Looking for a Church

Try "Revolution" in Westport. They are non-denominational, and VERY welcoming. Very young and open-minded and accepting of all. Lots of little ones there too! It's on Pennsylvania Street in Westport. http://www.myspace.com/kcrevolution

We attend Unity Church of Overland Park at 103rd and Antioch. Non-denomenational, very welcoming and lots of families with children. Sunday school classes are fun and for all ages - babies through high school age. My daughter loves to go to Sunday school! There is a family room with sound proof walls in the Sanctuary so you can take your family in there if you like and still hear/see the service. It's a wonderful place - services at 9and 11am on Sundays.

I highly recommend ROlling Hills Presby Church at 9300 Nall. We have services at 9AM & 10:15 with sunday school for your children.

I know you said you tend to gravitate toward non-denominational churches and I can't give any advice on any of them. I am a parishoner at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 71st & Metcalf. From the first day I stepped foot in the church 18 years ago, I was warmly welcomed by people of all ages. At the time my son was 2 and my daughter about 2 months. I never felt it necessary to go to a cry room because I had kids. As a matter of fact, we always (and still do) sat close to the front of church so my kids could see what was going on and who was talking or singing. It kept their attention and they didn't make so much noise that I had to leave. We have an active parish school (John Paul II Catholic School) and school of religion for the kids (though not till kindergarten) and adult formation classes (RCIA) are beginning in the next week.
I'm glad that you are trying to find a church for your family; so many people just don't...
Enjoy your search for a church that you're comfortable with that fits your own beliefs. Hope to see you at Queen.

Hello S.,

I worship at Lenexa church Of Christ. Cottonwood and 79th st. We are a small group compared to some...about 90 members. We have a room at the back of the pews that has a glass to see through and a speaker with volume control so you can still hear what is happening in the auditorium. I've spent lots of time in there;o)

I teach Bible class for the toddlers, we would love to have your boys! You don't have to send them to class, the choice is up to you! We have classes first and then we all join in the auditorium for worship. There are quite a few in our age group, so you would not be the odd person out!

Here is the website for map and times of worship.

http://lenexachurchofchrist.org

Please write back if you have any questions!
S.

Hi S.:
I no you don't live norht of the river but, I live off of Barry Rd and we go to a church called Hope Fellowship. I don't like being a number or just another body in the pew either. My dad is a minister and I always grew up in a country like setting too. If you are ever up around Barry Rd, come on by. They have a nursery and children's time they go out of the santuary so you have a quite time while you can listen to the sermon. It's very laid back and no discriminating. You could wear jeans, shorts, anything really casual. Come and try it you would be impressed.
L. D.

Check out www.kclifechurch.com. We like it there. It's small, only around 50 people, but people are super friendly there and you definitely won't go unnoticed. It's like a small family.

Hey S.!

It looks like you've gotten a good response of others telling you about their churches too and they all sound great. I pray that God will lead you & your family to the church He has for you. :)

Another church that may be close to you, but still not non-denominational, is LENEXA Baptist Church. I've hear great things about this church too. :)

I am also a SAHM and a homeschooling mom :) My husband is 31 and I am 29. We have 2 small children – our dd is 20 1/2 mo. will be 2 in Dec. My ds is 5 yrs. & will be 6 in Nov. So, I’m right there with ya on feeling nervous about leaving your kiddos with strangers. :) Bless your heart.

I don't attend a non-demoninational church, but I do attend a really awesome, warm, loving, "come as you are", family-friendly, diversified age-grouped Southern Baptist Church. I attend Nall Avenue Baptist Church at 67th Street & Nall in Prairie Village, KS. It's in the area of Mission/Prairie Village off of Shawnee Mission Parkway. I'm sure you know the area. Our address is 6701 Nall Avenue, Prairie Village, KS, 66208 if you'd like to mapquest it to see how far it is from you. We also have a website http://www.nallave.org/

I am from Mississippi. We moved here about a year ago for my husband to attend seminary at Midwestern Seminary in the Gladstone, MO area. My husband, having been in the ministry for awhile serving as pastor & college minister, was also looking for a ministry position while attending seminary and so God placed him as Youth Minister at Nall. WE LOVE OUR CHURCH!!! It is so full of such warm caring genuine people who love the Lord.

Sorry this may be a little long but I just wanted to give you some info. about our church & you can contact me if you have any further questions :) You can also visit our website to look around there too. I hope this helps you to know about our church & may God lead you and your family in where He would have you be. :)

Wow, where do I start? :) We always have something going on to be a part of. We have 2 worship services on Sun. mornings – we’re not a large church but we do average around 300 for both services, but there’s not SO MANY people that you’re not noticed b/c you will feel very welcomed & right at home. We have greeters at the doors to answer any questions & make you feel welcomed. I know the first time we came to church here we knew this was where God wanted us to be. :)

Our 2 services are at 8:00 and 10:15. The 10:15 service is more blended age. We also have a blended style of worship - traditional & contemporary - with keyboard, drums, guitar, praise team) We also have Sun. evening worship (my husband preaches this laid-back more traditional service.

We have Sun. School @ 9 am. We have a young adult Sunday School class that is divided by age (older young adults & younger young adults) It’s nice to be with those your own age – and we all have kids that range in ages. We have really great young adult leaders. We have donuts & coffee before Sun. School for a time of fellowship. It's just a nice time of coming together to study God's Word.

We have a really great children's ministry - we have a director that oversees all activities & functions. The kids have classes too - even the little ones where they sing songs, learn about God, make stuff, play with toys – we also have a playground that’s fenced in right outside their door with age appropriate equipment - and during Sun. School & during church service they get to be in the same room. Our 1’s & 2’s class, where you’re little ones will be consists of about 7-8 of this age so you'd definitely have others with kids your age, 2 of the kids in this class are boys: 1 just turned 2 and the other turns 3 in Oct. All of our doors have little windows where you can peek in at anytime, but we don't have a room where you can sit during the service to watch them. :( But I'm sure the teachers wouldn't mind you staying with your little ones just until you felt comfortable leaving them or staying the whole time. :) 2 teachers are in the room with them.

Other things about our church -- We offer small group studies, Wed. night Bible study, Wed. night family dinner @ 5:30, ladies nights out, our young adult Sun. School leaders have a small group study at their house every Fri. night and play games & eat snacks & have a Bible study. We have a very close nit group. On Tues. nights we offer a Beth Moore Bible Study: Believing God. So, as you see we have so much to be a part of and there's a place for everyone at our church.

Ok, I know I must seem really eager for you to visit our church by giving you ALL THIS information, but we really would love to have you & your family visit us. And just see for yourself if Nall Avenue is the place for you. :)

We go to Shawnee United Methodist Church. I would say it is a medium sized church. The things I like are that it has lots of activities like preschool moms group, sunday school, youth group, community service activities, etc. but it is small enough that the minister knows your name and so do the people around you. I am a shy person so it is hard for me to get to know people but I feel very comfortable at our church.

Good luck in your search.

The website is www.shawneeumc.org

We like the contemporary service but they have more traditional services also.

M.

www.mormon.org
We have congregations in every area. You are welcomed into a very family oriented/friendly atmosphere and befriended by people of all ages. (lots of little kids all over, no crying room--as that would be most of the congregation :) Check out the website to find out meeting time and place :)

I am an Elder and Clerk of Session at Leawood Presbyterian Church on 83rd St east of Mission Rd. I would like to invite you to attend our church and check us out. Our service is at 10:30 with children classes at the same time. We have several kids around your children's ages. We have an exciting new pastor that started a year ago Pastor Ryan Kapple. He was in youth ministry for over 10 years at Colonial Pres. Check out our web site and I hope to see you there.
Many blessings, L. Donovan

www.leawoodpres.org

Dear S.-- As an elder and member of Southminster Presbyterian Church, please allow me to extend an invitation to you and your family to join us on any Sunday. The church is located at 63rd and Roe in Prairie Village. I drive in from Kansas City KS, and I am very pleased to do so. We have wonderful pastors, active family life minitries, a vigirous Christian Education program, and, most of all, very friendly members. Church services/activities are at:
8:30 am (Morning Light Service--Early Worship)
9:30-10:30 am Sunday School--classes for all ages
9:30 am to 11:am--coffee/snacks available in fellowship hall, Grab someting to snack on before going to Sunday School, or get a quick snack before church (or after morning light service!) This is a great time to converse with others. Also, you can visit our "Visitors Booth" during this time--find out what Southminster has to offer you and your family!
11:00 am Worship Service (during this time, about 10 minutes into the service, there is a time for children, where little ones have a special few moments with one of the pastors, and then they go to "Treasure Time" during the service.) Nursery care is also available. Please look me up if you decide to come and visit!
Sincerely,
J. Hatfield-Callen, Elder, Chair of Christian Education Committee, Southminster Presbyterian Church

Hi S.,
We live up North but attend Legacy Christian Church in Overland Park. It is located on Antioch about 2 blocks North of 103rd Street. It is a very large church but we found it easy to get to know other people because we chose to be part of a "life group" or bible study basically.
They have LOTS of wonderful people that work with the children, a phenomenal childrens and teens ministry. You can check the church out online at lcc.org and even watch a worship service. They have 3 church service times, Sat night at 6pm, Sunday morning at 10:45 and then one earlier that I can't remember the exact time on--I don't attend the early one, can you tell?
I really urge and invite you to come to at least 3 services and really check out what our church and church family have to offer. I have never felt the "pull" to worship in a certain church like I feel it there. They have a fantastic music ministry with super talented people wanting to share their gifts for the Lord. Totally awesome and inspiring.
We have a great event called "Fall Fun Fest" that happens on Halloween night, it is a safe way for kids to dress up and trick or treat..we also have inflatables and games...you can eat dinner there at the church for a small fee and just come and have a super fun time with your children. It is free and when you check out the website, it will have the time posted.
Good luck in your search and God bless!

Try Unity on the Plaza. Lots of young people, very friendly, and non-denominational.

We go to Kaw Prairie at k7 and Prairie Star Parkway. Everyone is very nice and they have a great kids program and Nursry for the little ones. I have a brand new baby so I know how you feel about leaving them. The music is great and everyone is involved in the service.

We recently moved from kcmo to lenexa and have been looking for a church too. It's hard. We have a daughter who is almost 14 mo old and we want her to be able to sit with us as well without feeling like we're getting dirty looks from people. I'm not comfortable leaving her in a nursery yet-my husband and i both grew up in churches without a nursery and would rather have our child with us. I understand there's people who don't take their noisy kids out but as soon as our daughter makes any noise one of us takes her out.

We just went to Westside Church that someone else mentioned this last weekend. So far I've felt the most comfortable there for sure. A much more relaxed atmosphere and there was quite a few other people who had their kids with them and there were monitors out in the hallways for you to watch and listen if you need to leave with your kid.

We're going to keep looking before we decide where we'll go for sure so i'll let you know if there's any others that stand out for us...i'd love it if you could let me know what you find too...sounds like we're looking for kind of the same thing.

Dawn

Hi, S.. Our family has been going to Westside Family Church. It is non-denominational, very contemporary, with great music at the worship services. They cater to families and have awesome children's programs. I have an almost 3 year old and an 8 year old. They have great care providers for the children, and eventhough they do not have a watch room, they have peep holes in the door if you get concerned. My daughter has done great adjusting. There are 2 teachers in each room. I would give it a try. It is at 87th and Woodsonia, so not too close, but not too far. I live in Shawnee and it is worth the drive. Good Luck and God Bless. Oh, you also expressed concern about feeling unwelcome. We have NEVER felt unwelcome in that church. There are greeters at the door to say hello when you arrive, and they have Life groups you can join to get to know others in the church. It is awesome. I hope you try it out. Check out their website: www.westsidefamilychurch.com