KidStep
Our mission is “Joining Children on their Spiritual Journey.” The purpose of KidStep is to intentionally focus on ways we can help children spend time with Jesus on their own and experience God’s love so that we can help children from birth through fifth grade take next steps of faith.
You can find a link to our August calendar below. The calendar has a schedule of what children are learning in KidStep and a calendar of reading and activities for the month. Hard copies are available on the Resource Wall by KidStep check in.
What to Expect
Sundays | 9 or 10:30 AM
At KidStep, Sunday mornings are full of fun, faith, and friendship. Your children will enjoy engaging Bible teaching, energetic singing, and small group time designed just for them—all in a safe, age-appropriate environment. We’re excited to welcome your family into a space where kids can grow spiritually, socially, mentally, and physically (Luke 2:52).
KidStep is a ministry that joins children on their spiritual journey through the gifts and abilities of dedicated volunteers and partners with parents to help each child thrive in every area of life. Our secure check-in and check-out process ensures your peace of mind, and our team is happy to answer any questions—just look for the check-in stations when you arrive!
We can’t wait to walk alongside your family as your child grows in faith and love!
Disability Voluntary Disclosure
Our desire at Hershey Free is that every child experiences a sense of belonging. We recognize that there are times when extra support may be helpful in making this a reality. In light of this, if your child has a disability or accommodation request that you would like to make us aware of, please complete the form below.
For Parents
KidStep Parent Connect | Sundays | 9 AM | T-Wing: Room 304
Each Sunday at 9 AM, parents of children who attend KidStep have the opportunity to connect for Bible study and fellowship at KidStep Parent Connect. What a joy it is to meet together as parents of children who are in KidStep! We share so many of the same joys, as well as challenges, as we seek to lead our children to know and love Jesus better. We are currently working through The Familiar Stranger by Tyler Stanton.
Moms Connect | 2nd & 4th Wednesday | 9:30 AM | Auditorium
Moms Connect meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM in the auditorium. Moms Connect Registration is currently closed. Please reach out to Kara Lahr to be added to the waiting list. Kara’s email is kara.tilghman@gmail.com.
Holiday Sundays
On Holiday Sundays, we encourage families to take the opportunity to worship together. We know this might not be possible for every holiday or for each family, so we will offer nursery and one combined preschool classroom.
- The next holiday Sunday is November 29.
**Volunteer Opportunities**
Do you love seeing kids grow in their faith, ask big questions, and light up with joy? Our Children’s Ministry is growing, and we need more caring, dependable volunteers to come alongside our kids on Sunday mornings. Whether you enjoy telling stories, leading small groups, helping with crafts, or just offering a warm smile and helping hands, there’s a place for you here! No teaching experience needed—just a heart to serve. Be a part of something meaningful and help shape the next generation! If you’d like more information, please fill out the form below.
Child Dedication
Child Dedication is an integral part of the life of Hershey Free Church. We value our partnership with parents in joining their children on their spiritual journey. We offer multiple opportunities for child dedication each year: Mother's Day, Father's Day, and a date in October to be determined. Our child dedication process consists of a required class for the parents held prior to the dedication ceremony. The spring class will be held April 18, 2027 at 9 AM. If you would like to plan on having your child(ren) dedicated, please complete the form below. We are so grateful to be given the privilege to partner with you in discipling your family!
For Kids
KidStep Offering Opportunity | We are currently supporting Roger and Fredine Derpilus, Haitian missionaries who live and work in Senegal. Roger started The Shepherd’s Farm, a poultry farm that he hopes to use to train missionaries and church planters in both ministry and egg production. Funds are going towards a pump, pipes, a generator, and solar panels to complete the well project.
Operation Christmas Child | October 25 - November 22
Our church will be partnering with Samaritan’s Purse to bless children worldwide. Each shoebox packed with toys, school supplies, and other essentials is more than a gift - it’s a message of hope and a chance for children to hear the gospel. Through Operation Christmas Child, children globally receive gifts and are introduced to the greatest gift of all - salvation in Jesus Christ. Pick up a box in the KidStep lobby and return it by November 22.
Hershey Free Directory | CCB Profile Update
Did you know that you have a CCB (Church Community Builder) profile in the Hershey Free Directory? We often refer to the online directory as CCB, which is the tool used to maintain personal information, communicate with members, and give securely online. From time to time, there can be mistakes when promoting kiddos to the next grade level or errors at check in. Because of this, we would appreciate it if you would log in to check and/or update your information (grade level, allergy info, email address, etc.).
If you don't have a username or password for Hershey Free Online, select the ‘Request Account' option located to the left below the LOGIN box. This will open a form requesting information to confirm your request for a login.
The FIRST time you log in:
- Click the circle (or your picture) in the upper right-hand corner of the Hershey Free Church banner to open your profile.
- Click the 'EDIT’ button. Verify that the information listed about you is correct. Update as necessary. Click Save.
- Click the button on the upper right-hand side of the Hershey Free Church banner to LOGOUT.
Hilltop Christian Nursery School
Since 1979, Hilltop Christian Nursery School, a ministry of the Hershey Free Church, has been welcoming children to learn, to have fun, and to grow in their knowledge of Jesus. We invite your family to join the Hilltop family as we work together to create a learning environment tailored to the age and developmental stages of our students. We believe a child is a total person, designed by God to be well-rounded and maturing in every dimension.
We believe that the experience of each child should be consistent with his or her individual stage of development and, therefore, learning should be achieved in a way that is comfortable and natural for him or her. This can be reinforced with Godly principles through daily experiences.
Hilltop Christian Nursery School serves children ages 3, 4, and 5. Children should reach the classroom age as of October 1st of the admission year.