Junior Department Goals: It is our hope that during the preschool and primary school years, our children will grow in their faith and relationship with God; explore what it means to live out one's faith (discipleship); and come to feel that they are an important part of the AMC family (community).

The Akron Mennonite Church Junior Department serves children Birth to Grade Five during Jr. Christian Education Classes, Nursery care, Pre-School Church, Share-A-Life, Venture Club, and Vacation Bible School.

The Junior Christian Education Department uses the Mennonite curriculum Gather 'Round. With Gather 'Round, we teach our children that God's ways are surprising and unpredictable and that God's good news is for all - even the needy, the poor, the weak, the undeserving. Gather 'Round builds on Anabaptist values, teaches that the central theme of the Bible is best expressed in the like of Jesus Christ, and emphasizes the importance of Christian community, corporate worship and the joy of service and outreach.

Each Sunday separate classes are provided for children age two through grade five. About 35 volunteers teachers, assistants, substitutes, and superintendents teach the children.

The Childrens Offerings projects are Atlantic Coast Conference Nickels for Neighbors project, Girls and Boys Christmas Bundles for the Hispanic Mennonite Council, a Global Family Program Sponsorship for children in Kosovo, MCC Penny Power, MCC school kits and health kits, and Hopi Mission School. Approximately $2,000 total offerings per year are received.