2 /5 Eric Maina: I visited Shoreline Church in early February 2025 with high hopes. The church has a diverse community, engaging preaching, and a fun kids play area with a slide. I really wanted to like it. But my experience with the kids service was disappointing enough that it became my first and last visit.
The first thing you notice when you enter the child care center is the sound of crying children. That alone isn’t necessarily a red flag—kids take time to adjust—but what stood out was the lack of adult intervention. When I picked up my 3-year-old, I found out he had been crying for over an hour and he rarely cries especially for such a long time. Despite providing my contact information, no one reached out. That was concerning.
The kids’ area seemed to be run mostly by older kids, which isn’t necessarily a problem if there is proper supervision or if they are trained to handle upset children. But it was clear that wasn’t the case. Meanwhile, there were plenty of adults at the church entrance, welcoming newcomers, guiding them through sign-ups, and making sure the visitor experience was smooth—an efficient church funnel. But why not place more of those adults in the child care center, preferably ones who actually enjoy working with kids?
After my visit, Jonathan from Shoreline Family Ministries reached out, and I shared my concerns. He assured me he would look into it and follow up. That was back in early February. As of writing this, I have heard nothing. It’s clear they don’t take these concerns seriously. The initial outreach was just a formality—an effort to win over newcomers, not to genuinely address feedback.
This was disappointing because the church has potential. It offers many activities and a welcoming environment. But when a church’s child care service fails at the most basic level—ensuring kids feel safe and cared for—it’s a deal-breaker.
