Speakers:

Jim Baxter is the Senior Pastor at New Hope PCA. He has been connected with New Hope since it was begun in 1978.  Jim has the privilege of preaching and teaching on a weekly basis at the church that was begun by his father and where he first saw the love of Christ being lived out in the local church. Jim lives in Olathe with his wife and four children.

Bethany Belue graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in early childhood education. She has served on staff with 2 large PCA churches as the Children’s Director, Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City and Oak Mountain Presbyterian in Birmingham.  She currently works at CDM as the Executive Assistant to Stephen Estock and Certification Administrator.  She lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Dustin.

Steve Collins is the Founder and Executive Director of Adults Protecting Children, a non-profit organization that teaches adults and organizations how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Adults Protecting Children has over 12 years experience in helping churches write and implement child protection policies. Steve has been a presenter at CDM conferences for over 4 years.

Stephen Estock is Coordinator for the PCA Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM). A former USAF officer, he has been in pastoral ministry for 20 years, serving churches in Montgomery, AL and St. Louis, MO. Stephen has also been an adjunct professor at Birmingham Theological and Covenant Theological Seminaries. His Ph.D. is in education, with an emphasis on competency-based learning and leadership training. He and his wife, Susan, have three children and live in Atlanta, GA.

Sue Jakes is mother of four, grandmother of eight, and lives in Atlanta, GA where she serves as Children’s Ministry Coordinator for the Presbyterian Church in America’s Committee on Discipleship Ministries. She is also a teacher trainer and consultant for Great Commission Publications and the PCA’s Special Needs Ministry. She has served as director of children’s ministry at Covenant PCA in Fayetteville, GA and is now serving as children’s director at Westminster PCA in Atlanta.  Sue received a Masters Degree in Education from West Georgia College, taught in the public schools for seven years and home-schooled for twenty-two years.  She has been teaching children, youth, and women’s groups in the church for over thirty-five years. Sue is co‑author of “Heart of the Home”, a Bible Study ministry for moms and Teach Me To Worship, CDM’s children’s church online curriculum.

Anna Johnson‘s love for children and her desire to assist parents as they raise their children in the Lord has led to her involvement in children’s ministry for over twenty years. Anna taught in the classroom for 16 years before the Lord called her to begin working in the church. She has a master’s degree in Education from Covenant College as well as degrees in elementary and early childhood education. Anna desires for children to learn God’s Word, to love God’s Word, and to live God’s Word – all in a nurturing and grace-filled environment. Anna’s husband Jack has recently retired from the United States Air Force, and they have one daughter, Emma Grace.

B.A. Snider has more than 20 years’ experience as a children’s director in PCA churches ranging in size from 200 to 4,000 but finds her passion is the same no matter how many children she’s serving. Show the children Jesus. B.A. began her formal ministry as a children’s director and consultant in 1993, but she has taught and led music for children since she was in junior high school. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee and taught college until the Lord called her to seminary and full-time ministry. She graduated with a master’s degree in Christian Education from Columbia International University. Speaking at conferences, consulting with leadership, and training teachers brought her to Great Commission Publications in 2014 as the Children’s Ministry Consultant and Marketing Director.

Joel Wallace is Associate Director of Engaging Disability with the Gospel, a ministry of Mission to North America (MNA) of the PCA. He served with Campus Outreach in the U.S. and overseas for 20 years. In 2006, Joel became director of Special Connections, the disability ministry of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. He has been with Engaging Disability since 2011.

WORKSHOPS – SESSION #1

• All Together: Teaching the Bible to Children of All Abilities (Joel Wallace) – We want all our children to learn God’s Word and grow in their understanding of who God is and what He has done for us through the gospel. Children with special needs often learn very differently than their peers. How can teachers simultaneously address a wide range of learning needs in the classroom? And without spending hours prepping? This workshop will focus on strategies to adapt and teach the Bible to students of all levels of ability without “dumbing down” content and compromising what our children need most: God’s Word.
• Child Sexual Abuse in the Church: Its Prevalence and Prevention (Steve Collins) – We will look at the prevalence of child sexual abuse in the church and what steps can be taken to protect children. Participants will receive valuable resources that will help in writing and implementing child protection policies and procedures.
• Curriculum with a Scope and Sequence: From Diapers to Diplomas (B.A. Snider) – A discussion of the importance of scope and sequence not just in Sunday school but all through your children’s ministry, church and home.
• Gospel Centered Parenting (Stephen Estock) – Training the parents in our churches to raise up their children in the Lord may take a different turn if we truly understand the gospel and its power in our lives.
• Recruiting, Training, and Retaining Ministry Volunteers (Bethany Belue) – Volunteers are an essential part of a children’s ministry, but how do we effectively recruit, train and retain our church members to be a part of investing in the next generation of our church body?

WORKSHOPS – SESSION #2

• Child Sexual Abuse in the Church: Its Prevalence and Prevention (Steve Collins) – We will look at the prevalence of child sexual abuse in the church and what steps can be taken to protect children. Participants will receive valuable resources that will help in writing and implementing child protection policies and procedures.
• Choosing Curriculum (Anna Johnson) – There are lots of curriculums out there today, but what curriculum is the best one for your church? This workshop will focus on asking the right questions to lead you to curriculum that works best in each of your ministry’s programs.
• Our Theology Makes a Difference (Stephen Estock/Sue Jakes) – Let’s compare a typical children’s ministry to one that is purposefully reformed and covenantal.
• Nursery from A to Z: 6 Must Haves for the Church Nursery (B.A. Snider) – A workshop for creating and sustaining a great nursery from infants to 3-year-olds.
• Special Events and Outreach: How to Reach the Community through your Children’s Ministry (Bethany Belue) – The children’s Ministry can be one of the most strategic and effective ways in your church to reach the community, but how do we do it? Join us for a time of tips and discussion as we think about developing a well-rounded outward-faced children’s ministry through our Sunday programs and special events.  

WORKSHOPS – SESSION #3

• Discipleship, Disability, and a Gospel-Centered Understanding of Behavior (Joel Wallace) – Our goal in Children’s Ministry is the effective discipleship of all our children. How is discipleship in kids with special needs different and the same as in others? Some children with disabilities (and some without) often exhibit challenging behavior. What part does disability play in their actions or does it? How can we understand their behaviors, and what do you do when you encounter these challenges at church? In this workshop, we will examine behavior through the lens of the gospel and discuss methods of implementing positive behavior strategies and supports that enhance the discipleship of all our children.
• How to Give the Gospel to Children (Bethany Belue) – As we teach children, there is great importance in teaching belief versus behavior. This workshop will look at how we do that and how we can point children to Jesus through every Bible Story.
• Personal Growth (Stephen Estock) – Before you can pour into others, you must first be filled up, but often times the grind of ministry can leave us running on empty. How do you make your own walk with Christ a priority?
• Starting from Scratch (B.A. Snider/Sue Jakes) – Building your church’s children’s ministry from the ground up, what are the first steps and the most important parts to be considered?
• Training Children in Worship (Anna Johnson) – Parents and the church are given the Biblical mandate to worship God.  How are we including our covenant children in that practice at home and at church?  Are they truly becoming worshippers in Spirit and in Truth?

Location: Olathe, KS

New Hope PCA Church

13310 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS 66062

913-782-7325

Conference Schedule: OLATHE, KS

Friday, September 21, 2018

2:00-5:00 pm – ESTABLISHED: Children’s Ministry 101 (Sue Jakes and Anna Johnson)

Spend the afternoon reviewing the new book by this title, unpacking all the basics of beginning, developing and sustaining ministry to children in your local congregation.

2:00-6:00 pm – Individual Appointments Register for a one-hour appointment with:

• Joel Wallace – Engaging Disability
• Steve Collins – Child Safety Policy Consultant – He will evaluate your church’s present policy and advise on suggested improvements.
• Stephen Estock – CDM Coordinator
• B.A. Snider – Great Commission Publications

Browse Bookstore and Exhibits

6:30-8:30 pm – Dinner and Opening Session

“Psalm 78 – The Great Value of Ministry to Children” (Rev. Jim Baxter, Senior Pastor at New Hope Presbyterian Church)

8:30-9:30 pm – Visit Exhibits and Bookstore

Saturday, September 22, 2018

8:00-8:30 am – Continental Breakfast

8:45-9:30 am – Introductions, Instructions and A Charge for the Day

“Psalm 78: Established – The Great Hope that is Ours” (Sue Jakes, CDM’s Children’s Ministry Coordinator)

9:40-10:40 am – Workshop Session #1

10:40-11:00 am – Break

11:00-Noon – Workshop Session #2

Noon – Lunch

12:45-1:45 pm – Workshop Session #3

2:00-2:30 pm – Closing Session

“Psalm 78:  Established – THE Covenant Promise” (Dr. Stephen Estock, CDM’s Coordinator of Discipleship Ministries)

Pre-Conference Optional Training and Appointment Opportunities:

Friday, September 21, 2018

ESTABLISHED, Children’s Ministry 101

Spend the afternoon reviewing the new book by this title, unpacking all the basics of beginning, developing and sustaining ministry to children in your local congregation.

Opportunity for individual meeting with one of our Team Members

Hotels:

Suggested hotels in the area:

Hilton Garden Inn Olathe

Rates range from $124/night to $174 (depending if you are a Hilton Honors member, if you want breakfast included, etc.). Check online for best rates.

Media Kit:

Conference Promotional Materials are available.