Volunteer Lemonade Bar
May 17th at 12:00 p.m. in the Oak Street Theater
Join us as we celebrate and thank our incredible First Kids volunteers! Your time, energy, and love make such a difference and we are so grateful for all you do.
To show our appreciation, we’re hosting a Lemonade Bar on May 17th right after the 10:45 a.m. worship service (around 12:00 p.m.) in the Oak Street Theater. Stop by, enjoy a refreshing treat, and let us celebrate you!
Summer Kickoff
May 31st at 12:00 p.m. at the McCallie Playground
Kick off the summer with First Kids! Join us on May 31st at 12:00 p.m. at the McCallie Playground for an afternoon full of fun and celebration. We’ll have a sweet ice cream social and plenty of activities for the kids. Bring the whole family and get ready to start the summer!
VBS Mandatory Volunteer Training
June 7th at 12:00 p.m. in the Oak Street Center Room 101/102
OR
June 16th at 2:00 p.m. in Mohney Hall
Calling all VBS Volunteers! Get ready for an incredible week of Vacation Bible School by joining us for a required training session on June 7th immediately following the 10:45a.m. worship service in Oak Street Center Room 101/102. This time will help you feel prepared and excited to serve our kids—plus, lunch is provided!
If you’re unable to attend on June 7th, an alternative training will be offered on June 16th at 2:00p.m. in Mohney Hall. Attendance at one of these trainings is mandatory for all volunteers.
Have questions? Reach out to Ellen Ward at firstkids@firstcentenary.com.
We’re so grateful for the ways you’re helping make VBS such a fun experience!
VBS
June 22nd - 26th at 9:00 a.m.
Mark your calendars! Vacation Bible School will be June 22nd – 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and it’s going to be an exciting week filled with faith, fun, music, and so much more. Step through the mist into Rainforest Falls, overflowing with wild waterfalls, towering trees and colorful creatures. Beneath a canopy of chattering birds and howling monkeys, kids plunge into a life-long adventure, discovering the nature of God, and exploring what it means to be rooted in relationship with their creator, a safe place in life’s storms.
Popsicles in the Park
July 12th at 2:00 p.m. at Riverview Park
Cool off with us at Popsicles in the Park on July 12th at 2:00 p.m. at Riverview Park! Come enjoy a sweet treat, spend time in the sun, and connect with friends. There will also be activities for the kids!
Glow Party
July 26th at 12:00 p.m. in the Gym
Get ready to light up the gym! First Kids’ very first Glow Party is happening on July 26th at 12:00 p.m. in the Gym! Come enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with pizza, dancing, and plenty of glowing excitement. Don’t forget to wear your best glow-in-the-dark clothes and get ready to shine!
Registration is free, but please sign up so we know you are are coming!
Registration is free, but please sign up so we know you are are coming!
Move Up Sunday
August 2nd at 9:30 a.m. in the Oak Street Theater
Move Up Sunday is August 2nd at 9:30 a.m. in the Oak Street Theater! This special morning marks the start of a new year as all of our kids move up to their new Sunday School classrooms. We’ll be celebrating each child and all that’s ahead, while also welcoming our rising students into the Youth Ministry. It’s a great time you won’t want to miss as we cheer them on into their next chapter!
Parent & Volunteer Meeting
August 9th at 9:45 a.m. in the Oak Street Theater
Join us for the First Kids Parent and Volunteer Meeting on August 9th at 9:45 a.m. in the Oak Street Theater! This gathering is for all First Kids parents, current volunteers, and anyone interested in getting involved in the ministry. We’ll share important updates, walk through what’s coming up in the year ahead, and talk about ways you can be part of all that’s happening in First Kids. Whether you’re already serving or just curious about how to get involved, we’d love to have you there!
Volunteer as a First Kids Sunday School Teacher
Do you have a heart for kids and a passion for sharing God's love? First Kids Children's Ministry is looking for volunteers to serve as Sunday School teachers to help guide and nurture the next generation in their faith journey! No prior teaching experience? No problem! We provide curriculum, resources, and support to make it easy and meaningful. Whether you can serve once a month or every week, your time and dedication will make a lasting impact.
Join us in creating a fun, faith-filled environment for our kids!
Join us in creating a fun, faith-filled environment for our kids!
Check out the volunteer training website for more information.
Interested in working for First Kids?
We're looking for folks to join our team. Email firstkids@firstcentenary.com with any questions. Click the form below to submit a job application
Ellen Ward
Director
Leesha Vander Wilt
Assistant Director
Ellen Ward
Director
Ellen was born and raised in Rome, Georgia and has lived in Georgia her whole life. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kennesaw State University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and was part of their inaugural Urban Education cohort. Ellen then launched into a career in the non-profit sector spending eleven years as a Program Director for a non-profit organization which served vulnerable youth and pre-teens in Northeast Georgia. During that time she also became a Certified Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness Instructor, and Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist. Her ministry experience began in 2009 at Camp Glisson, a UMC camp in North Georgia, where she spent many summers as a camp counselor.
Ellen joined First Centenary as the Children’s Director in June of 2025. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Stephen, and lives at Camp Lookout with her two sons, Micah and Owen, who fill her days with joy and delight. Ellen loves sitting outside in the mornings with coffee, reading, spending time with friends, and a good laugh. She is passionate about creating spaces where children can understand that they are loved and cherished by God for who they are.
Ellen joined First Centenary as the Children’s Director in June of 2025. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Stephen, and lives at Camp Lookout with her two sons, Micah and Owen, who fill her days with joy and delight. Ellen loves sitting outside in the mornings with coffee, reading, spending time with friends, and a good laugh. She is passionate about creating spaces where children can understand that they are loved and cherished by God for who they are.
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.
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.