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Children's
We believe the body of Christ must act upon Proverbs 22:6 – Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. We are also empowered by the words of Christ himself when he said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). Below is a description of our classes:
Preschool Sunday SchoolBabies up to age 3 meet in the nursery and are under the supervision of dedicated volunteers.Preschoolers (ages 3 and 4) meet at 9:15am in their own room. There they sing, enjoy Bible activities, & stories.
Elementary Sunday SchoolOur Sunday School ministry follows our morning worship service and starts at 10:45 AM. Classes are split in to the following age groups:
Preschool (ages 3-4) & Kindergarten1st & 2nd grade3rd through 5th grade
Our Children’s Bible lessons use curriculum designed to take our children through the major themes of the Bible and encourage kids to begin developing their own relationship with God, and then grow in that relationship. It is age appropriate material that starts by walking our younger kids through the Bible in two years to create a foundational knowledge of the Bible. Then, they move on to continued learning through more focused studies on character, particular people, topical studies, books of the Bible, etc. The 4th and 5th graders seek to get a better understanding of God’s Word through curriculum that takes them deeper in their knowledge of the truth, their relationship with the Lord, and real life as they face it today. Our goal is not just to build Bible knowledge, but a loving, trusting, relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, as we come along side you, the parents, in your journey to raising Godly children.
BWBC Child Protection PolicyPlease view our BWBC Child Protection Policy here.
For more information, contact our Associate Pastor of Family Ministry, Stuart Redcay at gro.sdoowgib%40rtrauts
Youth / NAVIGATE
Purpose of Youth MinistryThe purpose of our youth ministry is to come alongside parents in the discipleship and instruction of their students. Our goal is for students to engage with their peers, connect with adult leaders who want to help grow them in faith, and see student's transformed lives bring glory to God wherever they are. It is because of this that our ministry focuses on Gospel-centered teaching, genuine relationships, and fun activities.
Because Big Woods strongly believes that parents are called to be the primary disciplers of their children, we always want parents to be informed of not only what is going on, but also what is being taught. Please click the link to sign up for weekly youth ministry update, where you can stay up to date on teaching, events, and more happening within youth ministry.
Parents, we encourage you to get signed up for the Youth Ministry Parent Update emails as those include more detail into what is happening with our Youth. Feel free to reach out to Pastor Stuart to get signed up!
Sunday SchoolOur Sunday School ministry is designed to teach biblical truths while encouraging deeper thought on how we apply these truths to our lives.
When & Where?-High School: Sundays at 10:45am in our Basement Youth Center - Youth Room-Middle School: Sundays at 10:45am in our Basement Youth Center - Youth Classroom
NAVIGATE Youth GatheringsNavigate Youth Gatherings are our separate youth ministry gathering just for students! At Navigate, they will be challenged with biblical teaching, be discipled by adult leaders in small groups, as well as have fun with games and activities each week.
When & Where?-High School & Middle School: Wednesday Evenings from 6:30pm-8:00pm in our Basement Youth Center.
For more information or to sign up for one of the above events, contact our Associate Pastor of Family Ministry, Stuart Redcay at .gro.sdoowgib%40rtrauts
College / NewLife
Young Adult
If you've graduated from high school, don't have kids of your own, are between the ages of 18-27, and are looking for fun things to do this summer, look no further! Our goal is to create a community that is open for young adults to gather in fellowship. To cultivate this space, we will have a variety of activities and events - such as Bible studies, pool parties, game nights, bonfires, hikes, cookouts, outdoor excursions, and even some out-of-town adventures! Click Here to find a schedule for all things young adult fun this summer. For questions or more information, please contact Robbie Mays at .gro.sdoowgib%40meibbor We look forward to seeing you this summer!
Men's
Men's Ministry exists to equip men to be faithful to what God has called them to in all aspects of their lives, including being a husband, father, employee, neighbor, and Christian. Men's Ministry helps to connect believers to one another to build each other up in faith and study God's Word together.
Friday Morning PrayerPurpose: To encourage one another and hold one another accountable through prayer.6:00 am at Zane Patalive's (570-295-4830)6:00 am at Art Gray's (570-660-5600)
Saturday WorkdaysPurpose: To serve the body of Big Woods through physical work around the church. Workdays are sporadic throughout the year. Contact the church office for details (570) 893-8274
Thursday Night New Husbands and/or New Fathers GroupPurpose: For New Husbands and New Fathers to connect with one another, pray, study Scripture and learn how to lead their families in the admonition of the Lord. Join us as we bear one others burdens and spur one another toward godliness! The group meets every other Thursday night at 6:30PM. For more information, please email Bill Newman at moc.liamg%40evilnamwenllib
Thursday Morning: Bibles and BreakfastPurpose: Men of Big Woods will meet and eat while studying God's Word together, growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). The group will meet the last Thursday of every month at 7AM at Restless Oaks.
Thursday Night Garage GuysPurpose: Guys get together to hang out, encourage one another, bear one another's burdens, and just enjoy fellowship as guys. We meet the first Thursday of each month.6:00 pm at Dave Frankenberger's
Women's
Women's Ministry exists to encourage and equip women to know and love God and His Word as well as to grow and serve in building up the church.
Women will be discipled by someone, whether it's wise older women in the church, the latest best-selling author, or whatever TV, news or social media platform they tune into. There are so many voices out there having the appearance of godliness but denying its power, creeping into households to capture minds weak in the faith, burdened and led astray, always learning but never able to arrive at truth (2 Tim 3:5-7). This is why we desire to provide doctrinally sound teaching and rich biblical "one another" fellowship for women in our community.
Friday Morning PrayerPurpose: To worship and adore our Heavenly Father and bring the needs and concerns of the church, its leaders, our nation and one another before Him.6:00 am in Woolrich, at Lynel Gaunt's (570-769-7224)7:00 am in Lock Haven, at Linda Gray's (570-660-6655)
Women's Saturday Prayer Purpose: A time of coffee, devotional and bringing our praises and petitions before the Lord. 9:00 am every 2nd Saturday of the month at Big Woods Bible Church.
Adventures in Motherhood (AIM)Purpose: Build a community for moms of children age 0-18 to connect and encourage each other in friendship and faith through a short devotional and discussion time, followed by a time of fellowship. The days for the Spring are February 8th, March 14th, April 11th, and May 9th. AIM meets at the church in Sunday School classroom 2.To volunteer for childcare, please email Jillian Best at ten.newcbi%40tsebj
For more information, questions, or to get involved email gro.sdoowgib%40yrtsinimsnemow or contact a member of the Women's Ministry Team:
Front: Brianna Batdorf (director),Karli Vandament, Jillian BestBack: Linda Gray (advisor), Rachel Krick
Foreign Missions
Big Woods takes the final command of Jesus very seriously and pursues making disciples of Christ in Clinton County and around the world. We have the pleasure of working with many missionaries through friendship, prayer and financial support.
“How Can I Pray for My Missionaries?”1. Pray for their relationship with God. All too often we have placed all missionaries on a high pedestal marked “Super-Spiritual Saint.” It doesn’t occur to us that our missionaries have any need in regards to their walk with God. On behalf of your missionary, pray for his or her: a. Feeding on God’s Word b. Prayer life c. Filling with the Holy Spirit d. Maturity and growth in grace e. Victory over Satan and the flesh
2. Pray for your missionary’s physical and emotional life. Many missionaries live and work in difficult climates and where various diseases are prevalent. Pray for their health and safety. Also pray for deliverance from discouragement, loneliness and depression as they are in the thick of the spiritual battle.
3. Pray for your missionary’s family. Pray, if married, for the husband and wife’s relationship. Pray for the children—for their salvation and growth in the Lord. Pray that as a family, they will provide an excellent model for the people among where they serve.
4. Pray for your missionary’s ability to communicate. Communication is the key to everything a missionary does. We must communicate with our lives and lips. For many, they must adapt to a new culture and learn a foreign language. Many languages, if not all, are difficult to learn. And a superficial knowledge of a language makes it very difficult to communicate spiritual truth. But knowing a language is not enough. A missionary must adapt culturally and communicate the love of Christ with the people he is seeking to reach.
5. Pray for your missionary’s ministry. Pray for boldness, open doors and open hearts.
6. Pray for your missionary’s fellow workers. Most probably, your missionary is not working completely off on his own someplace. He is usually part of a team and he will likely be working closely with the believers in that country. Probably, more than any other place, this is where Satan often gets in and causes havoc.For a map and photo of all our missionaries and where they are in the world, please visit the welcome area in the church.
OUR MISSIONARIESSeth & Emily Boger – Middle EastLuke & Julianna Brady - Ethnos 360 Training CenterEric & Jalyn Ickes - Word of Life, PhilippinesSascha & Damaris Kroeker – GermanyJareb & Amy McClain – Beyond the Reef Ministry – Bible translation and Bible study development for indigenous people in the Asia/Pacific regionPhilip & Bea Schuring – BrazilCraig & Shelly Schafer – Ministering to indigenous people in the Asia/Pacific region.