About Family Ministry
Mission
Our prayer is that every young person and family at The Community Church would know how loved they are by God. Our prayer is that together, we would love and serve the Lord with all of our hearts, souls, strength, and minds…and love our neighbors as ourselves. (Luke 10:27, Matt 22:36-40, Mark 12:28-31). In the midst of it all, we’ll connect with God and each other, while having lots of fun!
Small Groups
We would love for you and your family to join a small group to grow in faith and connect with others in a similar life stage! Our faith is deepened by connecting with each other. We have groups for every age and stage, including for young families, families with older kids, young dads, and women. Please check out our small groups page to learn more and sign up today!
New Here?
What to Expect on a Sunday Morning
When you reach the Smoke Rise gate, simply let them know you’re heading to The Community Church. The worship service runs from 10:00 to 11:00am. We suggest arriving a few minutes early to get your child checked in.
You’ll be greeted warmly by our Greeting Team, who can direct you to the Family Ministry sign-in area.
First time here? You’ll be given a New Family Registration form to fill out and receive name tags for your kids. Feel free to fill out the New Family Registration form online prior to visiting by clicking here! Doing so will streamline the process of checking your kids into the CC Nursery, Kids, or Youth groups when you arrive for your first visit.
Returning families will receive computer-printed name tags for kids and a security tag for parents; please hold onto it in order to pick up your kid(s). For more information on how this security system works, please see the Safety & Security information below.
You’ll worship together as a family for the first two songs of the worship service.
Then, children in PreK through Grade 4 will be invited to the front of the sanctuary. Their group leaders will take them to the CC Kids wing to spend the rest of the worship service in a fun, engaging, age-appropriate Bible lesson. Please click here for more information on CC Kids.
Youth Grades 5 through 8 will be invited to meet their leader at the staircase in the back of the sanctuary. Their group leader will take them to the CC Youth Room, which is located in the lower level hallway. Please click here for more information on CC Youth.
Parents of little ones under age 3 are welcome to drop their child off in the nursery (in the CC Kids wing) with trained and background checked Family Ministry team members. We also have a Family Lounge where your little one can play with fun toys while you watch the worship service livestreamed. There’s a changing table, wipes, extra diapers, and handwashing station in the Family Lounge.
Kids and youth are taught and supervised by an awesome team of trained and background-checked volunteers.
During the CC Kids and Youth time, we focus on learning about and connecting with God through developmentally-appropriate Bible lessons, along with fun crafts and games, connecting with each other, and sharing ways we can live lives of love and service that reflect our Christian faith.
At the end of the service, a volunteer will scan your security tag to sign out your child. See you again next week!
Safety & Security
In our Family Ministry program, the safety and well-being of your children are our top priorities. We have implemented a comprehensive security protocol, including background checks for all staff, small group leaders, and family ministry volunteers. We also have secure check-in and check-out procedures and constant monitoring throughout our programs. Additionally, we have installed security doors to enhance safety, ensuring that the children are securely behind locked doors during the time of lessons. In the event of an emergency, a parent or guardian should ring the labeled doorbell next to the door, and a Family Ministry team member will meet them.
We understand the trust you place in us, and we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment where your children can grow in faith and fellowship. Thank you for entrusting us with your precious ones, we consider it a privilege to partner with you in their spiritual journey.
Meet the Team
Lisa Nopachai
Pastor of Family Ministry
Lisa grew up in Kinnelon, NJ, and recently moved back after over a decade of living in Southern California. She loved the sunshine and beaches, but really missed north Jersey’s beautiful nature and good Italian food!
With a BA in psychology from Amherst College, and a master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, Lisa has over 15 years of ministry and faith-based non-profit experience. She has served as a hospital and hospice chaplain, and in leadership in multiple multiethnic, intergenerational church congregations. She's also worked in the field of child advocacy and as a researcher at the Fuller Youth Institute, which focuses on Christian youth ministry. Throughout her life, she's always loved being around kids and always found ways to be working with them: as a Sunday school teacher, camp counselor, mentor, or tutor.
Lisa and her husband have been married since 2011 and have two girls who love singing, dancing, and playing together. Lisa loves hiking, rock climbing, yoga, tennis, and dance. She recently completed a certificate program to become a spiritual director and loves creating spaces for people to rest in God’s presence and pray together. Lisa’s favorite scripture passage is Ephesians 3:16-19, about the vastness of God's love.
Amanda Garcia
Family Ministry Coordinator
Amanda grew up in Wayne, NJ, and moved to Kinnelon with her family in 2019. She started her college journey at Ramapo College, graduating in 2020 with a BA in International Studies. Soon after, she found her passion for community and kids at The Community Church, where she helped start the Kids Ministry program. Alongside her job, she earned her Masters in Global Affairs from Rutgers University in January 2024.
Amanda enjoys walking, listening to podcasts, and discovering new coffee shops. Amanda’s favorite scripture is Psalms 139:14, that references the love of God and individuality.
Get in touch with the Family Ministry team.
Please feel free to reach out! Whether you have a question, suggestion, or would like us to pray for you and your family, we are here to listen and will make every effort to get back to you in a timely manner.