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.

Kristen Harnly received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Medical College of Georgia (now Georgia Regents University). After moving to Philadelphia, PA she worked as an occupational therapist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and in early intervention. Kristen’s interest in disability ministry began as she served families with young children in the nursery of Tenth Presbyterian. In 2007, she began Tenth’s special needs ministry and served there for nine years. In 2012, Kristen joined Engaging Disability’s team of volunteer Ministry Facilitators. Drawing on her experience there and at the congregational level, Kristen joined the staff of Engaging Disability in 2016 as Associate Director, Congregational Ministry. Kristen and her husband, Keith, have two children and live in Havertown, a suburb of Philadelphia.

Deborah Harrell grew up in Tucson, Ariz., where she developed a love of teaching and a passion for helping children develop deeper understanding of the gospel. She graduated with a bachelor’s in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Arizona. In 1987 she married her husband, Jason. They have a daughter, Sarah.

Deborah has taught for more than 25 years in both public and private schools across the United States. In 2000 Deborah joined a short-term teaching team in Malaga, Spain, to work with Third Culture Kids with Serge. That two-week trip turned out to be a calling to full-time service for Serge.

Since 2001, Deborah has served as the Overseas Educational Advisor for Serge. She supports mission families by partnering with them as they explore the best educational atmosphere for their children. Deborah reviews and evaluates various curricula for homeschool or other educational environments. She provides educational seminars on Third Culture Kids, oversees the Serge child protection policy, and writes curriculum for both children and adults. Deborah is the co-author of What’s Up? Discovering the Gospel, Jesus, and Who You Really Are, a middle school Bible study. She is currently working with other Serge writers on a Bible study for parents. She also is the author of What’s Up curriculum for elementary and middle schoolers and had a part in editing the book Show Them Jesus.

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

• 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.
• Creative storytelling (Jan Bos) – God’s story, found in His Word, is the greatest story ever told! By using everyday objects and activities to tell stories creatively, the gospel will be both bite-size and memorable for kids. Participants will come away with an understanding of the importance of quality storytelling and several ideas to implement in their own context.
• Special Needs: Ministering to the Whole Family (Ashley Belknap) – We will explore ways to foster spiritual, emotional, and relational growth for every 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’ll look not only at how families living with disability need the church, but also how the church needs them.
• Staffing Children’s Ministry: Recruit, Recognize and Retain! (Bethany Belue) – Do you struggle with recruiting volunteers for your ministries to families and children? You are not alone! In this session we will break down the challenges of recruiting and retaining volunteer teams and share creative solutions, suggest ways to recognize service, and offer encouragement for this vital aspect of your ministry.
• Gospel Centered Parenting (Stephen Estock) – Let’s explore 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.
• Raising Sexually Faithful Kids: (Tim Geiger)
• How to Give the Gospel to Children: Getting to the Heart of the Matter (Deborah Harrell) – Recognize the ditches of unbelief we fall into as parents and teachers, the importance of molding belief versus behavior, and how to find Jesus and the Gospel in every Bible Story.

WORKSHOPS – SESSION #2

• Classroom Management: A Gospel-Centered Understanding of Behavior (Ashley Belknap) – At the heart of our discussion will be understanding what behaviors communicate and how we can positively support children with challenging behaviors so that they are better understood, enfolded into the classroom, and as a result, better able to learn the content of Scripture.
• 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.
• Engaging Pre-Schoolers – Leading and loving Pre-Schoolers in worship and play is a crucial piece of Children’s Ministry. This workshop will discuss helpful hints for engaging and discipling our younger church body.
• Explaining LGBTQ and Sexual Identity to your Children (Tim Geiger)
• Infusing Gospel Hope through Intergenerational Relationships in the Church (Mary Elizabeth Haynes) – 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.
• Our Theology Makes a Difference: Why Covenant Theology Changes the Way we Teach (Sue Jakes) – How does Reformed and Covenantal theology define our ministry to children? From foundational principles to basic teaching methods, let’s compare typical children’s ministries to what we should be expecting as we seek to make kingdom disciples.
• Training Children in Worship (Bethany Belue) – 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? What are practical ways the church can train children for worship and equip and empower parents to lead family worship and disciple children in their homes and at church?

WORKSHOPS – SESSION #3

• All Together: Teaching the Bible to Children of all Abilities and Learning Styles (Ashley Belknap) – This workshop will focus on strategies for the whole classroom: how to read and effectively reinforce the Bible story, methods for breaking down content, and ways to stretch attention spans. You will walk away with the tools you need to teach all levels of ability in the same classroom without 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.
• 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? This workshop will talk about the importance of healthy communication between home and church as well as practical tips to help make it happen.
• How to Give the Gospel to Children: Getting to the Heart of the Matter (Deborah Harrell) – Recognize the ditches of unbelief we fall into as parents and teachers, the importance of molding belief versus behavior, and how to find Jesus and the Gospel in every Bible Story.
• Nursery Age Appropriate Discipleship (B.A. Snider) – Teaching in the nursery is sometimes the last thing on our mind. 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.
• Raising Sexually Faithful Kids: (Tim Geiger)
• Soul Care in the Midst of Ministry (Stephen Estock) – You spend hours preparing your kids’ lessons and taking care of details to make the programming run smoothly, but what about your own soul? How do you make your walk with Christ a priority?

Location: Charlotte, NC

Christ Covenant

800 Fullwood Lane, Matthews, NC 28105

(704) 847-3505

Conference Schedule: Charlotte, NC

Friday, March 15, 2019

2:00-5:00 pm – 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.

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

• Ashley Belknap and 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” – Rev. Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor of Christ Covenant

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

Saturday, March 16, 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

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, March 15, 2019

CM 101 Children’s Ministry Training – Friday 2-5 pm. – Additional cost is $10/person

This 3-hour workshop is designed to review the entire CM101 resource book with an emphasis on how to start, develop and maintain a vibrant children’s ministry. Everything from parental support, recruiting and keeping volunteers to teacher training and community outreach will be included. There will be time to ask questions as you are directed to people and resources that will help strengthen your local church’s ministry to children.

Opportunity for individual meeting with one of our Team Members – Sign up for a 1 hour time slot to meet individually (or in a small group with others from your church) with one of these consultants on Friday afternoon. This time is an opportunity for you to ask questions, receive advice, brainstorm ideas, and consult with those who are experts in their field. They are here to help you with your ministry, your role, and your church.  Once you sign up for an appointment  you will receive an email from Bethany Belue 2 weeks in advance to confirm your specific time slot. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity at the Established Conference.

• Ashley Belknap and Kristen Harnly, Engaging Disability with the Gospel
• Steve Collins, Director of Adults Protecting Children
• Stephen Estock, CDM Coordinator
• B.A. Snider, Great Commission Publications

Hotels:

Some suggested hotels in the area:

Media Kit:

Conference Promotional Materials are available.