Workshops

Tim Balogh

• Family Production: Creating a shared family experience
  Disney and DreamWorks are not the only ones who can produce a quality shared family experience. Find out how you can involve parents more in their kids lives as well as your program.
  
  
• Building Bridges: Effective Relational Ministry with kids
  Explore what "shepherding" children really looks like and how Jesus set the model.
  
  
• Modern Parables: Using culture and media in teaching
  Jesus used everyday objects and situations to unpack his teaching. But today's media-flooded kids need more than flannel graph.
  
  
• Foundations: Helping parents reach their own kids
  Parents are the primary spiritual influence in their child's life. But do they know it. Help them understand their role and responsibility as well as the church's support.
  

Kimborah Bobb

• Children's Ministry for Dummies
  If you have been in ministry for years or you are brand new, this session will help you to learn some basic teaching principles and exciting twists that you can add to your ministry that will keep your kids guessing and growing for years to come!
  
  
• FAM JAM: Effective Family Ministry
  This workshop will explore Family Ministry and how it can impact your church and community. Families are a vital part of who we are and this class will take a closer look at how we can minister to the family as a whole. Learn creative and fun ideas, activities, and games that work for families of all ages. See how to encourage a paradigm shift in your church and minister to the whole family at your summer VBS. Think outside the box and hear about the exciting opportunities that await you and your church as you begin to think about effective family ministry what it looks like and how you can implement changes in your own ministry.
  
  
• Praise Him, Raise 'Em
  This workshop will take a look at what's new and current in Children's Ministry music. You will hear kid tested and approved music that is cutting edge and cool. You will learn motions, new songs and how to find all of this great music for your ministry! Come ready for a workout as we move and groove for Jesus!
  
  
• Club 345: Effective Upper Elementary Ministry
  Having trouble reaching your upper elementary kids? If so, this is the place for you to be. Take an in depth look at Club 345 and the mission and goals behind this thriving ministry for 3rd, 4th & 5th graders.
  

Dick Crider

• Understanding Preschoolers
  They aren't little adults and they love learning. You will enjoy teaching more when you understand their unique needs. But, watch out, you will fall in love with preschoolers.
  
  
• Catch Them At The Back Door
  Why are we losing up to 40% of our pre-teen kids? They have special needs that must be met by the church before it's too late. We can catch them before they run out the back door if we understand the seductions pulling them away.
  
  
• Getting the Most Out of your DiscipleLand curriculum
  If you understand the history and philosophy of DiscipleLand curriculum, you will capture a new vision for making disciples. This practical workshop will show you how to get the most from your Sunday school hour using Discipleland.
  
  
• Teaching For Changed Lives
  This motivational workshop will help every teacher gain a new understanding of the value of Christian education. Teachers will see their role in a new light that will encourage and challenge them. Has your teaching staff been faithful for many years? "Teaching For Changed Lives" will give them a boost to carry on for many more years.
  

Mary Rice Hopkins and Darcie Maze

• Chocolate Meets Peanut Butter! -- Combining Music and Puppetry
  Music and puppetry are two of the most powerful teaching tools for communicating the gospel to His little ones. You will learn how to share the gospel, teach Bible stories and have fun at the same time. You can combine a song and simple story that will last a lifetime. You might think you are non-musical and have no acting abilities. That's OK! We are here to give you tools to share and teach the way that Jesus taught.
  
  
• Creative Arts that Bring Focus and Healing
  This seminar will take you to a new level of ministering that will teach you how to go to the hard places where children's hearts get hurt or broken. You'll learn how to tap into the child's emotions with creative songs and teaching tools that will make a lasting change in their lives.
  
  
• The ABCs of Praise with Puppetry and Music
  So many ways to praise You Lord, I don't know where to start. But with these ABCs of praise, I can express my heart…from A-Z! Are you having trouble getting your kids to sing? Are you looking for ways to include the little ones? Are you in need of new object lessons to reinforce your main point or Bible story? Do you want to incorporate music into your lesson theme? With simple hand motions, performance ideas, and more, you can be musical EVEN if you are not musical. You don't have to be a singer to attend; however, knowing how to operate a CD/Cassette player will help!
  

Kal Gilchrist

• Eight Is Enough!
  Do Family Ministry? Let current stats speak for themselves! Family issues are critical to the well-being of our churches. This workshop explores at least Eight Elements that every family ministry should have.
  
  
• Eat Your Way Through The Bible!
  For most families Sunday morning breakfast is an after-thought. They get in the car and realize that the kids have not eaten anything! Oops! Do most of your ministry kids come to church hungry? Use it as a teaching tool! Learn how you can eat your way through the Bible!
  
  
• Take Me Out To The Ballgame!
  Ministry can be like a baseball game. We're on the same team but were not all the same. That's why we've got to learn to play together. In this workshop you will experience 'team games' to help build unity among your team members. Be inspired. Be encouraged. And coach, don't give up!
  
  
• Just Play It!
  Games make great energy burners. Games are an interactive way to reinforce biblical principles. Many games can be adjusted to meet specific themes. It's always helpful to have one or two bible games ready in the rare event that you run out of lesson before you run out of time.
  

Dave Truitt

• Ballooning In Your Neighborhood
  Balloons extend outside your church walls. Balloon artist and teams gain access to local schools and community organizations. Learn how to form a Balloon ministry team and some ways you can reach outside your church walls with balloons
  
  
• Ballooning 101 - Learning the Basics
  Did you ever want to learn how to twist balloons? In this class, everyone will learn how to twist a standard do, flower, hats and a heart. No previous experience necessary. You can be the hit at your next outreach event!
  
  
• Ballooning 201 - Beyond the Basics
  We will go beyond the basic sculptures and make some creative hats, characters and animals. Previous balloon twisting is needed to actively participate in this class.
  
  
• Sharing the Gospel With Balloons
  You can creatively share the Gospel with balloons. You'll learn at least four lessons you can teach next week with a few simple twists on some balloons. Balloon twisting experience helpful, but not necessary.