lefc.net
FAMILY | Married to Caleb and mom to Avery
EDUCATION | University of New Haven for Nutrition and Dietetics
FAVORITE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY | REFIT! I lead a women's REFIT class at LEFC on Monday evenings.
FUN FACT | I've performed on a cruise ship and at the Lincoln Center in NYC in the concert performance of Ragtime.
AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? | A teacher or an actress
LIZZ CAGNO
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - KIDS MINISTRIES
ERIN MARTIN
NURSERY COORDINATOR
It is my joy to love and care for LEFC's infants and toddlers while partnering with their families and our Shepherds!
EMAIL | erin.martin@lefc.net
FAMILY | Married to Scott and mom to our four kids - Landon, Liam, Leah, and Lakelyn
EDUCATION | Nursing degree from Lancaster General College of Health Sciences
PREVIOUS LINES OF WORK | Brethren Village Home Care and Stay-at-Home Mom
IF I COULD DO ANYTHING FOR A DAY | I would go hiking, read, and take a nap, then go shopping and out for dinner at a great outdoor restaurant.
ONE OF MY GREATEST EXPERIENCES WITH GOD | While on a mission trip to Mexico, I saw hearts and lives transformed by the power of God.
ERIN MARTIN
NURSERY COORDINATOR
KAITLYN HAWBAKER
PRESCHOOL COORDINATOR
Prepare lessons for the 2-year-old to Kindergarten classes and partner with our Preschool Shepherds to help children know, love, and follow Jesus!
EMAIL | kaitlyn.hawbaker@lefc.net
EDUCATION | Bachelor's Degree in Children and Family Ministries from Lancaster Bible College
PREVIOUS LINES OF WORK | Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center, Chick-fil-A
AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? | A music teacher
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH | Literally every person
BUCKET LIST ITEM | Visit the Seven Wonders of the World
KAITLYN HAWBAKER
PRESCHOOL COORDINATOR
AMANDA RANCK
ELEMENTARY COORDINATOR
Preparing Sunday lessons for our 1st through 4th grade classes, encouraging kids to grow in their love for the Lord
EMAIL | ranck@lefc.net
FAMILY | Married to Tyler and mom to three kids - Leah, Adalyn, and Carson
EDUCATION | Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Messiah College
PREVIOUS PLACES OF WORK | Learning Support Teacher in ELANCO School District; Stay-at-Home Mom
FUN FACT | As a child, I want to be a dental hygienist or a marine biologist (basically so I could swim with dolphins).
BUCKET LIST ITEM | Visit the Holy Lands
AMANDA RANCK
ELEMENTARY COORDINATOR
BRIANNA KAUFFMAN
KIDS MINISTRIES ASSISTANT
Behind-the-scenes organizer for KidMin, making sure everything is set up to run smoothly each week. Also colors, crafts, and practices self-discipline by not eating the kids' snack supply.
EMAIL | kauffman@lefc.net
FAMILY | Married to Matt with our son Ezra
EDUCATION | Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies from Millersville University
PREVIOUS PLACES OF WORK | Chick-fil-A, Paul B. Zimmerman
BUCKET LIST ITEM | Write and publish a novel
FUN FACT | I have a major sweet tooth, especially for anything that is pretty much just straight-up sugar and that a 7-year-old would love (Smarties, lollipops, cotton candy, etc.)
IF I COULD DO ANYTHING FOR A DAY | I would sit at my desk at home, sipping coffee and writing.
BRIANNA KAUFFMAN
KIDS MINISTRIES ASSISTANT