Rebecca Rakestraw

• Developed strategic initiatives among board members to enhance children and youth engagement in Bible Drill programs at churches and at state and national competitions.

• Led conferences for children Bible drill leaders and judged local and state competitions

• Administrator over all preschool, children and youth programs. This included updating the children’s space and developing the budget for birth – 12th grades. Other responsibilities include recruiting and training teachers for Sunday School, Kids Worship, VBS and seasonal events. Coordinated small groups for adults which consisted of socials for theatre and foodie events and a ladies exercise class.

• Developed, created, and supervised all programs for elementary children. Recruited, trained, and supervised all teachers for children. Designed and started the preteen GAP ministry for 4th and 5th graders. Co-led Children’s Worship on Sunday mornings. Co- created and executed all special events for preschool and children for Easter, Christmas, VBS and mission trips. Led partnering churches in the execution of Winshape Community Camps each summer. Showed support and encouragement to our local elementary school teachers with lunches, treats and classroom supplies. Developed yearly children’s budget. Created programming for kids on Wednesday nights including a Bible Drill class, New Christian’s Class, special interest choice classes and the annual racer derby event. Counseled children and families in salvation decisions.

• Led conferences around the state to train leadership for Vacation Bible School

Led conferences around the state to train church leadership and teachers for Sunday school and small groups.

• Administrator over all preschool and children’s programs. Direct supervisor over preschool associate, childcare workers, Awana Director, Children’s Church Director and Sunday School Division Director. Co-director for VBS. Created a new preteen ministry (GAP ministry) for the 4th and 5th graders. Started a new kindergarten worship hour. Created a new summer program of activities for preschoolers and children. Started a new bible drill program for the church and a home school co-op group. Created a Marketplace Easter event for children. Co-led our preschool committee to develop plans to begin a special needs ministry. Assisted in creating plans for renovation projects for preschool and children’s areas. Developed yearly budget. Co-led parent child dedication services. Led parenting classes for spiritual development of children. Developed a recruiting campaign each year to enlist workers for all preschool and children’s classes. Counseled children and adults in salvation decisions and led New Christian’s and Inquirer’s classes. Participated in a local children’s ministry roundtable.

• Supervised Weekday Preschool program, committee, and the weekday director. Supervised church preschool director in her responsibilities with paid childcare workers, ETC program, and preschool Sunday School, Discipleship, and Missions organizations. Directed children and preteen programs which consisted of Sunday School, Discipleship, Bible Drill, Missions, Summer events, Camps and Children’s Worship. Created new programs for kindergartners and preteens and a computer/creative arts class for children. Developed yearly budget. Organized and implemented the yearly Fall Family Festival and Vacation Bible School. Counseled children in salvation decisions. Supervised, recruited and trained teachers for Sunday School, Bible Drill, Team Kid, Missions, and Drama/Puppets. Organized and led baby dedications during the year. Participated in the Associational Children’s Ministry Roundtable. Led Preschool and Children’s Committee in renovation projects for preschool and children’s areas.

• Recruited, supervised and trained Children’s Sunday School teachers, Missions leaders and Children’s Committee members. Created and led Serve-iors, a sixth-grade active mission group. Planned and implemented programming for missions, music and recreation. Led committee in planning and executing of programs, building improvements, budgets and special events. Planned and organized the Easter Eggstravaganza, the Harvest Festival, Parent’s Night Out, Vacation Bible School, Backyard Bible Clubs, Wacky Wednesdays and involvement in summer camps. Led Bible Drill program and a new Christian’s class. Served as PLACE consultant for church members seeking ministry direction. Participated actively in the Associational Children’s Ministry Roundtable.

• Developed programs for first through twelfth grades. Created a sixth-grade preteen department. Organized and directed Vacation Bible School, Terrific Tuesday outings for children, the Fall Festival and Easter Egg Hunts. Prepared yearly budgets. Planned and executed a sports camp weekend for older children. Supervised the Children’s Sunday School Department, the Youth Sunday School Department, and the Team Kid discipleship program. Organized youth-led weekly worship service. Taught and led youth bible studies. Supervised Lead Teams. Planned and coordinated monthly outings, retreats and camps for youth. Trained youth and adults to lead Backyard Bible Clubs on mission trips. Organized fundraisers. Planned and coordinated a banquet for graduating seniors and a teacher appreciation week and luncheon. Counseled youth. Participated actively in the Associational Youth Minister’s Committee in the planning and executing of quarterly gatherings of associational youth groups.

• Coordinated and planned youth camps, Disciple Now Retreats, Senior High School Spring break trips, the Fall Festival, the Easter Egg Hunt and Single’s Department retreats and programs. Trained youth to execute Sonshine Clubs for mission trips. Prepared budgets. Taught and led Youth Bible studies and Vacation Bible School for the youth. Coordinated a Creative Ministries program consisting of drama, puppets and sign language. Assisted youth Sunday School teachers. Organized fundraising projects.

• Taught Bible study, lead youth in recreation, counseled youth and adults, planned and led classes on youth issues, coordinated and trained youth and adults in developing skills in arts and crafts.

• Led and taught fifth and sixth graders in Bible study, recreation and crafts.

• Created and developed a youth ministry program and budget. Taught and led Sunday School, Bible studies and Discipleship training. Coordinated youth fellowships, camps and retreats and churchwide recreational activities and the Fall Festival.