Gateway Kids
Children’s Ministry of Gateway Church in Poulsbo, WA, serving families throughout North Kitsap County
Our mission is simple:
Helping kids take their next steps toward Christ.
We believe children are not just the future of the church—they are the church today. That’s why Gateway Kids invests in kids from birth through 6th grade, creating safe, fun, and faith-filled environments where they can grow in their relationship with Jesus.
A Fun and Safe
Kids Ministry
Gateway Kids is designed to be more than childcare—it is intentional Kids Ministry and Children’s Ministry. Each week, children experience engaging worship, Biblical teaching, kids’ small groups, and hands-on activities that help them understand God’s Word. Our programs make church exciting and meaningful for kids, while also giving parents confidence and peace of mind.
We take safety seriously. Every volunteer is background-checked, trained, and equipped through ongoing leader training. We use a secure check-in process and provide classrooms that are age-appropriate, clean, and welcoming. Gateway Kids is a place where children can laugh, learn, and grow in their faith while being cared for by trusted leaders.
Ministry Environments
Our Kids Ministry includes age-specific environments so every child can learn at their level:
Loving nursery ministry for babies and toddlers, with gentle introductions to God’s love.
Interactive preschool and kindergarten church programs with Bible stories, music, and creative play.
Elementary kids church with live worship, Bible lessons, games, and small groups where kids build friendships and apply what they learn.
Many families still use the term Sunday School, and while Gateway Kids looks a little different from the Sunday School model of the past, our heart remains the same: teaching children God’s Word in ways they can understand and apply.
Midweek Kids Ministry Opportunities
Discipleship doesn’t stop on Sundays. Gateway Kids also offers strong midweek programs
that help kids grow deeper in their faith:
An adventure-based discipleship program for boys focused on teamwork, leadership, and Biblical manhood. Rangers meet every Wednesday night from 6:30–8:00 PM in the Gateway Christian School gym.
A Bible-based discipleship program for girls that combines mentoring, service, and friendship. Girls Ministries also meets Wednesdays from 6:30–8:00 PM in the school gym.
These ministries provide a safe, structured place for kids in Poulsbo and North Kitsap to build character, learn life skills, and grow in Christ.
Partnering with Parents and Families
Gateway Kids believes discipleship happens best when the church and the home partner together. We provide resources and encouragement to equip parents—the primary spiritual leaders of their kids. Families can count on us for support, prayer, and community as they raise their children to follow Jesus. Gateway Church is known as a family-friendly church in Poulsbo, and our Children’s Ministry reflects that heart.
Big Events for Kids and Families
In addition to weekly programs, Gateway Kids is known for exciting annual events that bring families from Poulsbo and North Kitsap together:
Our biggest summer outreach, packed with Bible lessons, games, crafts, music, and fun.
Our biggest summer outreach, packed with Bible lessons, games, crafts, music, and fun.
Our biggest summer outreach, packed with Bible lessons, games, crafts, music, and fun.
A holiday celebration designed especially for families of children with special needs, filled with joy, sensory-friendly activities, and opportunities for families to experience God’s love.
Community favorites such as Easter family activities, fall events, and family nights make Gateway Kids a hub for families looking for Christian kids events in Poulsbo and North Kitsap.
Present Hope
Be Part of our Spiritual Home
Leadership and Vision
Gateway Kids is led by Pastor Shelly Cole, Children’s Pastor at Gateway Church (formerly Gateway Fellowship). Pastor Shelly is passionate about raising up the next generation, equipping volunteers, and creating a vibrant ministry that serves both church families and the wider community.
Our Heart
Gateway Kids exists to provide safe, fun, Christ-centered Kids Ministry where children encounter Jesus, grow in their faith, and become lifelong disciples. Whether you are searching for a nursery ministry, preschool church program, elementary kids church, or family-friendly Children’s Ministry in Poulsbo and North Kitsap, Gateway Kids is here for you.
Leadership and Vision
Gateway Kids is led by Pastor Shelly Cole, Children’s Pastor at Gateway Church (formerly Gateway Fellowship). Pastor Shelly is passionate about raising up the next generation, equipping volunteers, and creating a vibrant ministry that serves both church families and the wider community.
Pastor Shelly
Shelly Cole serves as the Children’s Pastor at Gateway Church. A graduate of Northwest University with a degree in Pastoral Ministries specializing in Kids Ministry, she has spent over 20 years helping kids take their next steps toward Christ. Shelly is passionate about resourcing parents and families, creating spaces where faith can thrive both inside and outside the church. She and her husband, Thomas, love raising their two kids—Titus and Hannah—and you might just catch them mountain biking together on the trails of the Pacific Northwest.
