Elementary School Ministry
We have an active schedule of faith-based classes, worship experiences, service opportunities and athletics for children in first through sixth grade.
Sunday Classes
Children stay in the same class all year, building strong bonds with caring teachers who love Jesus. New kids are welcome anytime!
Our Curriculum
We use a curriculum called The Gospel Project by Lifeway, which presents the Bible chronologically over a three-year cycle, showing kids how the whole Bible works together to tell a single story: God’s plan to redeem His people through His Son, Jesus Christ, compelling kids to join the mission of God. All children ages two to sixth-grade study the same Bible story each week, so if you have kids in multiple grades, you can review, discuss and apply the same lessons in daily life with your family.
Sunday Electives
Elementary students who join us for more than one service have the option to select an elective that meets during a different service than their Bible class.
Quest: Worldview
Sundays beginning Sept. 7 (Room 132)
Grades 4 – 6 @ 10:45 a.m.
This year’s “Careful Thinking” lessons teach children how to evaluate all the ideas they encounter using biblical wisdom and strong critical thinking skills. The content will help them move from blind belief to thoughtful, evidence-based faith so their faith in Christ remains strong into adulthood!
Kidz4Him Children’s Choir
Sundays beginning Sept. 7 (Room 147)
Grades 1 – 6 @ 9 a.m.
Kidz4Him gives children an opportunity to serve the church body and reach our neighbors with the gospel through music and drama! Their fall practices culminate in a Christmas musical. In the spring, they lead worship twice on Sunday mornings.
2024 Christmas Performance Highlight
Meet our Elementary Coordinator
Elijah is our Children’s Ministry Elementary Coordinator. He welcomes the elementary age children and partners with their families so that they can learn more about Jesus each week.
If you have any questions for Elijah and his team about the Elementary Ministry at West Shore, you are welcome to send him an email.
More Elementary School Ministries
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Fāz6
Fāz6 exists to help 6th grade students KNOW God personally and passionately, GROW in community and in relationship with Jesus Christ and GO out to serve and share the Gospel with others. It is our prayer that students will begin to grow in the spiritual maturity they will need in their junior high and high school years…and beyond!
Fāz6 Format
Faz6 meets every other Wednesday night during the school year from 6:30-8:30pm. The night begins with a crazy opening activity, followed by a topical Bible study, small group discussion, and then games in the gym. Drop-off & pick-up are at the North entrance.
We stay in touch with all Fāz6 families by email about upcoming meetings and events. Register here to be a part of that group!
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Trail Life
School Year | Monday Evenings
Our Trail Life troop teaches boys grades K-12 “to live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way …” (Colossians 1:10). Boys achieve this mission through outdoor adventure, character development, and leadership training.
Trail Life Process for Growing Boys into Godly Men
Contact Amy Underkoffler
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American Heritage Girls
School Year | Monday Evenings
Girls in grades K-12 become women of integrity as they learn “to love God, cherish their families, honor their country, and serve in their community” by building close friendships, developing new skills, and serving thousands of hours each year in the community.
Learn More About American Heritage Girls
Contact Amy Underkoffler
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Cumberland Pointe
All Year
God calls us to love our neighbors and Awesome Adventure provides opportunities for your family to do that! Join us as we minister to the international families living at Cumberland Pointe with weekly food deliveries, tutoring, block parties, summer swim lessons, and more.
Contact Amy Underkoffler
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WinterBlast
January
WinterBlast is a winter weekend retreat at Camp Orchard Hill for boys and girls in grades 3-6 that gets the new year started right. Snow games, tubing, ice skating, hockey, gym games, inspiring worship, a challenging Bible teaching, and our incomparable annual “Manly-Man Run” make WinterBlast a weekend to remember.
Contact Elijah Schreiber
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AROMA All-Sports Camp
June
Messiah University athletes bring a high level of enthusiasm as they coach an entire week of day camp that features four different fun sports every day. Boys and girls ages 7-12 naturally admire these fantastic college students who challenge them to carry the aroma of Jesus Christ wherever they go (2 Corinthians 2:14-15).
Contact Amy Underkoffler
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Upward Sports
Upward’s mission is to promote the discovery of Jesus through sports. Children are introduced to a relationship with Jesus and encouraged to grow in their love for Him while also learning fundamentals, teamwork, and good sportsmanship, having fun without the stress of winning as the most important goal. We offer Flag Football (Aug-Oct) and basketball and cheerleading (Jan-Mar). Registration opens three months prior to the start of the season.
Contact Lisa Dunlap
Local and Global Outreach
We are deeply committed to both local and global outreach as a church and children’s ministry. Every summer, fifth and sixth graders are invited to participate in a weeklong missions’ trip to the Dominican Republic, where they prepare and present a VBS for local children at multiple churches. Over the years, these elementary students have had the opportunity to develop friendships, leadership skills, and to grow as disciples of Jesus as they’ve shared the gospel with thousands of children in Central America!
This Year’s Trip!
June 25 – July 3, 2026
Informational Meeting: Sun, Nov 9 at 12:30-2pm | Warthog Room
Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2025