Nurturing the spiritual growth of children from birth to 5th grade.

About First Kids

Every child is a beautiful & unique creation & within our First Kids Ministry we strive to provide many different learning styles for your child to soak up the Bible and grow closer to God. Showing children a little piece of the Kingdom of God is the goal of every Children's Ministry Staff & Volunteer here at First-Centenary.  Every First Kids gathering, whether it is Sunday School, Celebrations of the Church Year, Special Events, or Summer Programs embraces the creativity & wonder of all children by opening new doors of exploration & thought in each individual little mind!

Understanding & relationships with our Heavenly Father is the ultimate goal!  We believe the best way to reach our children is when the two largest individual influences, the church & the home life, come together to create the greatest impact on our littles.  Join us, as together we learn & grow on this amazing God journey of life!

Want to connect?

Click here to request to join our private First Kids Facebook page

Email The First Kids Director, Beth Spears, at bspears@fcumc.org

Announcements

The No Rehearsal Nativity Pageant

December 15th at 10:45 a.m. During Both Worship Services

On Sunday, December 15th, join us for The No Rehearsal Nativity Pageant during the 10:45 a.m. services in both The Vine and the Sanctuary! Children are invited to dress up as their favorite nativity character and participate in this joyful procession, walking down the aisles during the service.

No rehearsal is needed, and costumes will be provided—just come ready to celebrate the story of Christmas!

Families are invited to meet us in the Sanctuary at 10:40am, and sit in the pew labeled with your child's character of choice.

We will begin in the Sanctuary and travel as a group to The Vine.

Younger children's families are invited to walk with us during the pageant; elementary children may walk by themselves.

Interested in working for First Kids?

We're looking for folks to join our team. Email Beth at bspears@firstcentenary.com with any questions. Click the form below to submit a job application

Weekly Schedule

Sunday Mornings

In-Person Sunday School for Birth to 5th Grade

  • Join us from 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.

Childcare & Children's Worship available during 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Worship Services

  • Preschool Mini Worship at 11:00 a.m.            
  • Elementary FirstKids LIVE! at 11:00 a.m.

First Kids Virtual Sunday Lessons

  • FOR ALL AGES - Video links are posted beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday for you to show your children when it fits best in your family's schedule. (Pick your own family God time!)

Wednesday Nights

  • Prime Time Family Dinner (5:30 p.m.)
  • Children's Music (6:00 p.m.)
  • Littles Clubhouse Fun (6:30 p.m.)

PreK4 - 1st Grade

  • Music activities will start at 6:00 p.m.
  • After music, the children will go to the Elementary Wing for more church fun activities
  • Please pick up your children by 7:40 p.m.

2nd - 5th Graders

  • Music activities at 6:00 p.m.
  • Afterwards they will go to the gym for more fun with Mr. Ian
  • Please pick your children up in the gym no later than 7:40 p.m.
Our children’s program is so much more than singing in a choir. We teach rhythm, melody, play instruments, & play games that teach how to read & play music – skills for a lifetime! All children are invited to participate in this enjoyable & enriching experience!

Meet The Team

Beth Spears

Director

Leesha Vander Wilt

Assistant Director

Beth Spears

Director

Beth Spears has been working with children at First-Centenary since 2000. She has been the Children’s Director since 2016. Beth has a bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Growing up as a preacher's kid, Beth worked in many children’s ministries in the Holston Conference and even started some from the ground up.

When not at church, Beth loves having movie nights with her husband, Kenny, and taking photos of the exciting adventures God puts in her life.

bspears@firstcentenary.com

Leesha Vander Wilt

Assistant Director

Leesha Vander Wilt has been working with children at First-Centenary since 2016. She has been the Assistant Children’s Director since 2024. Leesha has a bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education from the University of West Florida. Leesha has a heart for children that she learned from her mother and continues to show that heart every week through the ministry.

When not at church, Leesha is usually hanging out with her kid, her dog, her father and/or her flock of chickens. She enjoys being outside walking her father's work property and seeing the amazing things that God's created. She also enjoys gardening and keeps up with her mother's flower garden.