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  • About Us
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    • History
    • Staff
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    • Location
    • Contact Us
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    • Deacon Family Ministry
    • Family Avenue
      • Family Avenue Events
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      • Wednesday
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      • Date Nights
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      • Parent's Day Out
      • Policies & Forms
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    • Avenue Youth
      • About Us
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      • Wednesday
      • Youth Resources
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      • Student - Love Local
      • Student Event Calendar
      • Super Bowl Party
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      • Stories
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      • UK23
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      • 55+ Ministry
      • Adult Sunday School Classes
      • Women's Ministry
      • Adult Wednesday ColumbusU
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      • Calendar
      • Worship Choir
      • Worship Orchestra
      • Singing Saints Choir
      • Handbells
      • Music Ministry FAQ
      • Media
    • theCENTER
      • theCENTER Staff
      • Health and Fitness
      • Calendar
      • Hoops Huddle
      • Events
      • Day Camp
      • Facility Rental
      • Late Night Kidz
  • En Español
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      • Conocer al Pastor
    • Lo Que Creemos
    • Horarios de Servicio
    • Ora Por Uno
    • Ministerios
      • Columbus U
      • Comida Compartida
    • Contáctenos
  • Missions
    • Adopt a Neighborhood
    • Love Local
      • Love Waco
      • Pack of Hope
      • Pathway Ministries
      • Meals on Wheels
      • Middleman Ministries
      • M.A.D. Hatters
      • Neighbors International
      • Kids Hope USA
      • Columbus En Español
      • Disaster Relief
      • Adults On Mission
      • Operation Christmas Child
    • Love Global
      • Mission Trips
      • Family Legacy
      • About Dénia
      • About Del Rio
      • Host family
      • About Salt Lake City
      • Ukraine Relief
    • Missionaries
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    • Archives
      • Igniting Hope
    • Live Stream
    • ASL Interpretation
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Columbus Kids

  • Our Ministry
  • Volunteer With Us
  • Kids Calendar
  • Sunday
  • Wednesday
  • Monthly Night Out
  • Date Nights
  • Child Development Center
  • Parent's Day Out
  • Policies & Forms
  • Family Avenue

Our Mission Statement

As a ministry, we are committed to partnering with parents and creating a safe environment for kids to experience the love of God and learn the truth of His word so that they take the next step in their faith journey.

Our basic beliefs include:

  • Jesus is our only source of forgiveness for sin - we want kids to know and understand this
  • The Bible is God's voice and message - we want kids to value this
  • The home is the primary tool God uses to teach spiritual truths - we want to support this
  • Kids learn to worship by watching others - we want to provide opportunities for this


 

Columbus Kids Staff

 

Michelle Witt 

Minister to Children and Families

Michelle Witt serves as the Minister to Children and Families at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Tarleton State University and a master’s degree in Family Ministry from Dallas Baptist University. She has over a decade of experience serving in preschool and children’s ministry in a variety of roles.

Michelle has a passion to serve families by equipping parents to disciple their children, sharing the love of Christ with children and families, and teaching children what it means to follow Jesus. She believes that it is never too early to start sharing God’s love and truth with children.

Michelle is the proud wife of Pete Witt, and mom to four beautiful girls. She loves Jesus, coffee, and talking about feelings. Her favorite things to do are go shopping and cook with her daughters, read, and enjoy Sunday afternoon naps on the couch.

michelle.witt@cabcwaco.org
254-752-1655 ext 9312
     
     

 

Kari Behm
Family Avenue Ministry Assistant

Kari Behm has been a member of Columbus Avenue since 2008 and joined the Columbus Avenue staff in 2013.  She grew up in Greenville, Texas, and moved to Waco in 1994 after she married her husband, Greg Behm.  They have three children and three grandchildren.  Kari enjoys listening to audiobooks, watching movies and spending time with her family.


kari.behm@cabcwaco.org
254-752-1655 ext. 9134
     
 

Elizabeth Updegrove
Childcare Team Supervisor

Eilizabeth Updegrove first joined the Columbus Avenue Family as a Preschool Childcare Worker in 2012.  She is the oldest of four daughters and was born and raised in Corsicana, Texas.  Elizabeth received her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Baylor University in 2015 and now works as a Speech Pathologist for Waco ISD.  She has a passion for working with children and serving their families.  In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys riding horses, reading, crafts, being outdoors, and playing with her cat Franklin.

elizabeth.updegrove@cabcwaco.org
     
May be an image of 3 people and people standing  

Sarah Wilder
Children's Ministry Associate.

Sarah Wilder began serving at CABC as the Children’s Ministry Associate in 2022. She is originally from San Antonio,Tx (where she served in Children’s Ministry at her home church) and is now a Sophomore at Baylor studying Elementary Education. She has 3 brothers and the cutest chocolate lab puppy!  She is excited to be here and can’t wait to get to know everyone! Sic ‘Em!

     
 

Amy Patterson
Parent's Day Out Director & Preschool Ministry Associate

Amy has been a member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church since 2009. She joined the PDO staff in 2019 as a teacher and has since become the PDO Director and Preschool Ministry Associate. Amy and her husband, Ryan, have 2 children, Emma and Noah, both graduates of the Columbus PDO program. The Patterson family enjoys cheering on the Baylor Bears!

amy.patterson@cabcwaco.org
(254)752-9000 ext. 9136

 

Ashley Johnson
Child Development Center Director

Ashley was born and raised just west of here in Early, Texas. She grew up on a large show goat operation. Being with her family and involved in the agriculture world has always been important to her. She says, “kids of all kinds are her passion.” Ashley has worked in childcare for over 8 years and has a true passion for it.  She loves the Lord and loves to serve. What better combination could there be for being the Director of the Columbus Avenue CDC? She is excited to feel “back at home” since Waco is home to a lot of her family. She is excited to grow Columbus CDC and Church together, to best serve this awesome community. Above all she thanks the good Lord above for giving her the ability to do what she loves the most.  She is the proud wife of Conner Johnson, a Waco Fireman. They are so excited to join the community and serve it well.

ashley.johnson@cabcwaco.org
254-752-1655 ext 9127

 

Ruth Calero
Child Development Center Assistant Director

Ruth Calero was born in Dénia, Spain in 1979 and she is the youngest of her family. Ruth is the wife, daughter, and sister of a pastor. Apart from her architectural degrees, she also has experience working in preschool, children’s, and youth ministries in Denia's Trinity Baptist Church. Her passion is to serve God. She has been married to David Villarreal since 2009, and they have 3 precious children. Ruth has worked in the Columbus Avenue CDC since 2015 and was promoted in September 2016 to Assistant Director of the CDC.  She likes to cook, craft, and enjoys time with her family.

ruth.calero@cabcwaco.org
(254)752-9000 ext.1924

 

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About Us

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Helpful Links

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Join

In-Person Worship: Sunday 9:00 am + 11:30 am

Live Stream: 9:00 am + 11:30 am

CW12 TV: 11:00 am

Connect

1300 Columbus Avenue
Waco, Texas 76701

254-752-1655

cabcinfo@cabcwaco.org
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