Serving Our Community through the Early Learning Center
Ministry Village at Olive offers a variety of ministries with many opportunities to help individuals and families right here in your own backyard. We would love for you to join us as we strive to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus throughout our community. Over the past few weeks, we have highlighted the major ministries of Ministry Village– the Bargain Center, Most Excellent Way, Charis House, Tender Hearts and Caring Hands. This week, we put the spotlight on the Ministry Village Early Learning Center.
The Ministry Village Early Learning Center is celebrating its 4th anniversary this November! At the ELC, we are focused on providing Christ-centered high quality care and education for the youngest members of our community (ages 3 months to 5 years). We were thrilled to open our doors to our first ELC families on November 19, 2018, and this past May (2022), we celebrated the VPK graduation of some of our first generation of kids – little ones who started with us as babies and completed all of their preschool education at the ELC. It has been a tremendous blessing to be part of their lives.
These past 4 years have not been without their challenges. Like every other school and childcare facility throughout the world, the ELC had to figure out how to manage Covid protocols, striving to keep each child, family and teacher safe and healthy. The ELC became one of the only area childcare centers continuing to operate during the height of the pandemic. With other facilities closed, first responders and medical professionals needed a place to care for their children, and the Lord guided many of them to the ELC. In September 2020, Hurricane Sally caused significant flooding damage to the building, requiring the ELC building to close for repairs. As always, God provided a way for us to continue caring for our ELC families, and Olive’s Preschool Director Sharon Barnes reached out to provide space in their building for our classes. Sharon and her team of preschool leaders were a tremendous support to the ELC, welcoming our teachers, families and children with open arms. Thanks to dedicated contractors and hardworking volunteers, the ELC was able to return to its renovated building after several weeks of construction and completed safety inspections.
ELC Director Kristi Zagar is so thankful to God for all of His blessings throughout these past 4 years at the ELC. “Our staff has handled themselves so well, being put into so many difficult situations. The care of our children has always remained as their top priority. God’s love has emanated from each of them and has pulled us through these days. God has blessed us with amazing teachers who love Him and love each of our students. The challenges we have faced has helped make us better at walking in blind faith. God has us right where He wants us, and He will not leave us wandering in the desert. There is always a promised land coming over the horizon.”
Would you like to help the ELC serve our community? Here are a few ways you can contribute.
Teach! Mrs. Kristi is always looking for smiling faces with a heart for teaching little ones about God. As the program grows each year, the ELC is continually adding classrooms and needs certified teachers, assistant teachers, and substitute teachers. Check the ELC’s current job openings on their Facebook page, or reach out to Mrs. Kristi to let her know your experience and how you can help. Send your resumé to Kristi Zagar at KZagar@MinistryVillageELC.org.
Purchase select books/supplies to donate to the ELC. Mrs. Kristi has compiled a list of desired items that will help bring smiles and learning opportunities to the children we care for. Email her and ask for a few suggestions, or specify a dollar amount you would like to donate and let her know you’d like to designate those dollars to purchase books, toys or equipment for the preschool.
Follow us on Facebook and share the news about our preschool! Our Ministry Village Early Learning Center has its own Facebook page (@MinistryVillageELC) and website (MinistryVillageELC.org). If you follow us on Facebook, you can share our posts with your friends and help us spread the word about our facility.
Pray! We have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on the children who enroll in our facility as well as their families. We sincerely appreciate your prayers as we work to provide a quality preschool education, lead these families closer to the Lord and make a positive impact in their futures.
Contact Kristi Zagar, Director of the Ministry Village ELC, at (850) 490-3436 or KZagar@MinistryVillageELC.org for a list of items you could donate to the ELC and for more information on serving through the Ministry Village Early Learning Center.
Follow the ELC on Facebook or visit their website at MinistryVillageELC.org for more information.
