Speakers:

Matt Beham is the Assistant Pastor of Youth and Children’s Ministries at Redeemer. He joined Redeemer Presbyterian Church as a Youth Intern. Three years later, Matt began taking classes at Redeemer Seminary in Austin, and was ordained and installed in February 2016. Matt believes that Youth ministry is deeply important because our students are growing up very quickly, and they are in need of a guide, versed in the Word of God to help them navigate the difficult waters of adolescence. He is married to his wife Haley of twelve years and they have two children, Elliotte and Graham.

Bethany Belue works for the PCA Committee on Discipleship Ministries as the Established and Certification Coordinator. Before coming to CDM, she worked in Children’s Ministry for 9 years at 2 large PCA churches as the Children’s Director, Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City and Oak Mountain Presbyterian in Birmingham. She currently lives in Mobile, AL with her husband Dustin.

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, Pennsylvania 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 With The Gospelin 2016 as Associate Director, Congregational Ministry. Kristen and her husband, Keith, have two children and live in Havertown, a suburb of Philadelphia.

Melanie Hsieh is the Director of Children’s Ministries at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, San Antonio.  She has a passion for children and helping them to develop a deeper understanding of the gospel.  Prior to God’s calling her to children’s ministry at Redeemer, she worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner before homeschooling her three children.  She is married to her husband David of 16 years who serves in the USAF and they have three daughters.

Sue Jakes is mother of four, grandmother of 11, and lives in Atlanta, GA where she serves as Children’s Ministry Coordinator for the PCA’s Committee on Discipleship Ministries. 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. 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.

Dr. John C. Kwasny is the Director of Discipleship Ministries at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He is a Biblical counselor, an adjunct professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, and Director of One Story Ministries—authoring a complete discipleship curriculum for the church, home, and school (children and youth). John has written several books, including Established in the Faith, Suffering in 3-D, and Pursuing a Heart of Wisdom: Counseling Teenagers Biblically. He and his wife, Martie, have eight children, three sons-in-law, and one grandson.

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. 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.

Tony Souder is the Founder of the Pray for Me Campaign and Executive Director of the Chattanooga Youth Network, a ministry dedicated to helping churches flourish in bringing the greatness of God to the next generation. For over 24 years he has connected, coached and cared for youth ministry leaders across denominational and racial lines around the Southeast. He is author of the Pray for Me Prayer Guides, which have been translated into both Spanish and Chinese. Tony and his wife Rhonda have been married since 1985. They have twin adult daughters and live in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Workshops #1

• Teach Me the Truth (B.A. Snider) – How do we train our children to see all of life through the framework of scripture? Can we begin at an early age to instill in them a true Biblical world and life view?
• Teach Me to Pray (Tony Souder) – 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.
• 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. (Teachers and parents of all ages)
• Talk to My Parents: Parenting with only the Gospel for Help (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. (Parents and grandparents)
• Calming their Fearful Hearts: Dealing with Childhood Anxiety Biblically (John Kwasny) – Anxiety is currently thought to be the number one mental/emotional problem experienced by our children and youth–and that was before Covid-19 changed our world! So, it is vital that we train our parents to understand and respond to this disorder of the heart and mind from a Christ-centered and Gospel-driven mindset. This workshop is intended to help parents and ministry leaders help their children deal with their fearful hearts Biblically.

Workshops #2

• Teach Me to Worship (Sue Jakes) – God calls us to worship Him in all that we do. How do we include children in that practice both at home and at church? What are practical ways the church can train children for worship while equipping parents to lead family worship in their homes. (Parents of young children – older youth)
• Teach My Heart (Bethany Belue) – As we teach the Word to our children, are we aiming for a change in behavior or a change of heart? All our teaching must be redemptive as we open the scriptures to point them to Jesus. (Teachers, parents and grandparents)
• From Diapers to Diplomas – Have a Plan! (BA Snider) – A scope and sequence for what, why and when to teach Bible, theology, Christian living is a great idea for a successful next generation discipleship ministry. (Parents and Teachers of all ages)
• Social Media and Technology: Understanding our children’s world (Matt Beham) – Media is saturating our world and affecting our brains and actions. What are some God-honoring ways of moving forward in a digital world? How does the story of God’s grace help us find ways to understand our children as they relate to this world of technology, and how can we challenge them to walk in truth with the gospel?
• Calming their Fearful Hearts: Dealing with Childhood Anxiety Biblically (John Kwasny) – Anxiety is currently thought to be the number one mental/emotional problem experienced by our children and youth–and that was before Covid-19 changed our world! So, it is vital that we train our parents to understand and respond to this disorder of the heart and mind from a Christ-centered and Gospel-driven mindset. This workshop is intended to help parents and ministry leaders help their children deal with their fearful hearts Biblically.

Workshops #3

• Talk to Me (Tony Souder) – Our children and youth need wise counsel as they face today’s culture. How do parents begin good conversations with them? What guidance can we give as we direct them though life’s difficult maze? (Parents and grandparents of all-aged children)
• Children and the Covenant of Grace (Sue Jakes) – As the people of God, we have a way of life defined by God’s Word that is not like any other “people group” on the planet. How do we model this for our children, leading them to live a life of response to God’s?
• Reach the Community through Your Children (Bethany Belue) – Children’s ministry can be one of the most strategic and effective ways for 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.
• 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. (All interested members of the congregation)
• Catechizing our Children: Helping to develop a biblical vocabulary (Melanie Hsieh) – Teaching our children doctrine is vital to their Godliness. Do you want to convey truth, theology and doctrine to the next generation? We can do this in a fun and engaging way!

Location: San Antonio, TX

Redeemer Presbyterian Church

903 N. St. Mary’s Street

San Antonio, TX 78215

210-930-4480

Redeemersa.org

Conference Schedule: San Antonio, TX

Friday, September 25

3:00-6:00 pm – ESTABLISHED: Children’s Ministry 101  – Sue Jakes and Bethany Belue

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.

3:00-6:00 pm – Individual Appointments Register for a one-hour appointment with:

• Kristen Harnly – Engaging Disability With The Gospel
• Stephen Estock – CDM Coordinator
• B.A. Snider – Great Commission Publications
• John Kwasny – Director of Discipleship Ministries at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church

Browse Bookstore and Exhibits

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

“Psalm 78 – The Great Value of Ministry to Children” – Matthew Beham, Assistant Pastor of Youth and Children, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, San Antonio

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

Saturday, September 26

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, September 25

CM 101 Children’s Ministry Training – Friday 3-6 pm. – Additional cost is $15/person – Sue Jakes and Bethany Belue

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.

• Kristen Harnly, Engaging Disability With The Gospel
• Stephen Estock, CDM Coordinator
• B.A. Snider, Great Commission Publications

Hotel:

Hotel Indigo San Antonio Riverwalk

830 N. St. Marys, San Antonio, TX 78205

Thank you for selecting the Hotel Indigo Riverwalk to host the overnight accommodations for your Reedemer Presbyterian Church event scheduled from September 25^th , 2020 to September 26^th , 2020.

As an added benefit for selecting our hotel, we are pleased to offer you a convenient electronic booking (e-booking) link to share with your guests. Clicking on the link will take you to the hotel’s reservation web page. Simply click on the Book Now! button. You will then have to enter in the group dates and click Book. Your guests will enjoy the convenience of confirming their room reservations online, at the group-negotiated rate – 24 hours a day. Click here to receive your personalized e-booking link to include in your electronic or print communications.

If you or your attendees wish to extend your stay outside of these dates, you will need to book a separate reservation on the website or contact us directly at Hotel Indigo Riverwalk (210) 527-1900.

Please advise your guests to make their reservations as soon as possible. The rate will be valid as long as we have rooms available, up to and including September 25^th  , 2020.

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