Fifth and Sixth Graders are known as “tweeners”. The reason is because they are in between elementary age students and jr. high age students. Not only are they “tweeners” in their age and grade, but also in maturity and spirituality. They are children, but they feel ready to be more than children. Because of this they always feel in between.  The fifth graders think that they are too old to do the Kidz Ministry while the sixth graders have trouble fitting into AMP. They are at times too young and feel inadequate to participate in the activities. Because of this there is a major need for a 5th and 6th grade ministry. 

The Answer 

M56 – AS the need to change our approach to 5th and 6th grade ministry became more apparent it became our mission to find an alternative. The answer is Mission 56 or M56. The Mission 56 is based on Matthew 5.6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…”. We want to encourage and feed that hunger for God. M56 is designed to challenge students to grow and try their strength while still providing them a secure environment that helps them take those next steps.

The vision for M56 is that the transitions for our students, as they grow up in LDBC, would be seamless. They would move from the Kidz Ministry, through M56, and on to AMP with clear purpose for each ministry and the same high quality programming throughout.

Instead of tweens being an age where we lose students, M56 will be something students will feel more comfortable coming to and inviting friends to.

     o  Students will be exposed to an open lesson format where they can engage the material rather than be given the answers.

     o  Students will experience new aspects of worship with a live leader helping them understand what it is to experience God.

     o  Students will be taught how to listen and understand the Sunday Worship Service. We will have “helps” for them to assist with their participation.

     o  Students (and parents) will have chances to experience overnight trips within a close setting to build confidence for longer trips.

     o For both our Kidz Ministry and AMP the room is a defining part of that ministry. It says that they are important and worth an investment. It is a place built for them from the start.

     o  Small Gourps – Start by breaking into two small groups for the lesson time. Then come together for a large group time for announcements and to move together to the worship service.

     o  Route 56 - a large group setting on Wednesday night. This will be a time of teaching, worship, games and other activities focused on growth and learning.