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| Constructed
for the new FBCR Sanctuary Building in 1952 by The Judson
Studios in Los Angeles, Christ and the Children stained glass
window illustrates the church's commitment to welcome, receive,
and love all of God's children. Click
to view larger image. |
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| Caring
for children and youth is a top priority at The First Baptist Church
of Redlands. Spiritual, physical, social, and educational concerns
are addressed in the ministries that we provide. We want the children
and youth under our care to personally experience God’s love
for them and to know that God wants their best in all aspects of
their lives. |
Those working with children and youth are required to complete a
thorough screening process that includes multiple reference
checks and approval by our Christian Education Commission.
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In conjunction with the Christian Education Commission, the Directors
of Children’s and Youth Ministries implement ongoing training
for those serving with our children and youth. In addition, all primary
volunteers leading our programs are CPR/First Aid certified. |
All
children and youth classes and programs have a minimum of two screened
volunteers leading at all times. In addition, the church staff members
are on the grounds visiting the various classes during program hours. |
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Mustard Seed Tutorial Center was founded in 1994 by Nancie A. Nelson
as a ministry of The First Baptist Church of Redlands. A public school
teacher, Mrs. Nelson saw a need for after-school educational assistance
that would be accessible to low-income families.
She recruited volunteer tutors from the church and began posting
advertisements at her school. More and more children began enrolling
for tutoring and Mrs. Nelson accumulated a sizeable base of academic
resources, both teaching programs and age-appropriate literature.
In May of 2000, Mrs. Nelson incorporated Mustard Seed, officially
separating from The First Baptist Church to seek additional funding
as an independent, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization.
Mrs. Nelson resigned as Executive Director at the end of the year
2000 due to complications resulting from cancer. During the months
of January and February 2001, tutors and members of the Board of
Directors assumed the management of Mustard Seed. Then, in March,
Mrs. Nelson passed away. This was a difficult period for the program
as those who knew Nancie best were attempting to keep the program
afloat while grieving for the death of its founding director. Attendance
fell from 80 students weekly in December to 42 in March. At this
time, Cindy DeRoulhac, a local teacher who was off-track for the
month, volunteered to step in as Director. Under her leadership,
the program was moved from the small room in which it had begun to
larger, recently renovated facilities on the third floor of the church
building.
When Mrs. DeRoulhac resumed teaching at the end of March, Eric Stoddard
was asked to fill the role of Director. Because Mr. Stoddard had
not been previously associated with Mustard Seed and complete records
prior to Mrs. DeRoulhac’s assumption of the program were not
available, he reorganized much of the program.
As Mustard Seed entered
a less chaotic period, enrollment began to climb again and new educational
programs were launched. The year 2002 saw further development as
attendance grew and surpassed previous levels. 2002 also saw the
coming of two educational experts, Darilyn Hester and Judy Pulliam,
who helped improve the quality of Mustard Seed’s academic resources
and offerings. In 2003, Mustard Seed expanded its tutoring services
by opening a new Reading Lab. In addition, the program hired a Coordinator
of Volunteer Tutors with the intent of reinforcing its tutor corps.
This employment position was successful, bringing both tutor and
student participation to record levels. In 2004, Mustard Seed's computer
lab was completed and opened in March.
Since its inception, Mustard Seed has offered academic assistance
to more than 500 local children and their families.
For more information regarding Mustard
Seed Tutorial Center, please
call (909) 335-8678. |
