Children & Youth Ministry
We welcome children who want to experience a fun,
THE BIG HOUSE
WELCOME to Hockessin Church’s Big House!
BUT … WHY is it called “the Big House?” Although the formal name of the building is “Founders Hall,” the term “Big House” came from constantly explaining the building as the Big White House on the church property. The Big House kind of just stuck (and is a more kid-friendly name).
The Big House is “home” to the Big House Kids and Big House Youth, a/k/a the DiTs (Disciples in Training). The children range in age from 0-18 years old.
Meet Ms. Dawn, Your Fearless Leader
Leading the Children and Family Ministries is Dawn Deckman, who has been a Christian educator for 25 years. Dawn was born in Wilmington, DE and spent much of her childhood moving around She and her husband, Mark, made the decision to raise their children in the small town of Rising Sun, MD. It was in Rising Sun that they began attending Janes UMC in 1997 and Dawn received her calling to youth ministry a few years later. She then began working with the youth at Janes in 2001.
Dawn has also been on staff and served on the Northern Maryland and Cecil County Board of Directors for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her work with FCA included serving at middle and high school campus huddles, helping to lead Power Camp, a multi-sport summer camp program, and Character Coaching high school girls field hockey and lacrosse teams.
Dawn Deckman
Dawn has planned and led local, domestic, and international mission trips including trips to Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, West Virginia, the Bahamas, Guatemala, and others. She has led trips with a focus on evangelism, disaster relief, community service, social justice, and teaching youth to lead children’s ministries.
Dawn helped develop and facilitate meetings of the CCYLA, a network of youth leaders in Cecil County, MD and is a member of the Coalition Network in Delaware.
She is a graduate of The Youth Worker Academy through the Peninsula Delaware and Eastern PA United Methodist Conferences and is in the process of completing a Degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and is a Certified Life Skills Instructor.
Dawn has blessed many families using her special style of “relational” ministry. She firmly believes – especially with youth – the importance of them knowing they are valued. Dawn also leads by example – demonstrating and teaching how Jesus modeled us to “Love God and Love People.” That belief falls in line with her go-to scripture:
For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11
“I love the encouragement for each of us that comes from this verse.”
Our Wonderful Volunteers
Volunteers at the Big House play an invaluable role! As members of Hockessin UMC, we share a common focus in our beliefs and teachings – Jesus! Typically, we have 4-5 adult volunteers and 3-4 youth volunteers for Sunday School at Big House Kids.
For special events such as VBS, Pumpkin Patch, or movie nights, we enlist additional volunteers to accommodate larger crowds.
Meaningful Outreach
At Hockessin UMC, we strive to create opportunities for families to come together through enjoyable events that foster meaningful relationships within our community. Events such as the Pumpkin Patch, Caroling on the Square, our annual Easter Egg Hunt/SpringFest, and Family Movie Nights are examples of how we connect with families. Through these community gatherings, both our church families and members of the community witness the positive impact we have on youth and our broader community.
The Curriculum
Jesus remains constant—yesterday, today, and tomorrow—His message unwavering. Yet, ministry to children and youth must evolve with changing times, cultures, and technologies. Therefore, our teaching approach must be relevant and engaging, meeting kids where they are today. Ensuring programs foster retention and growth is a continual priority, constantly evaluated.
Curriculum for both kids and youth ministries is selected based on effective practices observed in other youth ministries. Key resources like Right Now Media and Download Youth Ministry are frequently utilized.
In her teachings, Dawn emphasizes the clarity of God’s message and the need to actively seek Him, as Jeremiah 29:13 instructs: “to seek him with all of your heart.” Amen!
When asked about her mentoring style and guiding children to live for Jesus, Dawn explains, “I strive to lead by example, teaching how Jesus modeled ‘Love God and Love People.’”
For Ms. Dawn, the most fulfilling aspect of being a Christian educator is using her life and experiences to share Jesus’ love with young people.
The Big House Kids
Whether learning the Books of the B-I-B-L-E or doing fun science experiments at VBS, these kids never get bored!
The Big House Youth
Our Big House Youth enjoy strengthening their relationship with Christ, and also a little fun and friendly competition.
APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT (ASP)
Repairing Homes, Transforming Lives
The Appalachia Service Project theme for 2024 is Building Kindness and is based on Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another.”
This year, Hockessin UMC sent a team of 21 – youth, young adults, and adults – to Clintwood, VA (in Dickinson County) to provide home repairs for families in need. Our team was assigned to assist families residing in impoverished areas of the Appalachian region. Alongside participants from other churches, totaling 127 people, the Hockessin Church ASP team operated from the Clintwood, VA Center in Clintwood, Virginia. Throughout the week, all teams stayed in an elementary school, sleeping on air mattresses without air conditioning or WiFi. Despite the challenging conditions, our team dedicated a hard-working 40-hour week outdoors in the summer heat to improve living conditions for local families, ensuring warmer, safer, and drier homes.
