Children’s Ministry | A Decade at First Dallas

In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of our New Campus, we are thrilled to present a collection of heartfelt testimonies from families whose children have grown up in our Children’s Ministry over the past decade. From newborns to now young children, these families have experienced our church’s love, guidance, and support first-hand as they navigated the joys and challenges of parenthood. We hope their inspiring stories will encourage and uplift you as we reflect on the past 10 years and look forward to the next chapter of our journey together. This milestone celebration is a tribute to the unwavering dedication and hard work of our incredible Children’s Ministry team, who have played a vital role in nurturing and fostering the growth of our children over the years.

The Leite Family

“Daniel’s birth was a bit traumatic. Five weeks early, with no amniotic fluid left and no chest compression, doctors weren’t sure he’d be able to breathe, cry, or even survive. He was born through emergency surgery on a Monday, but the day before in church, our Choir & Orchestra led us in worship with “In Christ Alone.” Little did we know that the next day, we’d hear that song again in the OR. As the team was working quickly and quietly, Kristyn Getty’s voice came over the speaker, and when Daniel entered the world with a loud cry, we all heard her sing: ‘From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny!’

Four weeks later, Daniel was in the hospital again with complications. Pastoral Care came to check on us. Six months later, he had inexplicable seizures, and our church family, Sunday School, and Prayer Partners were praying for us. Two years later, we discovered his traumatic birth had caused some speech delay, but Sunday school workers and our dear librarian, Mrs. Ruthe, patiently helped him as he learned to speak later than everyone else.

You probably wouldn’t know it by seeing him now, but his life is a testimony of GOD’s mercy and purpose, as well as the love and care of our church family. And since his first birthday when we inaugurated the new campus, as well as every following year, right around his birthday, there’s a familiar song in the air: No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. Til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ, I’ll stand!” 

The Green Family

“My wife and I came to First Dallas independently over 20 years ago before we got married. Though we had known each other for many years already, First Dallas was the place where we re-connected and found ourselves doing ministry together again, as we had done in college. After we had each served in the singles ministry here at First Dallas for a number of years, we got married here and started our family. All three of our children have been at the church since they were born, and we are grateful for the impact that First Dallas has had on them as children and on our family as a whole. We love the commitment that our church has to the Truth of God’s Word, and we have confidence that when they come to Kids Cove each Sunday and when we sit together as a family in the service each week, they are learning to stand boldly on God’s Word in all situations.

We have been blessed with so many wonderful Sunday School teachers who have poured into our children and who have nurtured them with truth, and we are thankful! One particular example comes to mind as I think about the time when we were all homebound during the pandemic. Each week, our children would crowd around a small device to watch Ron and Stacy Riffe present the week’s Bible story and help the Bible come to life. Even though only one of our children was currently in their class at that time, they all three looked forward to seeing the Riffes every Sunday!

One of the highlights of our week is working with our children to help them learn their memory verses, knowing that they are hiding God’s Word in their hearts. What an immeasurable impact First Dallas has had on our family!”  

The Garcia Family

“My husband and I joined First Dallas in 2004 when we were engaged and looking for a church and a place to marry. I’ll never forget the way the Holy Spirit moved me when the service began with the choir and orchestra, and I instantly knew we needed to join this church! I never imagined the future the Lord had for us at this church, and I am constantly in awe at the way He weaves FBD into our lives. My husband was baptized in the Historic Sanctuary, and we were married in Slaughter Chapel. I never imagined that I would one day work in the Children’s Ministry here, and I really enjoy being a part of the Kids Cove staff and seeing the ways God uses me in the lives of other FBD families.

I always knew I wanted to raise my kids in church like my husband and I were raised, and I was excited to bring Sebastian (and later Joaquin!) for his first day at church at FBD! I’ll never forget the day Horner opened because it was the day after our granddaddy passed away. I’ll always remember that Easter 2013 service, the many tears I cried out of sadness but mostly joy as I pictured my granddaddy in Heaven.

We’re so grateful for the many wonderful teachers at Kids Cove who bring a deeper understanding of the Bible to my boys, one that I didn’t learn until I was an adult. My boys have learned so much and enjoy the many wonderful opportunities available to them. We all enjoy participating in VBS. Sebastian loves being old enough to join the Preteen Bible Study, and Joaquin loves KWA Camp. It warms my heart to see them excited to come to church to learn and play with their friends! I‘ll never forget the days they accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior at FBD! We love First Dallas and Kids Cove and the many ways it has blessed our family!”