It’s probably no great surprise to anyone of you that after 14 years of ministering in the greater Memphis area, I know my way around the local hospitals pretty well.  From the far reaches of Methodist North to the more frequent visits to Baptist DeSoto, this is terrain that I know and maneuver pretty confidently.  However, there are times when I may struggle finding a particular area of a hospital.  Recently I went to a downtown hospital in Memphis.  No problem.  I have been there many times.  It’s a sprawling facility that has been added on to many times.  The most recent section is called simply “the Tower”, but there is also a section known as the Thomas Wing, and a separate section for cancer patients that involves a route so difficult you need a GPS to find it.  On this particular morning I was headed to Same Day Surgery- a place I had been on numerous occasions.  Come in the doors, take a right, then a left, then another right, then another left, and the elevators are on the left.  This was a piece of cake. Except – I can never remember – is the Surgery Center on the 2^nd or 3^rd floor?   I got on the elevator with a man in a suit wearing a very official looking hospital badge.  I did what I rarely do and decided to ask him.  I was amazed when said he had no idea where the Same Day Surgery Center was.  Okay, maybe he just doesn’t work in this section of the hospital.  I was on my own and decided to just get off on the 2^nd floor.  As soon as I stepped out of the elevator and the doors shut, I knew this was not it.  So I punched the elevator button and made my way to the third floor.  Bingo.  As I rounded the corner, I could see the waiting room was full, but found the folks I had come to visit.  I almost dropped my jaw when I saw the man with the badge talking with someone in the very location he had just a few minutes ago told me he had no idea where it was.  Who can figure?  The truth is there are a lot of people we come in touch with every day who need a little, or maybe even a lot, of help.  Please take the time to show them the way.  They may be trying to get to the right floor or even more critical, they may be looking for the right foundation.

Going up,
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Our Mission and philosophy
To impact newborn – kindergarten children and their families so they are able to:

*CONNECT to God and others

*GROW in knowledge and understanding through practical experiences.

*SERVE together so children discover their uniqueness and eventually God’s mission for their lives.

*WORSHIP individually and corporately in order to show our love for God through everything we do.

Children matter to God.

 

All children are special to God and need to be accepted and loved at all times. Jesus set the example, and we are clearly called to model and communicate God’s love to them.

Children need loving relationships.

We want children to build meaningful relationships with God, their peers, and the adults around them so that through these encounters they receive hope and encouragement for everyday living.

Children need a Biblical foundation.

Entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ is a process-oriented experience.  We want to lay a spiritual foundation of understanding so that when the Holy Spirit begins to move in the heart of a child, he or she will be prepared to make an informed decision about accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior.

Children need are-appropriate application.

We are dedicated to presenting the message of Jesus Christ in relevant, age-specific ways so that the principles of God’s Word provide practical ways for kids to cope in the midst of family problems, school pressures, illness, death, divorce, loneliness, fear, and the uncertainty of life.

Children need creativity and fun.

God designed children to have creative imaginations, a variety of learning styles and a desire to have fun.  We want to present the truth of God’s Word through methods which are consistent with how children are created to think and learn.

At DeSoto Hills, we value children. We seek to nurture and teach even the youngest of children, and we intentionally offer training, support, and encouragement to their families.

Children who have special needs are welcome to participate in all of our activities. We are glad to assign a one-on-one buddy through our Circle of Friends ministry.

Nurseries

Our four nurseries are available at all services on Sundays, Wednesdays, and at most special events. Located downstairs, they are staffed by over 75 volunteers who rotate monthly and offer loving, competent care for newborn and infants. Toddlers and Climbers enjoy a short bible story and related activities as well as plenty of free play.

A private are in our Cuddlers nursery is provided for the comfort of our nursing mothers.

The children are moved from one nursery to the next at the discretion of their parents and as their individual development dictate. These posted ages are merely suggested guidelines:

Cuddlers (0-7 months) Rm# 103
Crawlers (8-15 months) Rm# 104
Toddlers (15-24 months) Rm# 105
Climbers (24-36 months) Rm# 106

Children are generally promoted quarterly following their birthday.

Getting Involved
Our ministry is based on relationships. We want children to grow in their relationship to God and His word. We believe that this happens best, as children are involved in relationship with other children and adults. The children you work with will look at you as a role model. We recoginze that you and those volunteers who serve with you are the foundation of a successful ministry to children. That is why we are diligent in our recruiting, interviewing, and placement process. An application can be printed from the Resources page. All information will remain confidential and be kept on file at DeSoto Hills Baptist Church.

Leader Recruitment Process

1. Express an interest

2. Complete an application form

3. Set appointment for interview

4. Pastoral Staff Screening

5. References/background checked

6. Interview with Preschool Director or assistant

7. Attend a one-time “Kids with Heart” new volunteer orientation in March or September.

Most of us can still remember exactly where we were and what we were doing on September 11, 2001 when we first heard that a plane had slammed into the World Trade Center. I was at our home on Henry Drive getting ready go to head to work at the church. At first it was unclear whether this was an accident or a deliberate act. That question would soon be answered as I watched a live feed of yet another plane slamming into the second tower. Later that same day word would come that the Pentagon had been hit and a fourth plane had crashed in Pennsylvania. America was under attack. Over the next few days the skies became quiet as all flights were grounded. Families huddled together, loved ones were remembered, and many folks flocked to places of worship trying to find some solace in the face of such blatant disregard for human life. We wept, we mourned, we questioned, we pondered whether life would ever be the same, and we vowed never to forget. It is a vow many have forgotten. We are still under attack, but the enemy is finding new tactics everyday to constantly erode the principles on which this nation was founded. Make no mistake, America has many opponents who would love to see nothing less than the destruction of our nation. Perhaps, though, the greatest enemy we face cannot be detected with radar or metal detectors. It is the enemy of APATHY. As the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot- we must not- hide our head in the sand and ignore the enormous problems facing our world. His church must rise up in these days and be strong in the Lord as we hold up the LIGHT to an evil that is ever seeking to engulf humanity in a thick fog of darkness. It is so easy to get distracted or even worse, discouraged. We must keep our eyes on Him and our head in the game.

“…let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven…” Matthew 5:16

Resting in Him,
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and Grant perform hilarious and infamous “Merle” skit that James Lewis has performed countless times over his years in ministry. I’ve seen it many times growing up and this was one of the best performances ever!

High Five “The UNDIGNIFIED Story” from Desoto Hills Baptist on Vimeo.