From Kids Club to service projects to Wednesday night Bible studies, Crossing Kids has been a vital part of what has made The Crossing special these past 25 years. And at the center of it all is Christine Simon, who has faithfully led the ministry from its earliest days.
Christine has poured her time, creativity, and care into helping kids know and love Jesus. We asked her to reflect on the journey—how it started, what she’s learned, and what’s ahead for Crossing Kids.
How did Crossing Kids begin, and how did you get involved?
Crossing Kids started in Memorial Union alongside the launch of The Crossing. Rachel Tiemeyer was hired early to lead children’s and student ministries. Initially, it was just a small group—mostly the Simon and Cover kids—but it slowly grew as more families began attending. All the kids met together in a single room.
When we moved to Rock Bridge in fall 2000, Rachel asked me to help set up the baby and preschool rooms. That’s when I started volunteering. We used the two dressing rooms next to the auditorium for infants and toddlers—they had closets we converted into sleeping areas. Every Sunday felt like an adventure. We had to sweep the floors, block off unsafe areas, and transform high school classrooms into kid-safe spaces.
I still remember some of the earliest volunteers—Andy Winholtz, Amy Lannin, Ken and Deb Reed, Wendy Baier, Karen Shyrock, Keith Anderson, and so many more—who gave up their Sunday mornings to help create welcoming spaces for kids. Their commitment helped lay the foundation for what Crossing Kids is today.
What were some of the biggest challenges in the early years?
One big challenge early on was only having one service time. Most volunteers were college students or parents willing to miss church once a month to help out, but it wasn’t until we moved to two services that recruiting got easier.
We also had to set up and tear down every week. The setup team would haul toys, carpets, and pack-and-plays in tubs. They rearranged rooms and transformed high school classrooms to prepare for kids each week. Thankfully, the school let us use their preschool room as-is, which gave us at least one room that felt made for us.
Another challenge was creativity. After attending a conference, Rachel and I returned inspired to use puppets, backdrops, and skits to make our lessons more engaging. However, executing those ideas required finding people gifted in acting, design, and production.
As the church grew, so did the number of kids. That meant figuring out safety protocols like check-in systems and paging. It also meant constantly recruiting more volunteers and creating more age-specific classrooms.
When we were forced to leave Rock Bridge and faced the pressure of building a new space, it was a massive leap of faith. We visited churches across Missouri, gathering ideas for our new Crossing Kids wings. It was a season full of trust, planning, and long days—but God was in it all.
What makes Crossing Kids special?
Something special about Crossing Kids is how everyone—staff and volunteers alike—uses their gifts to help kids learn to love Jesus. It’s not just a job. It’s a calling.
I also love that our leadership (pastors, elders, and the executive team) has always taken children’s ministry seriously. They’ve consistently given us the time, resources, and funding to do it well.
We stay rooted in God’s Word but are also passionate about creativity. Our curriculum is centered on scripture, but our teaching is imaginative, engaging, and tailored to how kids learn best.
How have you seen God’s faithfulness over the years?
God has been faithful year after year. Every time we’ve needed something—a new staff position, a room full of volunteers—he’s provided.
He’s brought us creative people with educational backgrounds who’ve helped shape and write our curriculum. I’ve watched ordinary people step up and become extraordinary teachers, encouragers, and role models for kids.
It’s been especially meaningful to see my four kids grow up in Crossing Kids, alongside many others who are now leading, teaching, and serving. Through it all, it’s felt like God is doing something amazing, and we’re just trying to keep up with what he’s doing and who he’s bringing.
What are you excited about for Crossing Kids' future, and how can people pray for or support the ministry?
I recently found a list of kids who were babies in Crossing Kids in 2008. Many of them are now eighteen and serving as small group leaders, volunteers, or interns. That kind of longevity is incredible.
I’m excited to see what God will do with this next generation as they grow up in Crossing Kids. We get to be part of the story he’s writing in each kid’s life. And you can be part of that story too—by praying, by serving, by showing up.
Here’s what you can pray for:
- That God would raise enough volunteers to staff our classrooms fully so we can welcome even more kids.
- For wisdom as we open and implement our new Agape Sensory Room this fall.
- For unity and strength in our Crossing Kids team, not just in planning and execution, but relationally.
- That God would raise kids who love him and serve him with their whole hearts.
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