Family Ministry
As an intergenerational church, our vision is to raise up a new generation of families who love and serve Jesus through word and action throughout their lives and into the next generation.
Our prayer is that every young person and family at The Community Church would know how loved they are by God and that together, we would love and serve the Lord with all of our hearts, souls, strength, and minds…and love our neighbors as ourselves. (Luke 10:27, Matt 22:36-40, Mark 12:28-31). In the midst of it all, we aim to connect with God and each other, while having lots of fun!
If you have any questions about Family Ministry at The Community Church, please fill out the form below.
Infant and Child Dedication
At The Community Church, we offer Infant and Child Dedication—a beautiful and meaningful moment where parents commit to raising their child to know and follow Jesus.
To learn more about Infant and Child Dedication, please click below.
Coordinator of Children and
Youth Programs
Kristen Shafer
Kristen grew up in Oak Ridge, not far from Kinnelon. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and English Literature from the University of Rhode Island in 2009, she discovered a passion for teaching middle school students and helping them see the power and beauty of the written word. She began her teaching career in Rhode Island, teaching in a seventh grade classroom before returning home to teach eighth grade Language Arts and Literature.
Kristen married her husband, Dave, in 2014, and soon after they started their family and moved to Kinnelon. After seven years of teaching eighth grade, she stepped away from the classroom to become a full-time mother to their four sons, who are often seen around church on Sunday mornings.
Prior to becoming the Coordinator of Children and Youth Programs, Kristen had been a member of the Community Church since 2021. She greatly admired the dedication of the Family Ministry staff and volunteers and their commitment to building a welcoming and meaningful program for children and families. When the position became available, she felt God calling her to join the staff and continue building on the strong foundation already in place.
In her spare time, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband, boys, and dogs at their family farm in upstate New York and at the Smoke Rise Beach. At home, she loves cooking, baking, and gardening.
Safety & Security
In our Family Ministry program, the safety and well-being of your children are our top priorities. We have implemented a comprehensive security protocol, including background checks for all volunteers, secure check-in and check-out procedures, and constant monitoring throughout our programs. Additionally, we have installed security doors to enhance safety, ensuring that the children are securely locked during the time of lessons. In the event of an emergency, a parent or guardian should ring the doorbell next to the door, and a staff member will meet them. We understand the trust you place in us, and we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment where your children can grow in faith and fellowship. Thank you for entrusting us with your precious ones, we consider it a privilege to partner with you in their spiritual journey.
Get in touch with the Family Ministry team.
Please feel free to reach out! Whether you have a question, suggestion, would like to meet, or would like us to pray for you and your family, we are here to listen and will get back to you in a timely manner.