CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Environments
The Big Picture Show is the name we use for all of Children’s Ministry (birth-5th grade) as a fun way to help kids understand the big story of the Bible and how they can live it out today. The Big Picture Show is made up of five movie-themed environments for different ages and groups.
To plan your family's first visit to Southland, click here. If you're already attending, but want to register your child for Children's Ministry check-in, click here.
(BIRTH - 3-YEAR-OLDS)
We call our Nursery environments the Design Studio because the Bible tells us every child has been lovingly designed by God. Just as a movie begins as a series of sketches, when it comes to infants and toddlers we are just seeing the beginning sketches of who they will become. In the Design Studio we help children discover God’s love and take their first steps in following Him.
Beginning at age two, children in the Design Studio begin participating in large group worship, teaching, and small group time.
(3-YEAR-OLDS - PREK)
Our preschool environment is called Animation Station, the art department of the Big Picture Show. In Animation Station you’ll see stages decorated with oversized art supplies to remind kids that they are God’s masterpiece, made in a unique and special way.
Every week Animation Station preschoolers will experience large group teaching, worship, and small group time with other kids their age.
(K-2ND GRADES)
In the Drive-In, kindergarten through second graders discover what it looks like to live out their relationship with God with others. At this age, a child’s world is expanding beyond their home and it’s our goal to help our Drive-In kids learn how to live as a faith-filled friend.
If you’ve ever been to a drive-in theater you know it’s all about community, breaking out the lawnchairs or piling into the back of a minivan to watch the movie with your friends. In the same way, we want to equip our kindergarten through second graders, to live out God’s story together.
Every week Drive-In kids will experience large group teaching, worship and small group time. Beginning in kindergarten kids will be consistently divided by age and gender to help them begin building long-term friendships in Children’s Ministry.
(3RD-5TH GRADES)
Our environment for 3rd-5th kids is called the Backlot, the prop warehouse of the Big Picture Show. Backlot kids aren’t just watching God’s story unfold, but are ready to go behind the scenes to help bring it to life. Backlot kids are ready to serve and give and live on mission as they begin to share their faith with the world.
Every week kids in the Backlot will experience large group teaching, worship, and small groups divided by age and gender to help prepare them for their transition to Student Ministry in 6th grade.
Portable campuses will not have a Backlot environment. Until they move into their permanent facility, they will meet in a K-5th grade Drive-In but will use Backlot curriculum for small groups.
(KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS)
At our Danville (9:30am), Nicholasville (9:30am), Georgetown (11:15am), and Lexington (11:15) campuses we have a dedicated environment called Superstars designed to provide specialized care, worship, and teaching experiences for kids with special needs. While the needs of some children may fall beyond the scope of what we can offer, we will do our best to serve each family.
At our Richmond campus we do not currently have a dedicated environment for kids with special needs, but when possible, we will work with families to help identify leaders who may serve as a buddy to help kids have a great experience in Children’s Ministry.
To plan your family's first visit to Southland, click here. If you're already attending, but want to register your child for Children's Ministry check-in, click here.