Children and young people are part of the church family at Harlesden Baptist Church — not visitors in the corner. Our heart is to see them meet the Lord Jesus Christ, hear the Scriptures explained at a level that fits where they are, build real friendships in a safe place, and grow into men and women of faith.
⛪Sunday mornings — children in the service
Children of all ages are welcome in the main service from 11:00 am. After the opening songs and prayers, the younger children leave for age-appropriate groups taught by our Sunday School team, and return to the congregation in time for the closing prayers and benediction with their parents.
If you are visiting with very young children, the stewards on the door will quietly point you to where the youngest are cared for. You are welcome to stay with your child throughout the service if you prefer — there is no expectation that babies and toddlers must be left in a separate room.
🎒Older children and teens
Older children, teenagers and young adults have their own gatherings — for Bible study, for fellowship, for service and for fun. The specific days, times and contact details for the current programme are best confirmed by speaking to the Pastor or to a member of the Diaconate, since the schedule is adjusted from term to term around what works for the young people involved and around school and exam seasons.
The shape of these gatherings will be familiar to anyone who has been part of a healthy youth ministry: open Bible study, prayer for one another, a meal, conversation about the kind of questions that come up at school and online, and time given to friendships.
🙏What we are praying for our young people
Our heart is to see the children and young people of HBC fall in love with Scripture, develop deep prayer lives, build real friendships with one another, and learn to think Christianly about everything they meet — at school, at home, online, and in the wider community. Discipleship happens around the meal table and on the football pitch as well as around the open Bible. We invest in our young people because they are not the church of tomorrow; they are part of the church today.
Safeguarding
Harlesden Baptist Church is committed to ensuring our church is a safe place for children, young people and adults at risk. We follow the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB).
Members of our team working with children complete the BUGB Excellence in Safeguarding training programme (Levels 1, 2 and 3), and Enhanced DBS checks are required for all eligible roles, processed through the BUGB / DDC framework.
Our Safeguarding Lead is John Mobolaji Giwa. Concerns can be raised in confidence through the Church Office on 0208 965 7695.
For independent advice, the London Baptist Association Safeguarding Lead can be reached on 020 7692 5592. In an emergency, contact the police on 999 or the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.
👋Coming along for the first time
If you would like your child or young person to come along, the simplest first step is to come together to a Sunday service. The children join the service with you, and the stewards or a member of the Diaconate will introduce you to the relevant team. Parents are warmly encouraged to ask any questions you have about the programme, the people who lead it, or our safeguarding practices before, during or after the visit.
Questions before you visit?
The church office phone (0208 965 7695) is the most reliable way to reach us, and after a Sunday service the Pastor and the Diaconate are usually available for a brief conversation. You can also see our Visitor Information page for what to expect on a first visit, or our FAQs for answers to common questions.