Speakers:

Ashley Belknap serves as the Director of Engaging Disability (the Special Needs Ministry of the PCA). A gifted communicator with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary, Ashley has the ability to tackle challenging issues with creative and practical ministry applications. She served for four years as Director of Women’s Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson MS, where she led a wide variety of ministry initiatives. As the mother of a son with autism, Ashley has a personal passion to see families touched by disability reached with the good news of the gospel. Ashley and her husband, John, have three children and reside in Brandon, MS. 

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, which trains adults in how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Steve has comprehensive experience training adults and working with organizations in how to prevent the sexual abuse of children. His experience includes developing and implementing child protection policies. I have expertise in how communities can create child protection initiatives that can train enough adults in that community that the culture of the community is changed and becomes a safer place to raise children.

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.

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.

WORKSHOPS – SESSION #1

• Birds and the Bees (Mary Flo Ridley) – Learn a time-tested strategy for teaching young children about the “birds and the bees” before the culture does it for you. Parents will be equipped with a simple plan for talking with their children about the beauty of God’s design for sex and become more confident in answering the big questions.
• 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.
• Gospel Centered Parenting (Stephen Estock) – A deeper understanding of the freedom and power found in the gospel shapes the way parents raise their children in the Lord. This workshop explores how the good news of what Christ has done (and IS doing in the lives of parents and children) gives you freedom from the chains of parenting according to the shifting sands of contemporary culture. We will consider principles that you can convey as you interact with parents in your congregation.
• Infusing Gospel Hope through Intergenerational Relationships in the Church (Mary Elizabeth Haynes) – God has made the Church multi-generational so that His goodness and glory can be seen, savored, and shared from one generation to another. We need each other and yet, no church is immune to intergenerational disconnectedness. Creating life-giving intergenerational relationships in the church is essential for every generation to flourish in faith and life. This seminar will provide practical and proven ways to connect the generations in your church.
• Ministry To and Through our Big Kids (Austin Ariail) – How do we train and empower our children to serve from the beginning? How do we use our “big kids” to invest in our youngest children?  We will discuss big picture vision as well as practical ideas.
• Special Needs: Ministering to the Whole Family (Kristen Harnly) – Families touched by disability experience unique challenges and opportunities. We will examine these as we explore ways to foster spiritual, emotional, and relational growth for the child. We will also focus on ways to help parents and siblings be able to worship and grow through various ministries of the church. We often think of ministry to the family as primarily about meeting their needs. We’ll look not only at how families living with disability need the church, but also how the church needs them.

WORKSHOPS – SESSION #2

• Coming Alongside Parents: Connecting the Home and the Church (Sue Jakes) – What are the best methods of encouraging and equipping your families in their discipleship journeys? How is communication working both ways, uniting home and church? This workshop will talk about the importance of healthy communication between home and church as well as practical tips!
• Discipleship for Kids with Disabilities (Kristen Harnly) – We have a common goal for all of our kids – that they know and love God and flourish in the community of the church. In this workshop, we will consider ways to facilitate participation and growth in the church for kids who have disabilities. Topics will include communication with families, understanding the spectrum of inclusion, tips for using peer or adult buddies, and curriculum adaptation.
• Nursery from A to Z: 6 Must Haves for the ChurchNursery (BA Snider) – A thriving nursery is an important part of children’s ministry. Come learn about the essential elements for establishing a great nursery from infants to 3-year-olds. We’ll also consider strategies for adapting as your ministry changes and grows.
• Recruiting, Training, and Retaining 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? This workshop will talk through big picture ideas as well as practical tips to help you in your ministry
• Teach Me To Pray (Candace Hilton) – Children learn to pray by example and participation. How can we effectively help them in praise, thanksgiving, confession, and intercession for themselves and others? We will look at a simple method that you and your children will enjoy.
• Thinking Outside the Curriculum Box (Kaye Jordan) – Buying the perfect curriculum for your church’s needs can make you feel like a step sister trying to cram your foot into the glass slipper! This seminar will encourage you to exercise your creative mind and theological muscles to design a curriculum that better fits your church’s needs.

WORKSHOPS – SESSION #3

• Birds and the Bees (Mary Flo Ridley) – Learn a time-tested strategy for teaching young children about the “birds and the bees” before the culture does it for you. Parents will be equipped with a simple plan for talking with their children about the beauty of God’s design for sex and become more confident in answering the big questions.
• Building or Rebuilding Your Children’s Ministry (Austin Ariail) – Whether building your church’s ministry from the ground up or strengthening an existing children’s ministry, what are the first steps and the most important aspects to be considered? This workshop will discuss essential elements of building a growing and fruitful Children’s Ministry.
• Church, My Happy Place (Kaye Jordan) – “Let the children come” were Jesus’ words to the disciples who were trying to send the little ones away. How is your children’s ministry blessing and encouraging all the children to participate in every element of church community?
• Nursery Age Appropriate Discipleship (Bethany Belue) – Teachingin the nursery is sometimes the last thing on our minds. However, at the age where our children are learning faster than at any other time in life, we should be introducing them to Jesus. This workshop will talk about why we should be discipling children from a young age, but also specific ways to teach children from the time they enter the nursery ministry.
• Training Children in Worship (Sue Jakes) – God calls us to worship Him in all that we do. How do we include covenant children in that practice both at home and at church? How do we help them become worshippers in Spirit and in Truth? While parents are the primary spiritual leaders for their children, they often feel lost or defeated in leading their children. What are practical ways the church can train children for worship and also equip and empower parents to lead family worship and disciple children in their homes?
• Vacation Bible School (Barrett Ball, Claire Baker, and Heather Squibb) – This workshop will be all things VBS! We will discuss writing your own curriculum, customizing your program for your church’s size and budget, formulating a plan for outreach, and including multi-generations in your community. Come hear how you can easily develop a week-long program that can impact everyone in your church and neighborhood for the whole year.

Location: Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Presbyterian Church

6251 Oakmont Trail, Fort Worth, TX

(817) 731-3300

Conference Schedule: Fort Worth, TX

Friday, February 1, 2019

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

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:

• Kristen Harnly – Engaging Disability with the Gospel
• 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” – Dr. Stephen Estock, CDM’s Coordinator of Discipleship Ministries

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

Saturday, February 2, 2019

8:00-8:30 am – Continental Breakfast

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

“Psalm 78: 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 and Panel Discussion

1:15-2:15 pm – Workshop Session #3

2:30-3:00 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, February 1, 2019

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:

Some suggested hotels in the area:

Media Kit:

Conference Promotional Materials are available.