Weekly 'Kidz' program brings lessons of the Bible to life
By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers LET THE LIGHT COME DOWN- Kira Hidalgo and daughter Taylor, 2, reach up with "Discovery Kidz" actor Norbert Baldaia toward a shower of bubbles falling from the ceiling at the end of the show at Discovery Church in Simi Valley on Sunday. A family-focused program, Discovery Kidz blends a theater-style performance with traditional service elements such as worship songs and Bible verses.

For 45 minutes every Sunday, youth takes center stage in an upbeat show presented during the 10:15 a.m. worship services at Discovery Church in Simi Valley.

Geared toward elementary-age children and their parents, "Discovery Kidz" teaches values and virtues gleaned from the Bible with the help of flashing lights, booming music and choreographed dancing.

"The whole idea behind (Discovery Kidz) is to create an environment where moms and dads and their children will have a shared experience," said Mike Clear, the family life pastor who produces the show and serves as its emcee. "No one influences the hearts and lives of a child more than a parent. We hope what we talk about in the show will continue at home throughout the week."

The stage presentation is akin to a variety show. Three singers, a dance team of 40 and eight adult actors put on a new show every week.

More than 400 children and parents regularly attend the service- considered the church's family ministry- jumping to their feet and clapping to the energetic performance.

Dori Yenokian from Northridge brings her three young boys to the service each Sunday.

"This is an amazing church. We've been coming here almost a year," she said. "The boys hear God's word in a fun, loving environment."

Five years ago, pastors Todd Clark, Mark McKinney and Mike Clear started Discovery Church and the Discovery Kidz program. Back then, the congregation met at the Edwards Cinema on Los Angeles Avenue.

"When we started this church, we saw that families were basically separated out. Moms and dads (go) to worship and kids (go) to Sunday school," Clear said. "We wondered what it would look like if we created something where they shared lessons and worshiped together."

Clear heard about a program for children developed by a church in Atlanta. Eventually, the pastors decided to follow suit.

"The program had become really successful in their church and thousands of families were coming to see it. They made the curriculum available to other churches across the country," Clear said. "We don't write anything original. That frees up a lot of time. We do some editing to make the material fit into our situation."

As the congregation grew to 850 members, the church moved to its own spacious facility at 580 Easy Street.

With state-of-the-art lighting, sound and two video screens projecting the action, the theater inside the facility rivals a professional stage.

The production crew, made up mostly of high school students, is in charge of the cameras, videos and sound effects.

The brightly painted set is a clubhouse basement where the neighborhood kids in the show hang out. Each week the youngsters have a problem that needs resolution. The skits, based on a different virtue each month, are humorous and good-natured.

"Adult actors play the kids in the skits. The kids are in a situation every week that revolves around a virtue we're learning about," Clear said. "We spend an entire month on one virtue. Each week we tell a Bible story that relates to that virtue."

Simi Valley resident Peggy Owens, a church member for 2½ years, attends the service each Sunday with her son, David, 12, a dancer in the show.

"I love telling kids and parents about God. The dancing is a great thing and I get to have fun with my friends," David said. "Kids should check this out. Even if you don't dance it's a great thing to watch."

Services on Saturday are at 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 9, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. For more information, call (805) 522-1360.