The Fehrmann’s
Years ago when we had our first child and began looking for a church home, one of the most important things to us was finding a church with a strong kids program. We wanted a place where our kids could grow in their faith, and walk alongside other kids while building meaningful friendships rooted in the same values.
We tried a few churches, but after our very first week at Hillcrest, we immediately felt at home. Our oldest, Carson, enjoyed the kids program and was able to be part of it for a time but we had to step away when our middle son Kade was diagnosed with cancer just before he turned 4 in summer of 2023.
Treatment for Kade's rare cancer took us to New York City every 4-6 weeks for over a year, and due to having to be careful about what Kade was exposed to, we stopped attending weekly church services.
But, about a year after his diagnosis, we decided to return during VBS in the summer of 2024, so our kids could have a fun week and return to some normalcy. Since Kade was either at home or in NYC for treatment for almost his entire 4th year, he developed a lot of fear and anxiety over many situations. On the first day Kade cried because he didn’t want me to leave him, but the kids ministry staff and VBS volunteers welcomed him with such kindness and care that by the end of the week he loved it so much he cried all the way home because he didn’t want it to be over.
Since then, we have been back at Hillcrest and both of the boys go to kids programming each Sunday! Carson absolutely loves Jr. Students this year, the connections he's been making and of course all of the fun Sunday night gatherings. The Jr. Student staff are so amazing with the kids, have great energy and are people Carson looks up to.
And Kade, his health is great and he's been thriving in the elementary group! Erin is the kindest soul and greets him by name and with a huge smile each week. and those small moments matter. Kade asks throughout the week when it’s a church day and even said he missed it while we were recently on vacation.
One moment that really stood out to me as a parent came when Kade was feeling afraid and anxious about a situation. Afterward he told me, “I stayed calm because I just closed my eyes and prayed over and over.” As a parent, hearing that was such a powerful reminder of how the seeds being planted through the kids ministry are already taking root in his heart. What a gift!
Looking back, it feels like God was already at work in those early days when we were simply searching for a church with a strong kids program. Little did we know how much we would need Hillcrest in the years that followed.
As I think about the future of the kids' wing, my prayer is that my boys will continue to have opportunities to grow in their faith, serve others, and walk alongside the Lord within a strong community, in all stages of their childhood and young adult years. That’s something I didn’t have growing up, and it means so much to be able to give that to them. My hope for the broader community is that Hillcrest continues to raise up the next generation of Christ followers, kids who know the love of Jesus and carry that light into a world that needs it more than ever.