Kids Ministry in Tempe, AZ
Gethsemane Church's ministry to kids birth through 5th grade
Looking for a safe, fun, and engaging place for your kids on Sundays?
At Gethsemane Church in Tempe, our kids ministry is designed to help children learn about God in a way they actually enjoy. From toddlers to elementary-aged kids, we create a welcoming environment where every child is known, cared for, and excited to come back.
We’re located in Tempe, just minutes from ASU, and serve families across the East Valley.
GC Kids meets every Sunday during 10am worship
NURSERY: Birth - 3 years
GC KIDS: 4 Years - 5th grade
GC KIDS ON INSTAGRAM
UPCOMING EVENTS
SLIDE INTO SUMMER | May 17, 2026
Kick off the season with us at Slide Into Summer on May 17! Join us for a fun, family-friendly morning starting with 10am worship (including a special recognition of our high school graduates) and GC Kids ministry, followed by water slides, treats, and plenty of time to hang out and celebrate together. Bring your towels, invite a friend, and come ready to enjoy an unforgettable start to summer! RSVP here today!
VBS KIDS CAMP | July 6-9, 2026
Are you ready to have fun, learn more about God, and serve our community!? Join us July 6th - 9th from 9am to noon for 4 mornings of learning and celebrating the good new about Jesus! VBS is open to kids age 4 through 5th grade (entering this fall). Sign up today to hold your spot--they fill up fast! Snacks are provided and each kid receives a t-shirt!
RECENT SPECIAL EVENTS
What to Expect at Kids Church
From the moment you arrive, our GC Kids team is here to help you and your child feel comfortable.
- Easy and secure check-in process
- Age-specific classrooms
- Friendly, trained leaders who love working with kids
- Fun, interactive Bible teaching and music
- Games, activities, and meaningful small group time
Whether it’s your kid’s first time or they’ve been coming for a while, we want them to feel safe, included, and excited to be here.
Your Kid's Safety Matters
We know dropping your child off somewhere new can feel like a big step. That’s why we take safety seriously.
- All volunteers are background-checked
- Secure check-in and pick-up system
- Clearly structured classrooms and supervision
- Leaders trained to care well for kids
You can enjoy the service knowing your kid is in a safe and caring environment.
Classes for Every Age
We offer age-appropriate environments so your kid can learn and grow alongside kids their own age:
Nursery (0–3 years)
A calm, nurturing space where your baby is cared for by loving volunteers.
Preschool (4 years–1st grade)
Simple Bible stories, play-based learning, and lots of fun.
Elementary (2nd–5th grade)
Engaging teaching, games, and small groups that help kids build friendships and faith.
A Place Your Kids Will Love
Our goal is simple: to create a place where kids genuinely enjoy coming to church.
We believe church should be:
- Fun and engaging
- Safe and welcoming
- Meaningful and age-appropriate
Many families tell us their kids ask to come back—and we think that’s a pretty good sign.
Plan Your Visit
Visiting for the first time? We’d love to make it easy for you.
You can check out service times, see what to expect, and let us know you’re coming so we can be ready to welcome you.
Visit Gethsemane Church in Tempe
We meet every Sunday in Tempe, AZ, and would love to meet you and your family.
If you’ve been searching for a kids ministry in Tempe, a church with childcare, or a family-friendly church near ASU, we’d love for you to check it out.
Relationships are at the center of Kid’s Ministry at Gethsemane Church. Our kids ministry includes age-specific classes and activities designed for every stage.
We know that kids who feel loved and cared for freely share that love and care for others—positive relationships are contagious. Jesus loved and cared for people and took the time to build relationships. Our volunteer leaders emulate the love of Jesus and share that with the kids in our care.
VISION
Our vision for GC Kids: take Jesus home.
With everything we do at GC Kids, we are asking this crucial question: “How are we helping these kids and their parents take Jesus into their homes and everyday lives?”
FLOW
We keep this flow relatively consistent across all our programming because it works well and it facilitates easier transitions between different levels of ministry, for kids, students, and volunteers.
We follow an ACTIVE > LARGE GROUP > SMALL GROUPS flow (see below).
Nursery
(Available during 10am Service)
3 Years and Younger
Care for our GC babies is available starting at the beginning of service. The nursery is located in the northwest corner of the Commons in the Worship Center building. You can either check in your kid in the nursery or when you check in your other kids in the NextGen building for 10am GC Kids. After worship, check your kid out directly from the nursery.
GC Kids
(Available during 10am Service)
4 Years (potty trained) – 5th Grade
At GC Kids we use a Active -> Large Group -> Small Group flow. Here’s what a general Sunday morning looks like:
First, head across the courtyard before 10am worship to the NextGen Building to securely check your kid(s) into GC Kids. Parents and kids receive matching stickers for security.
- Kids go with their groups for their GC Kids experience and parents are invited into worship.
- Following worship, check out your kid(s) in the NextGen (same location as check-in) by showing your security sticker to one of our GC Kids volunteers.
- Head back to the courtyard or Commons for socializing, coffee, and snacks.
Kids are in a state of discovery. It’s our goal for them to discover:
- Who God is
- How He sees kids (and all people) as valuable
- How much He loves them
- The important role kids play in God’s Kingdom.
