Quest Kids child-care ministry emphasizes community service, character building

Quest Kids child-care ministry emphasizes community service, character building

By Anna Keller
Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist

Since 2014 the Quest Kids Club ­— a non-profit organization based in Riverside — has offered a place for children kindergarten through sixth grade to have year-round access to community service, character development, education assistance and more.

“This summer, we averaged 60 kids each week,” said Kari Callahan, founder and director of the Quest Kids Club.

“Some kids come all summer and others may only attend for one or two weeks. We were able to minister to 98 kids in total throughout the summer.”

Callahan grew up the daughter of a children’s minister and always pictured herself involved in some form of ministry. She volunteered at an afterschool program as a college student but observed a lack of mentoring and teaching. She started thinking of ways to use those afterschool hours for something more productive and the Quest Kids Club began in June of 2014.

Highlight of the week

For children like Steelie Chance Jr., who will be a first grader this fall, Quest Kids Club is a highlight of his week. He has made so many memories and shared so many milestones with his fellow Quest kids, said his mother, Sacha Themelis Chance. Another plus for Sacha Chance is that Quest reinforces the parenting approach she’s taking at home.

“Kari teaches these kids core values and morals that I instill at home,” Sacha Chance said. “She teaches them to be kind and generous and to help the less fortunate. They’ve done collections for the needy and seen it through to the end — all while having fun.”

Two programs

Quest offers two separate programs: the After School Club, which runs during the school year, and Summer Day Camp.

In both programs, Quest divides kids into squads based on their ages. Kids participate in fun games and events, a devotion rotation and a worship service (called Celebration). They also learn Bible stories, participate in service projects and much more.

“We are trying to teach them to love and serve others and to be good citizens in their community,” Callahan said.

“This summer they served ice cream at the Veteran’s Home in Pell City and two other nursing homes in our area. They loved getting to play bingo with the folks at Village East. Some of the boys helped unload and organize items in the food pantry. They also handed out waters at Lakeside Park with little notes to brighten people’s day.”

Lindsey Eades, a 10-year-old Quest Kids Club participant, sees the importance in serving.

“I think it’s important to serve others because God had a plan for us to do this and He wants us to go serve people and to put a smile on their face and make them happy,” she said. “It also helps us to not be selfish and to love others how God has loved us.”

Any child in the community can attend Quest Kids Club, but the organization relies on support from outside donations. Scholarship support allows students to attend Quest at half the regular monthly program fee. Westwood Baptist Church, Alabaster, supports the organization by donating to their scholarship fund each week and First Baptist Church, Pell City, also is a contributor.

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For more information about Quest Kids Club and how to enroll your child or help support the ministry, visit questkidsclub.org or their Facebook page (facebook.com/questkidsclub/).