Our Community

Nursery (Birth-K5)

Throughout the pages of the Bible, we are told how much God loves boys and girls. The child he has entrusted into your care is growing every day to become all that God has planned.

The Children's Ministry of Shades Mountain Independent Church begins on the first day your child enters our nursery. Every time your child comes to church, we are there to provide another step in a lifelong character-training program. We consider our ministry a great privilege and an awesome responsibility.

"Creation Station" is the name of our Nursery and Preschool Ministry. The Nursery ministers to children up to age two and the Preschool ministers to 3-5 year olds (or those not having entered first grade). We begin teaching the Bible to children in our Toddler classes and work to make each class and program age-appropriate, relevant and contemporary. The Nursery Hall is located on the seond floor of the Worship Center.

Jonathan Owen, our Children's Minister, has served both in Student Ministries as well as Children's Ministries at SMIC over the past several years and directs Camp Straight Street during the summer. He is married to Kristin and they have two children. Jonathan may be reached by email or by phone at (205) 978-9124.

Laura Atkins, our Director of Creation Station, brings years of experience volunteering in SMIC’s nursery and preschool ministry, experience in leadership in other ministries of the church, and a background in education. She is married to Tim and is the mother of three children. Laura may be reached by email or by phone at (205) 978-6005.

JoAnne Gulledge, the Assistant Director, also brings years of experience volunteering in SMIC's nursery and preschool ministry. She is the mother of five grown children and the grandmother of eleven.