Tender Shepherd Preschool!
Perhaps the ministry for which we’re best known is our preschool. For 52 years, our preschool has been sharing and teaching the love of the Tender Shepherd with two, three, four and five year-olds. With a staff of 12 and directed by our very capable Jessame Cruz, Tender Shepherd is considered by many to be the best preschool on the island. Play, respect and getting along with others are the mainstays of our ministry but, for the older children, preparing for Kindergarten is also offered, using the Abeka curriculum. Wednesday chapel is a highlight for children but prayer before meals and loving the other are daily virtues that are taught and modeled. Throughout the school year certain programs are offered—Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chamorro Week, Easter—and parents come to see and celebrate what their children are learning and doing. We also offer a summer program. Want more info? Contact Jessame at 671-477-4732.
Christian Education!
Christians should always be learning more about what it means to be a Jesus-follower and a citizen of the world. To that end, we offer Sunday School after worship each week during the school year. Children, youth and adults meet at the same time and often follow the same curriculum, making for ongoing conversations at home. In the past we’ve offered vibrant Vacation Bible Schools but since COVID this ministry has not been renewed. Perhaps you’ll be the one to spearhead the restart of this wonderful ministry! A Confirmation class is offered for our middle school youth periodically. Adult Bible studies and discussion groups are offered often. After Easter, we’ll be meeting on Wednesday nights (6 pm) to view selected episodes of The Chosen, followed by discussion. Join us on April 3, 10, 17, 24 and May 1!
Mission Trips!
We’re in the process of discerning where we might go on our next mission trip. Past trips have led us to ministries in Cambodia, Palau, Pohnpei, the Philippines and Thailand. Some trips are just for youth, some are just for adults but most are a combination of ages. Each trip has a different mission, depending on the need and the skills of the trip participants. We’ve done medical work, helped at an orphanage, built a church, provided training for a preschool and conducted Vacation Bible Schools. Our next Mission Trip is scheduled for January 1-8, 2025 going to one of the following locations: Marshall Islands, Palau, or Thailand. A decision will be made soon. Come, join us for our next adventure!
Youth Ministry!
Admittedly, our youth ministry was much stronger pre-COVID but we’re on the upswing—and perhaps you can help us regain what we lost! With vibrant middle and high school youth groups before, our youth ministry currently consists of a combined group meeting during the Sunday School hour. We’re doing the Youth Alpha program, which is great, and occasionally get together for other activities. We make a point of engaging our youth in worship and so individuals students read scripture, help run our AV equipment, play/sing on our Worship Team and serve as communion assistants, ushers and more. You’ll find our young people helping with our work days, putting away our Christmas decorations, delivering food to our shut-ins and more. Our young people are an important part of our congregation!
Service!
From beach clean-ups to typhoon repairs, we stay busy—helping others and maintaining our own beautiful ocean-side property. The last Saturday of many school year months is dedicated to projects around the church—and there are always things to do! Caring for God’s wondrous creation is a value for us and so we tend to the beach in front of us and often up and down the coast far beyond our own property. When there’s an appeal for help—rides for our seniors, meals following surgery, providing childcare for an overworked parent—we are there to show that Christians care! Many, many of these acts of kindness are done outside of a special program. When God’s people see a need, they simply respond, whether individually or as a group.
