Welcome Jane and Amanda!
In May 2021 we announced a search for a new director of children’s ministry. A search committee was formed that represented each area of the ministry (nursery, younger kids, older kids), and through the process of resume collection and interviews, God answered our prayers in a fantastic way. The session has recently approved two new (part-time) hires, both of whom are familiar faces to River Oaks. They will begin in a few weeks, so stay tuned for more details as they ramp up to their new roles as part of our Family Ministry (led by Joel Trigger).
Director of Children’s Ministry
Jane O’Dowd will become the new Director of Children’s Ministry and Office manager. She and her husband Ross (and children Claire and Colin) began worshiping at ROC about a decade ago and have served in a variety of capacities at the church. Jane holds a B.S. in Communications from Florida State University and has worked as a teacher at The Master’s Academy (Oviedo) and project manager at Global-5 Communications. She has also served as a troop leader in the Girl Scouts of America and a parent/teacher at both Circle Christian School and Northland Co-Op.
Here’s a snapshot of her heart for children’s ministry:
Children are such a special and important part of the church body! Children’s ministry is a place for the church body to come together to provide a Christian worldview through lessons and activities. It also provides a place for children to interact with peers learning the same biblical truths. While Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and salvation isn’t dependent upon the children’s ministry, it makes the race our children are running much better with friends who are also racing toward God! Last, but certainly not least, the children’s ministry program is a way for church members to develop deeper relationships with other members of the body of Christ.
Jane’s role will focus on developing and executing the overall vision for the children’s ministry (as part of the bigger family ministry picture), with a particular focus on team equipping and programs. She will also serve in various office-related capacities.
Children’s Ministry Associate
Amanda Knowles will become the new Children’s Ministry Associate. Amanda and her husband David (and children Abigail, Josiah, and Annalise) joined ROC earlier this year and have been a part of serving in children’s ministry and a community group. Amanda has run her own business focusing on guiding parents in nutritional therapy, teaches her children in a homeschool context, and has previously held various roles in the hospitality industry. They moved to Orlando from Nebraska in order for David to begin studies at Reformed Theological Seminary.
Here’s a snapshot of her heart for children’s ministry:
Jesus himself had a heart for children; this is enough reason for it to be crucial in church life. He desired to teach, love, and even went so far as to tell others to have faith like children! Children’s ministries need extra compassion and love. Dealing with sinners is hard; dealing with sinners learning to navigate basic life skills is even harder! They need to be guided with love and understanding through the challenges and questions that arise as they grow. Children’s ministry has a unique opportunity to shape the future of the child and the future world. We must make it an essential priority to teach them foundational truths to build on later in life. The church must also focus on equipping the parents/guardians, because they are the primary teachers at home.
Amanda’s role (working with Jane and Joel) will focus particularly on Sunday morning ministry “operations” (curriculum, teacher scheduling, check-ins, lesson prep/snacks/etc.).
Special thanks to the search committee for their diligent labors: Dr. Kim Bougoulias, Paul Fulbright, Courtney Horner, Joel Trigger, and Greg Lanier.
