A bit of history for the truly devoted.
Early 2000's
Beautiful Savior Lutheran church experienced a kids ministry "renaissance" after embracing a new style of curriculum where they left the old classroom model of learning and switched to large and small groups. Key leaders were Margie Cloeter, Mark Roth, Kathy McKain and Dave Stout. Because of this brave groundwork, the kids ministry begins to grow.
Beautiful Savior Lutheran church experienced a kids ministry "renaissance" after embracing a new style of curriculum where they left the old classroom model of learning and switched to large and small groups. Key leaders were Margie Cloeter, Mark Roth, Kathy McKain and Dave Stout. Because of this brave groundwork, the kids ministry begins to grow.
2004
Dina Newsom takes over leadership of an already healthy VBS program which had embraced the then new style of rotational groups of kids under the direction of Ruth Immerfall. That program continues to grow steadily.
Dina Newsom takes over leadership of an already healthy VBS program which had embraced the then new style of rotational groups of kids under the direction of Ruth Immerfall. That program continues to grow steadily.
2006
Scotte Hansen joins the staff first as a youth leader, then just 6 months later is switched to half time children's ministry leader. BSLC leaders begin strategically planning for the future, as God shifted the church into growth mode. A shift is made that makes major changes to the children's Christmas program, rebuilding it from kids performing to adults into adults teaching kids. This idea lays the groundwork for the Kidnect Family eXperience which comes along later. Key leaders were Jay and Jenifer Srygley.
Scotte Hansen joins the staff first as a youth leader, then just 6 months later is switched to half time children's ministry leader. BSLC leaders begin strategically planning for the future, as God shifted the church into growth mode. A shift is made that makes major changes to the children's Christmas program, rebuilding it from kids performing to adults into adults teaching kids. This idea lays the groundwork for the Kidnect Family eXperience which comes along later. Key leaders were Jay and Jenifer Srygley.
2007
Beautiful Savior moves to a new location.The idea of expanding our children's ministries beyond Sunday mornings is born with a vision of serving the community and utilizing our new building more than just one day a week. Key leaders were Mick Fjell, Phil Bauer, Lorraine Nabor and Keith Grimm.
Beautiful Savior moves to a new location.The idea of expanding our children's ministries beyond Sunday mornings is born with a vision of serving the community and utilizing our new building more than just one day a week. Key leaders were Mick Fjell, Phil Bauer, Lorraine Nabor and Keith Grimm.
2008
Part time kids ministry stipend staff are added to support an expanding program. Other folks for which we are very thankful for are Julie Korte, Vicki Heupel and Sue Knapp.
Part time kids ministry stipend staff are added to support an expanding program. Other folks for which we are very thankful for are Julie Korte, Vicki Heupel and Sue Knapp.
2009
The vision and philosophy of Kidnect Ministries is born at a children's ministry conference. Key leaders were Dave Stout, Lindsey Marek, Shirley Reinert and Dina Newsom. The team sets the goal of uniting our weekend and weekday ministries under the Kidnect umbrella to kid-nect kids to Jesus by serving the needs of their families. The full time Child Care program launches in the summer.
The vision and philosophy of Kidnect Ministries is born at a children's ministry conference. Key leaders were Dave Stout, Lindsey Marek, Shirley Reinert and Dina Newsom. The team sets the goal of uniting our weekend and weekday ministries under the Kidnect umbrella to kid-nect kids to Jesus by serving the needs of their families. The full time Child Care program launches in the summer.
2010
In partnership with the Hong Kong Synod, Kidnect Ministries begins assisting several schools in development of community outreach style VBS programs in the city of Hong Kong. Over the next several years it grows to several more schools serving several thousand children per year. Dina Newsom plays a key role in the success of this mission.
In partnership with the Hong Kong Synod, Kidnect Ministries begins assisting several schools in development of community outreach style VBS programs in the city of Hong Kong. Over the next several years it grows to several more schools serving several thousand children per year. Dina Newsom plays a key role in the success of this mission.
2011
The Child Care program hires its first permanent director. It continues to expand and license new space rounding out its service to children ages 6 weeks through school age. Planning begins to spin off the early childhood center of Kidnect into its own stand alone ministry. Under the direction of first Brenda Lay, and then Jewel Miller, the Child Care develops into a robust program that is financially stable, healthy and positioned for future growth. The Kidnect Family eXperience is born in ministry. KFX is a one night, VBS style event that empowers parents to be the spiritual leaders in their homes.
The Child Care program hires its first permanent director. It continues to expand and license new space rounding out its service to children ages 6 weeks through school age. Planning begins to spin off the early childhood center of Kidnect into its own stand alone ministry. Under the direction of first Brenda Lay, and then Jewel Miller, the Child Care develops into a robust program that is financially stable, healthy and positioned for future growth. The Kidnect Family eXperience is born in ministry. KFX is a one night, VBS style event that empowers parents to be the spiritual leaders in their homes.
2012
Kidnect Child Development LLC is organized with its first board made up of Tom Pflug, Mick Fjell, Scott Wollberg and Scotte Hansen as Executive Director. The LLC is set to oversee the weekday care and educations programs of Kidnect. Kidnect Preschool opens, continuing a rich history of classic preschool education began by Beautiful Savior in 1974. This opens the door for another avenue of modernization and growth in new directions, serving the children of Papillion and La Vista. Pam Prazan continues her leadership of this program while the Child Care continues to grow. Kidnect plays a part in the BSLC multi-site strategy supporting kids ministry in new locations across Omaha. Dina Newsom shifts from volunteer to staff.
Kidnect Child Development LLC is organized with its first board made up of Tom Pflug, Mick Fjell, Scott Wollberg and Scotte Hansen as Executive Director. The LLC is set to oversee the weekday care and educations programs of Kidnect. Kidnect Preschool opens, continuing a rich history of classic preschool education began by Beautiful Savior in 1974. This opens the door for another avenue of modernization and growth in new directions, serving the children of Papillion and La Vista. Pam Prazan continues her leadership of this program while the Child Care continues to grow. Kidnect plays a part in the BSLC multi-site strategy supporting kids ministry in new locations across Omaha. Dina Newsom shifts from volunteer to staff.
2013
Kidnect Ministry Consulting begins after a conference plug from one of the leaders in the Nebraska District, and some door opener opportunities by the Holy Spirit. Kidnect begins working with several churches in the midwest helping them overhaul and troubleshoot their early childhood ministries as well as start new ones. This is the first year multiple sessions of VBS are offered as the ministry grew too large for one session.
Kidnect Ministry Consulting begins after a conference plug from one of the leaders in the Nebraska District, and some door opener opportunities by the Holy Spirit. Kidnect begins working with several churches in the midwest helping them overhaul and troubleshoot their early childhood ministries as well as start new ones. This is the first year multiple sessions of VBS are offered as the ministry grew too large for one session.
2014
Kidnect begins takes a breath and takes a contemplative look towards its own future and its current model of discipleship strategy. Kidnect Ministries strives to adjust its Sunday School and Nursery programs to meet the needs of the multi-site ministries that continue to develop at Beautiful Savior. Anna Jeseritz becomes an invaluable team member at our Northwest site.
Kidnect begins takes a breath and takes a contemplative look towards its own future and its current model of discipleship strategy. Kidnect Ministries strives to adjust its Sunday School and Nursery programs to meet the needs of the multi-site ministries that continue to develop at Beautiful Savior. Anna Jeseritz becomes an invaluable team member at our Northwest site.
2015
Kidnect begins a long range future growth study focused on creating a more goal oriented strategy for kids ministry discipleship. It builds on some learnings of the previous year, laying the groundwork for what would become a comprehensive overhaul of all of its programming. The Preschool and Child Care programs continue to thrive.
Kidnect begins a long range future growth study focused on creating a more goal oriented strategy for kids ministry discipleship. It builds on some learnings of the previous year, laying the groundwork for what would become a comprehensive overhaul of all of its programming. The Preschool and Child Care programs continue to thrive.
2016
Holly Marasco joins our staff as Child Care Director. Lindsey Marek transitions to our newly created Outreach Director position to focus more on the spiritual aspect of our weekday program and events to connect community families to the church. A year of explosive ministry and staff growth follows. Work continues on the comprehensive overhaul of Sunday School programming. A focus on ministering to parents to minister to their children grows. Our Parent Connection class (later called Equip: Parents) is refined for parents of a wider age group. The Family Resource Center opens.
Holly Marasco joins our staff as Child Care Director. Lindsey Marek transitions to our newly created Outreach Director position to focus more on the spiritual aspect of our weekday program and events to connect community families to the church. A year of explosive ministry and staff growth follows. Work continues on the comprehensive overhaul of Sunday School programming. A focus on ministering to parents to minister to their children grows. Our Parent Connection class (later called Equip: Parents) is refined for parents of a wider age group. The Family Resource Center opens.
2017
After more than two years of work, our comprehensive scope and sequence for ministry from birth to college is complete. Work begins overhauling existing church programs to fit the new parent-focused model. Christmas brings the very first Kidnect Family Worship Service at Beautiful Savior. This is a concentrated effort to write an entire worship service that is developmentally appropriate for more ages than just adults.
After more than two years of work, our comprehensive scope and sequence for ministry from birth to college is complete. Work begins overhauling existing church programs to fit the new parent-focused model. Christmas brings the very first Kidnect Family Worship Service at Beautiful Savior. This is a concentrated effort to write an entire worship service that is developmentally appropriate for more ages than just adults.
2018
Our Kidnect family is saddened with the death of Scotte Hansen in July. He served as the driving force in the creation of many Kidnect programs and their continued development to meet the needs of the families we serve. The spark he ignited in creative thinking will long be remembered at Kidnect.
Our Kidnect family is saddened with the death of Scotte Hansen in July. He served as the driving force in the creation of many Kidnect programs and their continued development to meet the needs of the families we serve. The spark he ignited in creative thinking will long be remembered at Kidnect.
2019
Kidnect LLC experiences a major transition with the departure of two well loved staff. Preschool Director Pam Prazan and Child Care Director Holly Marasco both leave in the spring. Kidnect hires Rebecca Bradley to oversee the whole program. She begins that role of Center Director in June and completes a shift of combining the early childhood education weekday programs of Kidnect under once license of part-time and full-time care.
Kidnect LLC experiences a major transition with the departure of two well loved staff. Preschool Director Pam Prazan and Child Care Director Holly Marasco both leave in the spring. Kidnect hires Rebecca Bradley to oversee the whole program. She begins that role of Center Director in June and completes a shift of combining the early childhood education weekday programs of Kidnect under once license of part-time and full-time care.
2020
Dina Newsom transitions to full time with the ministries side of Kidnect at Beautiful Savior allowing a bigger bridge between the church and LLC as they strive to kid-nect families to Jesus together. The COVID-19 pandemic causes major shifts in the programming of all the programs of Kidnect with closings, reduced numbers, and shifting to online ministry. Virtual VBS is done for the first time in June. The full-time Child Care maintains operation all year, while the part-time Preschool program closes classrooms in March and reopens in the fall.
Dina Newsom transitions to full time with the ministries side of Kidnect at Beautiful Savior allowing a bigger bridge between the church and LLC as they strive to kid-nect families to Jesus together. The COVID-19 pandemic causes major shifts in the programming of all the programs of Kidnect with closings, reduced numbers, and shifting to online ministry. Virtual VBS is done for the first time in June. The full-time Child Care maintains operation all year, while the part-time Preschool program closes classrooms in March and reopens in the fall.
2021
As the pandemic guidelines begin to lift, all three Kidnect programs return to more normal operations. Preschool graduation is held in person for both part-time and full-time students in May. VBS hosts one week in person and one week virtually in June. Beth Lantz takes over the Center Director position in August just in time to begin a new school year. The Kidnect LLC Board is revamped with new members Rachel Baxter, Angie Kaipust, Lisa Fricke and Pastor Jim Haack and adds parent representatives. Kidnect Ministries is sad to see Vicki Fischer step away from her position as her family grows.
As the pandemic guidelines begin to lift, all three Kidnect programs return to more normal operations. Preschool graduation is held in person for both part-time and full-time students in May. VBS hosts one week in person and one week virtually in June. Beth Lantz takes over the Center Director position in August just in time to begin a new school year. The Kidnect LLC Board is revamped with new members Rachel Baxter, Angie Kaipust, Lisa Fricke and Pastor Jim Haack and adds parent representatives. Kidnect Ministries is sad to see Vicki Fischer step away from her position as her family grows.
2022
Kidnect LLC and Kidnect Ministries continue to work together for stellar events like KFX and Trunk or Treat to help engage families from both programs to invite visitors to our campus. Some of these events were on hiatus during the pandemic, but things are back in full swing this year. Planning for an expansion begins to take shape in August with major building renonvations to allow the enrollment of full-time students to basically double. Leaders at Beautiful Savior support this endeavor to grow the kingdom.
Kidnect LLC and Kidnect Ministries continue to work together for stellar events like KFX and Trunk or Treat to help engage families from both programs to invite visitors to our campus. Some of these events were on hiatus during the pandemic, but things are back in full swing this year. Planning for an expansion begins to take shape in August with major building renonvations to allow the enrollment of full-time students to basically double. Leaders at Beautiful Savior support this endeavor to grow the kingdom.
