ETCH 26 Hold Fast - ETCH NextGen Ministry Conference

YOU’RE INVITED TO

ETCH 2026

Being called into Next Generation ministry is a marathon, not a sprint. In a culture that prizes speed, success, and quick results, ministry leaders are called to persevere over the long haul.

This year’s ETCH NextGen Ministry Conference will encourage and equip you to hold fast—to remain faithful to God’s Word, persevere in your calling, and be rooted in Christ.

ETCH is an invitation for you to anchor yourself and your ministry in steadfastness. Bring your whole team and experience:

Reviving worship with hundreds of believers
Skill-sharpening breakout sessions from trusted experts
Timely wisdom from seasoned NextGen ministry leaders
Powerful encouragement highlighting God’s faithfulness in seasons of doubt, uncertainty, and exhaustion.

And so much more!

Through biblical teaching, practical ministry insights, and intentional times of worship and encouragement, ETCH will challenge you to stay the course in your personal faith and ministry leadership.

Whether facing cultural pressures, ministry fatigue, or the everyday challenges of discipling the next generation, you will be reminded that faithfulness over time is what shapes lasting impact.

We can’t wait to see you there.

YOU’RE INVITED TO ETCH 2026

Being called into Next Generation ministry is a marathon, not a sprint. In a culture that prizes speed, success, and quick results, ministry leaders are called to persevere over the long haul.

This year’s ETCH NextGen Ministry Conference will encourage and equip you to hold fast—to remain faithful to God’s Word, persevere in your calling, and be rooted in Christ.

ETCH is an invitation for you to anchor yourself and your ministry in steadfastness. Bring your whole team and experience:

Reviving worship with hundreds of believers
Skill-sharpening breakout sessions from trusted experts
Timely wisdom from seasoned NextGen ministry leaders
Powerful encouragement highlighting God’s faithfulness in seasons of doubt, uncertainty, and exhaustion.

And so much more!

Through biblical teaching, practical ministry insights, and intentional times of worship and encouragement, ETCH will challenge you to stay the course in your personal faith and ministry leadership.

Whether facing cultural pressures, ministry fatigue, or the everyday challenges of discipling the next generation, you will be reminded that faithfulness over time is what shapes lasting impact.

We can’t wait to see you there.

PRICING

Individual

$275

(through October 5)

Groups 4-9

$250

(through October 5)

Groups 10+

$240

(through October 5)

Student

$199.99

(through October 5)

SCHEDULE

1:00pm - Pre-con Check-in Begins

1:30-3:30pm - Pre-cons

3:00pm - Regular Check-in Begins / Solutions Zone & ETCH Market Open

4:00pm - Breakout 1

5:00pm - Dinner (on your own)

7:00pm - Main Session 1

8:00am - Morning Break / Solutions Zone & ETCH Market Open

9:00am - Main Session 2

10:45am - Breakout 2

11:45am - Lunch (provided)

1:00pm - Breakout 3

2:00pm - Breakout 4

3:00pm - Break / Solutions Zone & ETCH Market Open / State Meet-ups

4:00pm - Main Session 3

5:30pm - Dismiss for Dinner / Night Out (on your own)

8:00am - Solutions Zone & ETCH Market Open

9:00am - Breakout 5

10:00am - Breakout 6

11:15am - Main Session 4

12:15pm - Dismiss

BE ALL IN: SPECIAL NEEDS INCLUSION ESSENTIALS FOR NEXTGEN MINISTRY

Sandra Peoples & Jana Magruder

Creating an inclusive NextGen ministry can feel overwhelming, but every church can take meaningful steps to welcome and support kids and students with disabilities and special needs! In this session, we’ll cover the foundations of inclusion through three key principles: being aware of the needs in our churches and community; being accepting of every child and student; and being accessible in our environments, programs, and communication. We will also explore discipleship tools that help make the gospel accessible to every child and student.

Participants will leave with practical strategies, simple tools, and a clear starting point for building a ministry where every person can belong and grow in their faith.

Room: Wilson Hall A–B

GENERATION ALPHA AND NEXTGEN MINISTRY

Shane Pruitt & Shelley Melia

Generation Alpha is growing up in a world shaped by algorithms, anxiety, artificial intelligence, and shifting views of identity and truth. This session will explore the cultural forces shaping this emerging generation and what those shifts mean for preschool, children’s, student, and family ministry.

Room: Inman Chapel

PREPARED TO
RESPOND: EQUIPPING YOUR MINISTRY FOR ABUSE DISCLOSURES, MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS, AND FAMILY CRISES

Shelley Spence

When a child discloses abuse. When a student mentions self-harm. When a parent reveals a family crisis. What happens next? Many NextGen leaders find themselves navigating difficult conversations and high-stakes situations with little preparation and no clear ministry pathway.

This interactive, practical pre-conference workshop will help NextGen leaders and volunteers develop a practical framework for responding to crises with confidence. Every participant will leave with the foundation of a ministry crisis framework, implementation steps for their church, and practical strategies for training staff and volunteers for when difficult situations arise.

Room: Wilson Hall E–F

BREAKOUTS

Breakout 1

(Monday, October 5, 4:00 p.m.)

Execute with Excellence: Leading Well Start to Finish

Great ministry ideas are everywhere. Faithful execution is rare. From planning events and developing teams to communicating vision and following through on details, this session will help you build systems and habits that create trust and long-term impact.

Room: Choir Room

Creating Space for Each Child to Belong

Explore how to intentionally design environments, volunteer roles, and ministry rhythms that prioritize children who may need extra support and help every child feel safe, included, and known.

Room: Wilson Hall A–B

Thinking Theologically and Strategically About A.I. in Kids Ministry

Artificial intelligence is changing how we communicate, create, and connect. Explore theological grounding and practical discernment for where A.I. can serve ministry and where caution is needed.

Room: Wilson Hall E–F

Hard Conversations, Healthy Leadership

Learn how to give feedback with clarity, receive correction without defensiveness, and build a culture where honest conversations strengthen your ministry team.

Room: Baskin Chapel

The “No-One-Wants-Training” Training

Discover creative strategies that make ministry training something leaders actually want to engage with and develop your team without adding another night to the calendar.

Room: Inman Chapel

Breakout 2

(Tuesday, October 6, 10:45 a.m.)

VBS 2027 Sneak Peek

It’s never too early to talk about VBS! Come get a sneak peek of what’s coming for the summer of 2027 and discover how Lifeway’s VBS will help your kids and students hold fast to the steady faithfulness of God through all life’s ups and downs.

Room: Choir Room

Keeping the Gospel at the Center of Your Kids Ministry

Explore simple ways to make sure your programs, leaders, family connections, and ministry environments consistently point kids toward Jesus and His good news.

Room: Wilson Hall A–B

Metrics That Matter: Measuring Spiritual Growth in Teenagers

Learn ways to assess spiritual growth using relational and discipleship metrics rather than relying only on attendance and event participation.

Room: Wilson Hall E–F

Breakout 3

(Tuesday, October 6, 1:00 p.m.)

When God Rewrites Your Plan: 5 Leadership Lessons from Gideon

Like Gideon, most of us have had our Plan A taken away. Learn five truths from Gideon’s life that can help ministry leaders navigate discouragement, uncertainty, and change.

Room: Choir Room

More Than a Moment: Building Lifelong Faith in Kids

Consider key principles that help children move beyond a single spiritual moment toward becoming gospel-transformed, Jesus-loving, lifelong followers of Christ.

Room: Wilson Hall A–B

Breakout 4

(Tuesday, October 6, 2:00 p.m.)

Team Dynamics: Working Better Together

When teams are made up of unique individuals with different communication styles, strengths and weaknesses, and leadership dynamics, you will encounter some learning curves. This breakout will take a practical approach on how to be an effective team member, build real trust with your team, and collaborate in ways that make the whole ministry stronger.

Room: Choir Room

Less Chaos, More Connection: Managing Behavior in Kids Ministry

Gain practical techniques to calm the room, strengthen relationships, and guide children’s behavior in ways that reflect the love of Jesus.

Room: Wilson Hall A–B

Breakout 5

(Wednesday, October 7, 9:00 a.m.)

Faith in Action: Giving Kids Real Ways to Live What They Learn

Kids don’t just need to hear the Bible—they need opportunities to live it out. In this breakout, you’ll discover practical ways to create meaningful experiences and service opportunities that move faith from something kids learn to something they actively live.

Room: Wilson Hall A–B

Drowning in Dopamine: Meaningful Student Ministry & Spiritual Formation

Understand how distraction and instant gratification are shaping students and discover practical strategies for deeper discipleship and healthier rhythms.

Room: Wilson Hall E–F

Breakout 6

(Wednesday, October 7, 10:00 a.m.)

Discipling Every Child: Teaching with All Abilities in Mind

Classrooms include kids with a wide range of needs—ADHD, autism, learning differences, sensory challenges, and more. This session equips leaders with practical strategies for adapting lessons, managing attention and behavior, and creating a classroom rhythm where every child can learn and belong.

Room: Wilson Hall A–B

Stop Begging: How to Recruit a Healthy Influx of Student Ministry Volunteers

Move from desperation recruiting toward developing a healthy, steady pipeline of leaders through culture, clarity, invitation, onboarding, training, and appreciation.

Room: Wilson Hall E–F