Heroes Gate Values

By Paula Bowlby, Associate Early Childhood Pastor

The start of a new year is a good time to reflect on who you are and where you are going. In Heroes Gate, we feel the same way, and our staff and volunteers are invested in sharing Jesus and Kingdom principles with children and their families.

Heroes Gate is designed to be a place where kids learn their role and their place in God’s Story. We believe that we each have a role to play in the Kingdom, and we want to partner with parents to equip children to grow spiritually. Each child is a hero in God’s story, and it is exciting to be a part of developing and equipping children for this role.

In Heroes Gate, we value love, being rightly-related, Biblical understanding and equipping kids to deal with spiritual warfare. Each week, we incorporate these values into the lessons that are written in-house by our own staff. Want to know what your child will be learning in the month ahead? Don’t worry – We’ll post a preview here so you can take a look. We value partnering with parents and want to help you find resources to help you as you raise your child in faith. After all, parents are the primary faith influencers in each child’s life. That’s why it is our hope that parents will visit this site to be informed and to ask questions of us. We’re here to help YOU!

Each Sunday, children who from Older Toddlers through 6^th grade participate in large group lesson time. In the lesson times, they will hear a Bible story, worship and then move into a time of reinforcement in a smaller group setting. We have over 150 volunteers who provide a safe and caring environment for children to learn. Our volunteers welcome families, provide a secure environment, lead our teaching areas, lead worship and connect with the kids.

I have been working in Heroes Gate for almost 13 years. Before I came on staff, I volunteered for many years. Working in Heroes Gate is not a job for me – it is a calling. I feel called to minister, to pray and to help connect children and adults to God and each other. In my ministry, I have the privilege to minister with some fabulous people. I have made forever friends and have had the honor of working with many parents and children. It is wonderful to work with staff and volunteers who share the same values and Kingdom principles. I came to Woodland Hills as a young mom whose child would not stay in the nursery at most of the churches we visited. We came to Woodland Hills, and this was the first place my son would stay in the nursery. We quickly became connected to many fabulous people and drove 1.5 hours round trip each week to attend service. Woodland Hills is home. I am thankful to minister with you and serve you all.