CHILDREN’S MINISTRY FAIR
Children's Ministry Fair (Second Annual)
Fine Arts, Room 101
The second annual Children’s Ministry Fair seeks to promote unity
among children’s ministry leaders, pastors, churches, families, and the
community while meeting the Christian education needs of God’s children. Roanne Gale, pastor of children’s ministries, Hope Community
Church, Andover, Kansas, and Arthur Kelly, coordinator of Christian
education and congregational life for the Kingdom Ministry Team at
Church of God Ministries, host.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Preregistration required: Yes
Fee: $12/person before June 2, includes lunch; $12/person after June 2, does not include lunch
Intended audience: Adult leaders/teachers of children
“Mythbusters,” Showcasing Children Leading in Corporate Worship: Plenary, Opening Session
Fine Arts, Room 101
Children’s Ministry has changed drastically in the last few years. The
church needs to open its eyes, not only to see children, but to see how
they are an integral part of the body of Christ and the church family.
Let’s find out if what we have long believed to be truth is actually what
the Bible says and what children are capable of. Or are there myths
about children’s ministry that need to be busted? Tina Houser, author
and children’s pastor, First Church of God, Kokomo, Indiana, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 8:30 to 9:30 am
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Adult leaders/teachers of children
Children’s Ministry Fair: Registration
Fine Arts Breezeway
This conference is offered to equip children’s ministry leaders and workers with cutting-edge teaching methods to use in their home churches and ministry areas. Roanne Gale, pastor of children’s ministries, Hope Community Church, Andover, Kansas, and Arthur Kelly, coordinator 59 Track Information Children’s Ministry Fair of Christian education and congregational life for the Kingdom Ministry Team at Church of God Ministries, host.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 8:00 to 8:30 am
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Preregistration required: Yes
Fee: $12/person before June 2, includes lunch; 12/person after June 2, does not include lunch
Registration at the door: $10, does not include lunch
Intended audience: Adult leaders/teachers of children
Children's Ministry Fair Lunch
Church of God Ministries Banquet Room
Enter through second door (lower level) on Chestnut Street. Roanne Gale, pastor of children’s ministries, Hope Community Church, Andover, Kansas, and Arthur Kelly, coordinator of Christian education and congregational life for the Kingdom Ministry Team at Church of God Ministries, host.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, Noon to 1:00 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Preregistration required: Yes
Intended audience: Children's ministry leaders
Workshop 1: Exceptional Lives, Exceptional Opportunities
Fine Arts, Room 169
Children with special needs and their families are one of the largest unreached populations in the United States. How can the church support families with special-needs children? Can you identify with families who have children with special needs? What is your church doing? How can we reach and minister effectively to them? If your heart beats for these families, come and find answers. “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me” (Mark 9:37 niv). Samme Rousopoulos, pastor to children and their families, and Hidi Gardner, KidsCrossing ministry director, both from Church at the Crossing, Indianapolis, Indiana, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 9:45 to 10:45 am
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Workshop 1: Happy Campers
Fine Arts, Room 239
Learn how to build a camp for elementary children. You bring the camp, and we will all add some stuffing. These aspects of camping will be addressed: scheduling, activities, resources, program, food service, hospitality, housing, staffing, and training. Jackie Brady, associate pastor, Warsaw Church of God, Warsaw, Indiana, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 9:45 to 10:45 am
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Elementary teachers
Workshop 1: Linking your Spiritual Gifts to Ministry
Fine Arts, Room 250
This workshop is designed to help adult leaders discover their gifts through a gifts-analysis questionnaire. You will better understand your giftedness for serving in ministry by linking it to your passion and personality. As a leader, you will realize the importance of not just filling slots but helping your volunteers understand where they fit in ministry based on how God has shaped them. Judy Hughes, pastor of children’s and family ministries, Dayspring Church of God, Cincinnati, Ohio, lead
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 9:45 to 10:45 am
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Workshop 1: Pre-Teen Ministry that R.O.C.K.S
Fine Arts, Room 168
Preteens are an endangered species, at least when it comes to the church. What does it take to reach and keep kids plugged into the church at this precious and fragile age? Come and learn practical ways to build a preteen ministry from the ground up that will appeal to kids and support parents. Marla Barritt, representative for Gospel Light, and Mark Barritt, former children’s pastor in Peyton, Colorado, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 9:45 to 10:45 am
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Pre-Teen workers and leaders
Workshop 1: PVC…It’s All in the Bag
Fine Arts, Room 267
PVC pipe is not just for plumbing any more! Exciting games and props made with PVC can enhance your ministry and make storage a breeze. This workshop will be repeated Tuesday morning. Gary and Ann Gramlich, co-leaders of the F.U.N. Group in Lake Wales, Florida, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 9:45 to 10:45 am
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Workshop 1: Taking Kids on Missions Trips without Leaving Home
Fine Arts, Room 269
This is an introduction to the Kid’s Place missions curriculum and how it is implemented during North American Convention. You will also learn how it can be used in your local church. We will show you how to help kids develop a heart for missions in the Church of God and how to have VBS with a Church of God emphasis. Michelle Parker, pastor’s wife from Laurel, Mississippi, and Kid’s Place director, and Cheryl Barton, missionary to Japan and Kid’s Place writer and editor, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 9:45 to 10:45 am
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Workshop 1: To-Go Crafts for Preschoolers
Fine Arts, Room 167
Crafts will be demonstrated to show how they go with Bible stories. The purpose of crafts or art is for preschoolers to learn the Bible teaching and apply it to their lives. These crafts are simple, but they help preschoolers to be creative and take home the teaching. You will experience many different creative methods in this session. This workshop is particularly well-suited for those who work with preschool children. This workshop will be repeated Wednesday morning. Sharon Weldon, director, Bullfrogs and Butterflies Preschool, and Pam Howland, children’s pastor, Hope Community Church, Andover, Kansas, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 9:45 to 10:45 am
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Preschool teachers
Workshop 2: A Million Dollar Church on a $100 Budget
Fine Arts, Room 267
Have you ever dreamed of having a million-dollar church program, but you only have $100 in your budget? Then this is the class for you. We will show you how to have the ministry of your dreams, at little or no cost. You will be amazed at the awesome and creative ideas your ministry team will produce using objects around your home or church! This workshop will be repeated Tuesday afternoon. Gary and Ann Gramlich, co-leaders of the F.U.N. Group in Lake Wales, Florida, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 11:00 am to Noon
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Workshop 2: Beakers, Bubbles, and the Bible
Fine Arts, Room 266
Kids are fascinated by science experiments. Learn how to use science experiments to teach biblical truth. Join Dr. Fran Bunsenburner in her laboratory for lessons the kids won’t soon forget. Create a cloud out of Ivory soap and relate it to the small cloud that was the sign from God to Elijah that the drought would soon be over. Send a fountain fifteen feet in the air and talk about how God wants us to have an abundant and overflowing joy. This workshop will be repeated on Monday. Tina Houser, author and children’s pastor, First Church of God, Kokomo, Indiana, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 11:00 am to Noon
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Elementary teachers
Workshop 2: Classroom Management, Discipline and More
Fine Arts, Room 269
Discover tips on classroom management: how to do more to prepare before children come, even before discipline is needed. Discipline helps and hints will also be shared. Suggestions will come from the experience and insight of teachers who have been where you are. Michelle Parker, pastor’s wife from Laurel, Mississippi, and Kid’s Place director, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 11:00 am to Noon
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Preschool and elementary teachers
Workshop 2: First Steps—Discipleship for Babies and Toddlers
Fine Arts, Room 168
Discipleship begins with the first steps a child makes towards Christ, and it begins very early. Babies and toddlers are able to learn that Jesus loves them and to develop a love for stories, songs, and activities that point them to Christ. Marla Barritt, representative for Gospel Light, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 11:00 am to Noon
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Nursery workers
Workshop 2: Grandparents as Parents—What to do, how to do!
Fine Arts, Room 239
Today, more and more grandparents are raising their grandkids. How can this be accomplished? What are the challenges, opportunities, and issues involved in raising grandchildren? This workshop will provide ideas and encouragement to those grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The two presenters are currently involved with a national research project studying grandparents who are raising grandchildren. Jim Kane, pastor, First Church of God, Kendallville, Indiana, and Melodye James, pastor, First Church of God, Ontario, Ohio, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 11:00 am to Noon
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Older adults raising their grandchildren and pastors engaged with families
Workshop 2: Making the Most of the Moments
Fine Arts, Room 169
“Making the Most of the Moments” looks at uniting the various elements of the teaching time. Includes suggestions on how to integrate each part of a class session in a way that increases the transfer of teaching from the classroom into the everyday lives of students. Kathleen Buehler, editor of Bridges children’s curriculum, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 11:00 am to Noon
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Elementary teachers
Workshop 3: Gospel Magic and Other Object Lessons
Fine Arts, Room 267
Simple, easy-to-do magic tricks can make even the beginner look like a pro and apply gospel themes for ministry opportunities. Learn how five-minute messages and object lessons can help you make the most of your moments with children. Gary and Ann Gramlich, co-leaders of the F.U.N. Group in Lake Wales, Florida, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Workshop 3: Laying the Groundwork for Children’s Ministry
Fine Arts, Room 266
Churches often think that starting a children’s ministry simply means putting together a puppet team or providing Bible school, but there’s nitty-gritty work to be done before the programming begins. Laying a solid foundation will give strength and endurance to your ministry and help eliminate potential problems. This workshop will be repeated on Monday. Tina Houser, author and children’s pastor, First Church of God, Kokomo, Indiana, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Workshop 3: Postmodernism and Ministering to Kids Today
Fine Arts, Room 169
Using Ivy Beckwith’s book Postmodern Children’s Ministry as a starting point, this workshop will explore the concept of postmodernism in relation to the church and provide practical application for children’s ministry for today. Samme Rousopoulos, pastor to children and their families, and Hidi Gardner, KidsCrossing ministry director, both at Church at the Crossing, Indianapolis, Indiana, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Workshop 3: Using Fun Transitions
Fine Arts, Room 167
Does moving from one activity to another one produce chaos? This workshop offers many ideas for making transitions in the classroom smooth and fun, and teachable. Sharon Weldon, director of Bullfrogs and Butterflies Preschool, Hope Community Church, Andover, Kansas, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Preschool teachers
Workshop 3: When You Gonna Teach Me?
Fine Arts, Room 240
As adult leaders, it is important that we understand how to help children discover their gifts and to show them how much we believe in them. Participants will be encouraged to model service and to mentor children as they learn to serve. We will also discuss how important it is to pray for children as you develop future leaders for the church and launch them into ministry. Judy Hughes, pastor of children’s and family ministries, Dayspring Church of God, Cincinnati, Ohio, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Workshop 3: WOW! Capturing the Attention of a Tween
Fine Arts, Room 269
How do you capture the attention of a tween? What makes them tick? And what can we do to help them be awed by God? Preteens are a different breed. Ministering to them has to be different as well if we want to capture their hearts for God. Barbra Carney, children’s pastor, First Church of God, Mount Sterling, Kentucky, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Workshop 4: Affirmative Teaching
Fine Arts, Room 169
Does the teaching in your preschool class leave a positive impression? Ideas will be shared on how to teach in a positive way using activities, interactions, music, books, and learning Scripture. Cleta Rider, children’s ministry worker, Tytus Avenue First Church of God, Middletown, Ohio, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 2:15 to 3:15 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Preschool teachers
Workshop 4: Assisting a Child at Decision Time
Fine Arts, Room 167
Do you find yourself inadequate to talk with children about beginning a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? This workshop will share important things to remember when talking with a child and give you tools to assist at this crucial point in the life of a child. Tools will also be given on how to incorporate the gospel into Bible stories. Pam Howland, children’s pastor, Hope Community Church, Andover, Kansas, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 2:15 to 3:15 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Elementary teachers
Workshop 4: Building Sets and Props for Church Needs
Fine Arts, Room 240
Set up Nehemiah’s Construction Company in your church. Come and find out how to build sets, props, and miscellaneous objects for VBS, program, drama, and other church needs. Trent Freed, minister of Christian education and children’s pastor, Donica Church of God, Bedford, Indiana, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 2:15 to 3:15 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Christian educators and worship leaders
Workshop 4: Creative Ways to Encourage Children to Pray
Fine Arts, Room 269
“Fold your hands and close your eyes.” This is how we often teach children to pray. There are many other ways to engage children in prayer. Discover creative ideas for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The workshop will include hands-on activities as well as resources to take away. Mary Ellen Rayle, children’s pastor, County Line Church of God, Auburn, Indiana, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 2:15 to 3:15 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Children's pastors and Christian educators
Workshop 4: Discovery, Delight, Decision, and Discipleship
Fine Arrs, Room 168
In Luke 2:52, it says that Jesus grew “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Children grow in the same way, and their physical, emotional, and social development affect how they develop spiritually. Come and learn how to encourage spiritual growth at every age level, with practical hands-on ideas for teaching more effectively. Marla Barritt, representative for Gospel Light, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 2:15 to 3:15 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Children's pastors and Christian educators
Workshop 4: Getting and Keeping Volunteers
Fine Arts, Room 266
Continuous recruiting, persistent training, and uplifting encouragement. Get direction and lots of ideas to help you in each of these areas. Learn about embracing the team concept in order to build a strong and effective ministry. Tina Houser, author and children’s pastor, First Church of God, Kokomo, Indiana, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 2:15 to 3:15 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Children's pastors and Christian educators
Workshop 5: Games that Teach!
Fine Arts, Room 168
Games are a great way to get kids excited about learning God’s Word and have fun doing it! Come and learn how to use games and everyday objects to teach biblical principles so kids will be able to grab hold of the truth. It will make your classroom more exciting and fun, and you will be more effective. The conference will be repeated on Monday. Mark Barritt, former children’s pastor, New Life Fellowship, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Children's pastors and Christian educators
Workshop 5: Godly Play
Fine Arts, Room 240
The goal of godly play is to teach children the art of using religiouslanguage, parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action to become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives. Joel Bullock, children’s pastor at Park Place Church of God in Anderson, Indiana, and Jacquie Gross, former school teacher and Kid’s Place volunteer, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Children's pastors and Christian educators
Workshop 5: Interactive Fun—Creative Ideas You Can Use Tomorrow!
Fine Arts, Room 169
Gain tons of creative ideas that you can use tomorrow to capture the attention of your kids. Barbra Carney, children’s pastor, First Church of God, Mount Sterling, Kentucky, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Elementary teachers
Workshop 5: Puppetry Raise Your Hand! You Can Do It!
Fine Arts, Room 267
Interested in puppets? Learn the correct techniques of manipulating, moving, choreographing with music, and using voices with a puppet. Gary and Ann Gramlich, co-leaders of the F.U.N. Group in Lake Wales, Florida, lead.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Children's pastors and Christian educators
Workshop 5: Supporting Parents in Raising Spiritual Champions
Fine Arts, Room 269
Most parents agree they are the ones primarily responsible for their child’s spiritual development. Unfortunately, they often are not equipped with a workable plan for their family. They usually have no standards or specific goals and experience little accountability for their efforts. This workshop will offer some simple tools and activity ideas for parents and ministry leaders to evaluate children’s development. Mary Ellen Rayle, children’s pastor, County Line Church of God, Auburn, Indiana, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Children's pastors and parents
Workshop 5: Understanding Multiple Intelligences
Fine Arts, Room 266
There are eight pathways through which each person takes in information. Once you understand how to teach to each pathway, lessons can be put together so that each concept is presented in a way that every child can relate to. When you understand multiple intelligences, teaching is more fun, discipline issues decrease, and kids retain more. Tina Houser, author and children’s pastor, First Church of God, Kokomo, Indiana, leads.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Sponsor: Kingdom Ministry Team
Intended audience: Children's pastors and Christian educators
