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ETCH NextGen Ministry Conference

ETCH NextGen Ministry Conference

  • Event Info
  • Schedule
  • Speakers
  • Pre-Cons
  • Breakouts
  • Register
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OCTOBER 9–11, BRENTWOOD, TN
Register Now

“One generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts.” —Psalm 145:4

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Join us for ETCH 2023!

October 9–11, 2023
Brentwood Baptist Church
7777 Concord Rd. Brentwood, TN 37027

ETCH NextGen Ministry Conference will excite, inspire, and engage your Kids, Student, NextGen, and Family Ministry teams.

Pricing
Pricing

Individual

$275

(through October 9)

Register

Groups 4–9

$250

(through October 9)

Register

Groups 10+

$240

(through October 9)

Register

Student

$199

(through October 9)

Register
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Next
Adventure
Challenge
Impact
Inspiration
Vision
Hope
Gen
Scripture implores us to be intentional in passing along the faith from one generation to the next. That is certainly what we are called to do as NextGen ministry leaders. But it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture when bogged down by the day-to-day details of ministry. It’s equally easy to be frustrated when the tried-and-true methods of reaching and discipling don’t quite seem to work the same as they used to. So what’s NEXT? How do we tell the story of a faithful God in a compelling way that captures the attention of this next generation?

The ETCH NextGen Ministry Conference will help you turn your eyes to what’s NEXT. From unlocking research to discovering new strategies to reconnecting with your calling, ETCH will equip you to reach, disciple, and pass on the faith to the next generation.

Schedule

(subject to change)

1:00 p.m. — Check-in for Precons
(ETCH Market Open) 

1:30 p.m. — Precons (2 hours) 

3:00 p.m. — Conference Check-in Begins

4:00 p.m. — Breakout 1 

5:00 p.m. — DINNER (provided) & Panel

6:30 p.m. — Doors Open for Main Session

7:00 p.m. — Main Session 1

8:00 a.m. — Morning Break / Solutions
Zone & ETCH Market Open

9:00 a.m. — Main Session 2

10:30 a.m. — Breakout 2 

11:30 a.m. — LUNCH (provided) 

1:00 p.m. — Breakout 3  

2:00 p.m. — Breakout 4 

3:00 p.m. — BREAK

4:00 p.m. — Main Session 3

5:00 p.m. — Dismiss for Dinner /
Night Out (on your own)

6:30 p.m. — Free Movie Screening
(AMC Thoroughbred, 633 Frazier Dr, Franklin, TN 37067)

8:00 a.m. — Morning Break / Solutions
Zone & ETCH Market Open

9:00 a.m. — Breakout 5 

10:00 a.m. — Breakout 6 

11:15 a.m. — Main Session 4 

12:15 p.m. — DISMISS

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Speakers
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Steve Cuss
AUTHOR, PASTOR
Read Bio
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One Common
Electronic/Pop Christian Duo
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Alexandra Hoover
Author, Speaker
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Chuck Peters
Director of Lifeway Kids
Read Bio
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Travis Cottrell
songwriter, worship pastor
Read Bio
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Jana Magruder
Strategic Initiatives Director of Lifeway Kids
Read Bio
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Ben Trueblood
Director of Lifeway Students
Read Bio
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Jay Hardwick
Pastor
Read Bio
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Pre-Conference

Pre-cons are offered simultaneously. You will only be able to attend one.

Pre-con #1

New2Ministry

A one-day intensive for brand new preschool, kids, and student ministers who’ve been in their positions two years or less. (Lunch provided)

Check in at 9:30am // Intensive is 10:00am–2:00pm

Cost: Free with ETCH registration (cap at 50 student and 50 kids)

Register Now

Pre-con #2

Build Your Dream Team

Brian Preston, Alex Russell, Kate Downing
Unpack a system to grow, train, and retain the very best volunteers possible for preschool, kids, and student ministries. Bring your team to this collaborative session to gather ideas, insights, and resources on how to structure and build a dream team in your church! 

Check in at 1:00pm // Pre-con is 1:30–3:30pm

Cost: $35/person or bring your whole team for $100

Register Now

Pre-con #3

Flip the Script: Disrupting Tradition for the Sake of the Next Generation

Chuck Peters, Jana Magruder, Stephanie Salvatore
When it comes to connecting the gospel to our current culture of kids and families, we may be reading from an old script. Research indicates that in each generation, fewer and fewer people are identifying as Christians or attending church. Kids and students are faced with cultural dynamics that challenge a biblical worldview. How do we as the Church respond? This pre-con will dive into new strategies and solutions that challenge us to flip the script on old ministry models for the sake of the next generation. *Each attendee will receive a copy of the book Flip the Script.

Check in at 1:00pm // Pre-con is 1:30–3:30pm

Cost: $35/person or bring your whole team for $100

Register Now

Pre-con #4

Discipleship Pathway for Preschool, Kids, and Student Ministry

Danielle Bell
Make discipleship the goal in every milestone! This session will help you develop an intentional plan to meet families along the entire faith journey from birth to high school graduation. With a focus on developing authentic community, this session will help you discover best practices for discipling and shepherding preschoolers, kids, students, and families.

Check in at 1:00pm // Pre-con is 1:30–3:30pm

Cost: $35/person or bring your whole team for $100

Register Now

Pre-con #5

VBS Think Tank

Rhonda VanCleave & Jeremy Carroll
Have you ever wanted to be a part of creating a Lifeway VBS? Got a great theme idea? This is your chance to speak into the future! Come help us brainstorm what’s next.

Check in at 1:00pm // Pre-con is 1:30–3:30pm

Cost: Free with ETCH registration (space is limited) 

Register Now

Breakouts

Breakout 1

Monday, October 9, 4:00 p.m.

Slide 5
Why Groups Matter

Ken Braddy

Research has shown that groups make a measurable and significant difference in the spiritual growth of group members, and that they are indispensable to a healthy, growing church. This session will help you understand why there is power in groups, why people join and leave groups, and why your church must have effective groups for all ages. 

Slide 5
Married in the Ministry, Not Married to the Ministry

Grant & Corrine Allen

If you and your spouse both serve in ministry (staff or volunteer) then you know that juggling it all is a challenge! This breakout session will discuss the unique challenges and blessings of being married while serving.

Slide 5
A Big Vision for Little Kids: Keeping the Cross at the Center of Kids Ministry 

Kevin Jones

A big vision for a kids ministry is more than simply hoping children grow into godliness. This session will explore what we need to do to encourage all members of the church to get involved in the ongoing work in kids ministry while keeping the cross in mind.

Slide 5
10 Practical Tools for Preschool Teachers

Klista Storts

Do you truly equip your preschool teachers or do you just hand them supplies on Sunday morning and hope for the best? Teach your leaders these practical tools to connect with preschoolers and share God’s love in ways they learn best. Your volunteers will come back week after week and year after year if they are equipped with not only resources, but with a working knowledge of how to use them.

Slide 5
Relational Children’s Ministry

Crystal Mazzuca

Discipleship happens in the context of relationship. What does this look like in children’s ministry? In this breakout, we will discuss, brainstorm, and ideate what relational children’s ministry looks like including equipping volunteers, refreshing the ways services are structured, and going beyond kids to build relationships with the whole family.

Slide 5
Practical Tips for Broadly-graded Teaching Environments

Jennie Ross

What do you do when you have a wide age range of kids in one group? Whether it’s in a large group worship time, Bible study group, Backyard Kids Club, or out on a mission trip, this session will give you tried and true tips to keep kids of different ages engaged at the same time.

Slide 5
Special Needs Ministry:
Creating Times of Respite

Lauren Brown

Many families who have children with special needs struggle to find acceptance, often feeling like their children don’t “belong.” One way we share God’s love with them is through times of respite. Respite is any experience for a child with special needs (and their young siblings) that gives their parents much-needed rest. This session will walk through the steps of creating this time of respite through a monthly respite event or by creating a sensory room for one-on-one care opportunities on Sundays or Wednesdays.

Slide 5
Garden Tools to Grow Small Groups

Zac Workun

This session will unlock surprisingly simple tools you need to cultivate healthy small groups for student ministries (large or small).  

Slide 5
Lonely Questions in Youth Ministry

Amanda Mejias

Am I the only one that feels this way? Does anyone else struggle with ______? Are your student facing issues like mine? These are a few questions that students and leaders are asking. Let’s work together and find some solutions.  

Slide 5
Conversations about
“Tough Stuff”

Kathy Koch

Children’s thoughts and feelings are always important. In times of confusion and crisis, they matter even more. Learn what to do and not do that encourages children to come to you with their questions, confusions, doubts, and fears about God, themselves, and the culture. Dr. Kathy’s practical and relevant ideas will help you ask questions well and answer theirs so they’ll keep talking to you.

Slide 5
Strategies for Intentional Outreach to Families 

Mark Jones

It is time to create a plan for outreach that stretches throughout the year and attracts families to your church so that you can share the gospel. In this session, you’ll learn how to take the programs you currently provide and use them as outreach while also creating other outreach moments to fill the gaps throughout the year. Your volunteers will be inspired as you lead them to “look out” to reach families rather than always “looking in.”

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Breakout 2

Tuesday, October 10, 10:30 a.m.

Slide 5
Tools to Notice, Name, and Diffuse Anxiety

Steve Cuss

Learn tactical tools on how to notice and locate anxiety, understand triggers and most powerfully, increase connection and awareness on yourself and your people. We will look at the nature of chronic anxiety and how it blocks our awareness of God’s presence, how to “differentiate” while staying connected and how to create a life-giving list of habits to stay emotionally healthy. 

Slide 5
The New Relationship Normal

Zac Workun

This session will examine how small screens and social media have changed the nature of relationships for church leaders seeking to evangelize and disciple.  

Slide 5
Alignment in NextGen Ministries: From Our Team to Yours

Brentwood Baptist’s NextGen Team (Evan Kuntz, Brad Smith, & Todd Villemont)

Join us as we unpack the DNA of how Brentwood Baptist’s NextGen team collaborates together from birth through “senior sending.”

Slide 5
Preschoolers + Real Connection  

Kayla Stevens & Isaac Kierstead

Does your teaching connect? This breakout will take a deeper look at the characteristics and learning styles of preschoolers, evaluating the authentic connection that comes through real relationships. Through strategies tailored specifically to preschoolers, we will consider how we as leaders can help each preschooler find real connection with their leaders and God who made them.

Slide 5
Up-aging and Implications for Preschool and Kids Ministry

Landry Holmes

Is it just our imagination or do today’s preschoolers and kids seem to be developing at a faster rate than previous generations? “Up-aging” is the recent phenomenon of kids growing up sooner and more quickly than their predecessors. Let’s take a look at how up-aging impacts our ministries.

Slide 5
Developing Leadership in Preteens

Melissa Whitworth

Preteens can often be overlooked when you think of leadership. Learn strategic ways to help the preteens in your church become leaders and take ownership. Preteens are more capable than you may realize; discover ways to help them rise to the challenge and develop skills that will last a lifetime.

Slide 5
How Your Growth Impacts Her Growth

Amanda Mejias

Teen girls are growing up in a generation of biblically illiterate households. What does our time with the Lord need to look like? We must model a love for the Word. Our love for the Lord and His Word will directly influence that way the girls love Him and His Word. 

Slide 5
Helping Parents with Hard Questions

Chad Higgins

Families are facing a culture that often gives us more questions than we might feel like there are answers. Join us as we look at some of these hard questions and tackle how we might be able to partner with families as they help their children and teens seek biblical answers.  

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Breakout 3

Tuesday, October 10, 1:00 p.m.

Slide 5
How to Build a “Catch & Release” Culture in Adult Ministry that Fuels Kids and Student Ministries

Ken Braddy

The primary source of volunteers for kids and student ministries comes from adult groups. Discover ways to encourage a stronger partnership with the adult ministry, and how to create a culture in which adult groups become sending groups, fueling ministry to your church’s younger members.

Slide 5
Working as a Team: How to Develop Healthy Relationships with Your Staff Team

Matt Morgan

Every ministry leader wants to be heard, supported, and appreciated by their peers and their Senior Pastor. Unfortunately, passion and priorities often lead us to fight with one another rather than for one another. Whether you are leading kids, students, or the entire church, this breakout will be a helpful discussion on how you can use your role to better support those around you and fulfill the mission God has given your church.

Slide 5
Building Belonging with Families and Volunteers

Jeremy Carroll & Crystal Mazzuca

We all want the children who walk through our doors to feel like they belong, but it doesn’t have to stop there! As ministry leaders, we have the unique opportunity to cultivate community for kids as well as the families who love them and the volunteers who serve them. This breakout will give you practical tools, tips, and tricks for fostering community for families and volunteers so everyone can find real connection and true belonging.

Slide 5
How Do Preschoolers Learn about Emotions?

Tony Rankin

From the minute children are born they start learning about their emotions and ways to express them. They learn to regulate them through relationships and social interactions. Preschoolers learn to express their feelings through important relationships like teachers, friends, parents, and grandparents. This session will help you learn to assist children in expressing their emotions.

Slide 5
Leading Kids and Parents Through Salvation Conversations

Jennie Ross

Walking a child through a salvation decision is an amazing experience, but how do we know if we’re doing it right? Let’s talk about how to recognize the signs if a child is ready for this step, as well as navigating this exciting time with parents.

Slide 5
Teaching Priceless Biblical Truths Using Dollar Store Items 

Jenni Carter

Kids ministry can be expensive! This session will give you great ideas your volunteers can use this Sunday to teach children and preschoolers priceless biblical truths without breaking the budget.

Slide 5
The Power Technology Has Over Kids and Students 

Kathy Koch

Some of your children’s and students’ most troubling attitudes and behavior (e.g., entitlement, pride, anger, depression) may be directly related to their use of technology. That’s because tech warps their ideas about how the world works and these ideas influence their character and actions. They may be addicted to the ideas, but we can do something about it. You’ll find hope in this message!

Slide 5
Unlocking the Growth Formula: Proven Strategies to Scale Your Youth Ministry

Anthony Vargas

Fact: Healthy things grow. So how can you take your Youth Ministry to the next level numerically? Is it more leaders? Is it a better system? What if it was just as simple as a new sermon series? In this breakout, youth ministry leaders who are wanting more will discover 10 techniques to catapult themselves into a fresh season of growth. 

Slide 5
Cultural Relevance Is Always Relevant

Tega Faafa

Current culture reveals students are in need of love, acceptance, friendship, affirmation, and mentorship. But youth ministries have all of the tools needed to point students to the One who has all they need. It’s less about what we say and more about how we say it. 

Slide 5
Student of Your Student Ministry: Training You Can Take Home 

Nathan Howard

This session will unpack the latest trends in Gen Z/Alpha research, so that you may discern the next steps for your students to become disciples. Gather tools you can take home to train your leaders to be better equipped to mentor, train, and teach your students about following Jesus. 

Slide 5
Intentional Discipleship in 30 Seconds 

Taylor Johnson

Discipleship isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. We need to be intentional about regularly looking for teachable moments at home, in the car, on the ball field, at the grocery store, and at the park (Deut. 6). If Sunday morning discipleship is “macro discipleship,” this model is “micro discipleship,” which works in tandem with other discipleship programs at church to build a foundation of faith for children and families.

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Breakout 4

Tuesday, October 10, 2:00 p.m.

Slide 5
How to Develop Leaders as a Busy Minister 

Jeremy Echols

Reality—it feels like you don’t have time to develop leaders. Truth—you can’t do everything on your own. Let’s discuss why developing the leaders within your ministry is biblical, essential, and it IS possible!

Slide 5
Faith Filled Futures: The Importance of Planting Theological Truths in Kids Ministry

Kevin Jones

In kids ministry, we desire to build a foundation that leads to lifelong faithfulness to Scripture. Therefore, we must keep the supremacy, beauty, and practicality of God’s Word at the center of our discussion. In this session, we will look at God’s Word and the importance of it being the center of our ministry.

Slide 5
Captivate Their Learning Through Sensory Play

Shelly Taylor

We all understand children learn through their senses. This session will give a variety of practical ideas that you can implement to engage children throughout the session. We’ll cover fun activities for learning centers, group times, and even a rotational sensory experience room too!

Slide 5
Guiding Difficult Behavior: Behavior Management Strategies

Lauren Brown

Do you have kids in your ministry whose challenging behaviors frustrate even your most experienced volunteers? Maybe you’ve wondered if this child could have some form of special need. Come learn how to help your volunteers see every child as unique and special, and gain practical tips to increase connection and create safe environments for all kids to grow in their faith.

Slide 5
Confronting the Lies of Culture with VBS

Melita Thomas

“Did God really say…?” was the first time God’s truth was questioned and that same old twisted lie has been repackaged over and over ever since. VBS 2024 will take preschoolers, kids, students (yes, students!), and adults on a journey to Breaker Rock Beach to learn how to sift through the lies of culture and stand strong on the unchanging rock of God’s truth. Come get a sneak peek at what’s coming NEXT for the summer of 2024.

Slide 5
Understanding Childhood Grief and Loss

Shelly Melia

Children experience grief and loss differently than adults. This conference will help you see grief and loss through the eyes of a child and provide practical ideas for ministering to children and their families.

Slide 5
Removing the Fear of the Unknown with Individuals and Families Impacted by Disability

Tiffany McCullough

This session will help you remove the fear around “all things Special Needs” in churches. Some parents and families come with fear or hesitancy because of past “church hurt” and being mistreated; other ministers and church staff come with fear because they “don’t know what they don’t know.” This session will help to set you up for success in doing Special Needs Ministry the way I believe Jesus wants us to.

Slide 5
Discipleship Unleashed

Jameson Barker

It’s time we get back to discipling and unleashing our students to infinitely reproduce themselves NOW so that they are even more ready to do it when they have a family LATER. If we are willing to train preteens and students now, we will see the ripples for decades into the future. 

Slide 5
How to Promote Your Youth Ministry in a Healthy Way

Brian Preston

This session will help you learn to highlight and broadcast what God is doing in your student ministry that both honors Jesus and helps draw students and families into your ministry. 

Slide 5
Four Healthy and Four Unhealthy Practices in Leading a Ministry 

Kate Downing

Leadership comes down to how we practice. There are four unhealthy practices and four healthy practices that could right or wreck your ministry. Let’s identify the good and work to eliminate the bad so you and your youth ministry will thrive. 

Slide 5
My Family, My Ministry

Chad Higgins

Ministering to families starts with us. From the best children’s ministry to effective student ministry, it starts with you as a leader. Join us as we work through some specific examples of how you can celebrate and live out effective family ministry practices in your church and home.  

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Breakout 5

Wednesday, October 11, 9:00 a.m.

Slide 5
Leveraging Your Leadership Style and Recruiting to Cover Your Weaknesses

Shelly Melia

We come to the leadership table with different strengths and weaknesses. The good news is that God can use a variety of people and personalities to accomplish His good work. This conference will help you discover and embrace your strengths while also helping you develop a strategy to cover for your weaknesses.

Slide 5
Church Communication, Outreach, and Community Building

Katie Allred

By enhancing church communications and outreach, we can better connect with the younger generation and foster a sense of belonging. Community-building activities can provide safe spaces for the next generation to connect and express themselves, promoting mental health and reducing feelings of isolation. These approaches can also help instill empathy, compassion, and mutual respect among children and teens, which they can carry into adulthood. 

Slide 5
Cultivating a Vibrant Preschool Ministry

Kimba Campbell

This breakout is designed to equip and empower preschool ministry leaders with the knowledge, skills, and passion to create a thriving preschool ministry. Through interactive discussions, attendees will discover 10 attributes that are vital to the life of their ministry. Let’s cultivate vibrant preschool ministries and sow the seeds of faith in the hearts of our precious children!

Slide 5
Effective Children’s Ministry in 2035

Matt Morgan

Think about this … 10 years ago Apple Music didn’t exist, DoorDash didn’t exist, and the name Alexa was just the 32nd most popular name for a baby girl! The rapid changes of the previous decade are strong proof that there is more change coming. Join us as we talk about Gen Z parents, Gen Alpha/Beta kids, and what effective children’s ministry might look like in 2035.

Slide 5
Providing Choices and Options for Preteens: How to Set Preteens Apart from the Younger Ages

Melissa Whitworth

Learn tips and strategies for creating a unique space that preteens can call their own. Whether your church is small or large, creating choices and options for preteens that are different from the younger students will allow you to minister to this unique age group in a more intentional way.

Slide 5
The Great Commission Isn’t Just for Adults: Equipping the Church and the Home for the Great Commission

Taylor Johnson

Missions is vital to the church. Missions programs and events are great, but these only scratch the surface of what we can do to incorporate missions into our children’s ministries. Programs and events should be the launching pad for educating children on how to live on mission. Missions isn’t just for missionaries; missions is for Christians—all Christians, all ages.

Slide 5
Why Your Discipleship Plan May Not be Working

Kathy Koch

You may be excited to have a discipleship program, but now disappointed that children and teens aren’t growing as much as you thought they would. The reasons may surprise you. Let’s analyze what may be going on by looking at five connected needs that drive wants, choices, actions, and attitudes. Small changes can make big differences. Dr. Kathy’s practical problem-solving approach will encourage you.

Slide 5
Multiplying Yourself

Jameson Barker

How to recruit the best volunteer leaders, equip them long term, and unleash them well in the NEXT phase of Student Ministry. 

Slide 5
If God So Loved the World, We Should Too

Tega Faafa

Helping youth ministry leaders understand how to best speak the language of students in a way that is both challenging and well received is hard. This session will give you tools to help you teach and relate. 

Slide 5
Gospel-centered Family Experiences

Danielle Bell

Help families learn grow, seek, and worship Jesus together. In this breakout, we will discover how to create experiences where learning begins together as families at church and then continues at home.

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Breakout 6

Wednesday, October 11, 10:00 a.m.

Slide 5
How to Survive When Doing More with Less

Jeremy Echols

Resources and budgets aren’t increasing at the same rate as ministry responsibilities and expectations. While we can’t wave a magic wand and change this reality, we can practice realistic steps to keep your ministry strong, avoid burnout, and move from surviving to succeeding.

Slide 5
Incorporating Digital Media in Your Church Ministries

Katie Allred

Digital media can effectively bridge the communication gap and resonate better with the tech-savvy generation. Through platforms like social media, YouTube, podcasts, etc. we can disseminate positive, inspiring messages to a wider audience. This also encourages next generation participation and engagement in ministry activities, making religion more accessible and appealing to them. 

Slide 5
Equipping and Empowering Volunteers

Brian Preston

When leaders know how to recruit, equip, and empower volunteers to lead kids and student ministries it can change and drive an entire church. 

Slide 5
Developing a Thriving KidMin Team

Jenni Carter

You can’t do it all yourself. This session will give you some great ideas to enlist, encourage, and empower volunteers to become thriving leaders in kids ministry.

Slide 5
Change the Perception from Babysitting to Teaching with Intentionality

Shelly Taylor

If someone walked up to your classroom door, would they know that Bible teaching happens here? Join us today to talk about changing the perception! It’s not just babysitting … we are teaching biblical truth intentionally and consistently to preschoolers in a manner that affects their conversation and changes the way they play! In this session, we’ll talk about communicating vision to the leaders and church at large as we change that perception together!

Slide 5
What Makes a Child Ready to Learn?

Tony Rankin

In order to learn, children must learn to manage their behaviors, to know when compliance is a good quality, to know how to be flexible, practice interacting with others, have self-determination, know how to verbalize feelings, and express themselves to the people around them. Learn how to help children be ready to learn.

Slide 5
More “Rescue Games” for Leaders

Mark Jones

Often we need a game to play that will help teach the material we are learning or stretch the teaching time when parents are running late.  This conference will put that list in your back pocket and make you a hero as you share it with other teachers. Be ready to play!

Slide 5
Must-Do’s in Special Needs Ministry

Tiffany McCullough

This session will cover essentials such as policies and procedures around safety and security, de-escalating challenging behaviors, designing sensory spaces and interactive classrooms, visual schedules, token boards, reward systems, and other things pertaining to activities, curriculum, schedules, re-directing problem behavior, reinforcing positive behavior, and establishing safety protocols.

Slide 5
Empowering and Unleashing Teenage Evangelists

Anthony Vargas

The difference between students knowing what they believe and owning what they believe is when they begin to share what they believe. This breakout will cover the following: How to break free from a quiet “student ministry faith” and turn up the faith volume; real life examples and stories of students sharing; best practice for success; building culture and momentum regarding evangelism; and tips and tricks for planning your first “Share Day.” 

Slide 5
Teaching To and For All Types of Teens

Kate Downing

Teaching is not just about what you want to say, but how your audience learns best. This session will help you consider the learning styles, backgrounds, techniques, and environments of teens in order to foster them to become lifelong learners and disciples.  

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Breakout 1

Monday, October 9, 4:00 p.m.

Slide 5
Why Groups Matter

Ken Braddy

Research has shown that groups make a measurable and significant difference in the spiritual growth of group members, and that they are indispensable to a healthy, growing church. This session will help you understand why there is power in groups, why people join and leave groups, and why your church must have effective groups for all ages. 

Slide 5
Married in the Ministry, Not Married to the Ministry

Grant & Corrine Allen

If you and your spouse both serve in ministry (staff or volunteer) then you know that juggling it all is a challenge! This breakout session will discuss the unique challenges and blessings of being married while serving.

Slide 5
A Big Vision for Little Kids: Keeping the Cross at the Center of Kids Ministry 

Kevin Jones

A big vision for a kids ministry is more than simply hoping children grow into godliness. This session will explore what we need to do to encourage all members of the church to get involved in the ongoing work in kids ministry while keeping the cross in mind.

Slide 5
10 Practical Tools for Preschool Teachers

Klista Storts

Do you truly equip your preschool teachers or do you just hand them supplies on Sunday morning and hope for the best? Teach your leaders these practical tools to connect with preschoolers and share God’s love in ways they learn best. Your volunteers will come back week after week and year after year if they are equipped with not only resources, but with a working knowledge of how to use them.

Slide 5
Relational Children’s Ministry

Crystal Mazzuca

Discipleship happens in the context of relationship. What does this look like in children’s ministry? In this breakout, we will discuss, brainstorm, and ideate what relational children’s ministry looks like including equipping volunteers, refreshing the ways services are structured, and going beyond kids to build relationships with the whole family.

Slide 5
Practical Tips for Broadly-graded Teaching Environments

Jennie Ross

What do you do when you have a wide age range of kids in one group? Whether it’s in a large group worship time, Bible study group, Backyard Kids Club, or out on a mission trip, this session will give you tried and true tips to keep kids of different ages engaged at the same time.

Slide 5
Special Needs Ministry:
Creating Times of Respite

Lauren Brown

Many families who have children with special needs struggle to find acceptance, often feeling like their children don’t “belong.” One way we share God’s love with them is through times of respite. Respite is any experience for a child with special needs (and their young siblings) that gives their parents much-needed rest. This session will walk through the steps of creating this time of respite through a monthly respite event or by creating a sensory room for one-on-one care opportunities on Sundays or Wednesdays.

Slide 5
Garden Tools to Grow Small Groups

Zac Workun

This session will unlock surprisingly simple tools you need to cultivate healthy small groups for student ministries (large or small).  

Slide 5
Lonely Questions in Youth Ministry

Amanda Mejias

Am I the only one that feels this way? Does anyone else struggle with ______? Are your student facing issues like mine? These are a few questions that students and leaders are asking. Let’s work together and find some solutions.  

Slide 5
Conversations about
“Tough Stuff”

Kathy Koch

Children’s thoughts and feelings are always important. In times of confusion and crisis, they matter even more. Learn what to do and not do that encourages children to come to you with their questions, confusions, doubts, and fears about God, themselves, and the culture. Dr. Kathy’s practical and relevant ideas will help you ask questions well and answer theirs so they’ll keep talking to you.

Slide 5
Strategies for Intentional Outreach to Families 

Mark Jones

It is time to create a plan for outreach that stretches throughout the year and attracts families to your church so that you can share the gospel. In this session, you’ll learn how to take the programs you currently provide and use them as outreach while also creating other outreach moments to fill the gaps throughout the year. Your volunteers will be inspired as you lead them to “look out” to reach families rather than always “looking in.”

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Breakout 2

Tuesday, October 10, 10:30 a.m.

Slide 5
Tools to Notice, Name, and Diffuse Anxiety

Steve Cuss

Learn tactical tools on how to notice and locate anxiety, understand triggers and most powerfully, increase connection and awareness on yourself and your people. We will look at the nature of chronic anxiety and how it blocks our awareness of God’s presence, how to “differentiate” while staying connected and how to create a life-giving list of habits to stay emotionally healthy. 

Slide 5
The New Relationship Normal

Zac Workun

This session will examine how small screens and social media have changed the nature of relationships for church leaders seeking to evangelize and disciple.  

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Alignment in NextGen Ministries: From Our Team to Yours

Brentwood Baptist’s NextGen Team (Evan Kuntz, Brad Smith, & Todd Villemont)

Join us as we unpack the DNA of how Brentwood Baptist’s NextGen team collaborates together from birth through “senior sending.”

Slide 5
Preschoolers + Real Connection  

Kayla Stevens & Isaac Kierstead

Does your teaching connect? This breakout will take a deeper look at the characteristics and learning styles of preschoolers, evaluating the authentic connection that comes through real relationships. Through strategies tailored specifically to preschoolers, we will consider how we as leaders can help each preschooler find real connection with their leaders and God who made them.

Slide 5
Up-aging and Implications for Preschool and Kids Ministry

Landry Holmes

Is it just our imagination or do today’s preschoolers and kids seem to be developing at a faster rate than previous generations? “Up-aging” is the recent phenomenon of kids growing up sooner and more quickly than their predecessors. Let’s take a look at how up-aging impacts our ministries.

Slide 5
Developing Leadership in Preteens

Melissa Whitworth

Preteens can often be overlooked when you think of leadership. Learn strategic ways to help the preteens in your church become leaders and take ownership. Preteens are more capable than you may realize; discover ways to help them rise to the challenge and develop skills that will last a lifetime.

Slide 5
How Your Growth Impacts Her Growth

Amanda Mejias

Teen girls are growing up in a generation of biblically illiterate households. What does our time with the Lord need to look like? We must model a love for the Word. Our love for the Lord and His Word will directly influence that way the girls love Him and His Word. 

Slide 5
Helping Parents with Hard Questions

Chad Higgins

Families are facing a culture that often gives us more questions than we might feel like there are answers. Join us as we look at some of these hard questions and tackle how we might be able to partner with families as they help their children and teens seek biblical answers.  

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Breakout 3

Tuesday, October 10, 1:00 p.m.

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How to Build a “Catch & Release” Culture in Adult Ministry that Fuels Kids and Student Ministries

Ken Braddy

The primary source of volunteers for kids and student ministries comes from adult groups. Discover ways to encourage a stronger partnership with the adult ministry, and how to create a culture in which adult groups become sending groups, fueling ministry to your church’s younger members.

Slide 5
Working as a Team: How to Develop Healthy Relationships with Your Staff Team

Matt Morgan

Every ministry leader wants to be heard, supported, and appreciated by their peers and their Senior Pastor. Unfortunately, passion and priorities often lead us to fight with one another rather than for one another. Whether you are leading kids, students, or the entire church, this breakout will be a helpful discussion on how you can use your role to better support those around you and fulfill the mission God has given your church.

Slide 5
Building Belonging with Families and Volunteers

Jeremy Carroll & Crystal Mazzuca

We all want the children who walk through our doors to feel like they belong, but it doesn’t have to stop there! As ministry leaders, we have the unique opportunity to cultivate community for kids as well as the families who love them and the volunteers who serve them. This breakout will give you practical tools, tips, and tricks for fostering community for families and volunteers so everyone can find real connection and true belonging.

Slide 5
How Do Preschoolers Learn about Emotions?

Tony Rankin

From the minute children are born they start learning about their emotions and ways to express them. They learn to regulate them through relationships and social interactions. Preschoolers learn to express their feelings through important relationships like teachers, friends, parents, and grandparents. This session will help you learn to assist children in expressing their emotions.

Slide 5
Leading Kids and Parents Through Salvation Conversations

Jennie Ross

Walking a child through a salvation decision is an amazing experience, but how do we know if we’re doing it right? Let’s talk about how to recognize the signs if a child is ready for this step, as well as navigating this exciting time with parents.

Slide 5
Teaching Priceless Biblical Truths Using Dollar Store Items 

Jenni Carter

Kids ministry can be expensive! This session will give you great ideas your volunteers can use this Sunday to teach children and preschoolers priceless biblical truths without breaking the budget.

Slide 5
The Power Technology Has Over Kids and Students 

Kathy Koch

Some of your children’s and students’ most troubling attitudes and behavior (e.g., entitlement, pride, anger, depression) may be directly related to their use of technology. That’s because tech warps their ideas about how the world works and these ideas influence their character and actions. They may be addicted to the ideas, but we can do something about it. You’ll find hope in this message!

Slide 5
Unlocking the Growth Formula: Proven Strategies to Scale Your Youth Ministry

Anthony Vargas

Fact: Healthy things grow. So how can you take your Youth Ministry to the next level numerically? Is it more leaders? Is it a better system? What if it was just as simple as a new sermon series? In this breakout, youth ministry leaders who are wanting more will discover 10 techniques to catapult themselves into a fresh season of growth. 

Slide 5
Cultural Relevance Is Always Relevant

Tega Faafa

Current culture reveals students are in need of love, acceptance, friendship, affirmation, and mentorship. But youth ministries have all of the tools needed to point students to the One who has all they need. It’s less about what we say and more about how we say it. 

Slide 5
Student of Your Student Ministry: Training You Can Take Home 

Nathan Howard

This session will unpack the latest trends in Gen Z/Alpha research, so that you may discern the next steps for your students to become disciples. Gather tools you can take home to train your leaders to be better equipped to mentor, train, and teach your students about following Jesus. 

Slide 5
Intentional Discipleship in 30 Seconds 

Taylor Johnson

Discipleship isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. We need to be intentional about regularly looking for teachable moments at home, in the car, on the ball field, at the grocery store, and at the park (Deut. 6). If Sunday morning discipleship is “macro discipleship,” this model is “micro discipleship,” which works in tandem with other discipleship programs at church to build a foundation of faith for children and families.

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Breakout 4

Tuesday, October 10, 2:00 p.m.

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How to Develop Leaders as a Busy Minister 

Jeremy Echols

Reality—it feels like you don’t have time to develop leaders. Truth—you can’t do everything on your own. Let’s discuss why developing the leaders within your ministry is biblical, essential, and it IS possible!

Slide 5
Faith Filled Futures: The Importance of Planting Theological Truths in Kids Ministry

Kevin Jones

In kids ministry, we desire to build a foundation that leads to lifelong faithfulness to Scripture. Therefore, we must keep the supremacy, beauty, and practicality of God’s Word at the center of our discussion. In this session, we will look at God’s Word and the importance of it being the center of our ministry.

Slide 5
Captivate Their Learning Through Sensory Play

Shelly Taylor

We all understand children learn through their senses. This session will give a variety of practical ideas that you can implement to engage children throughout the session. We’ll cover fun activities for learning centers, group times, and even a rotational sensory experience room too!

Slide 5
Guiding Difficult Behavior: Behavior Management Strategies

Lauren Brown

Do you have kids in your ministry whose challenging behaviors frustrate even your most experienced volunteers? Maybe you’ve wondered if this child could have some form of special need. Come learn how to help your volunteers see every child as unique and special, and gain practical tips to increase connection and create safe environments for all kids to grow in their faith.

Slide 5
Confronting the Lies of Culture with VBS

Melita Thomas

“Did God really say…?” was the first time God’s truth was questioned and that same old twisted lie has been repackaged over and over ever since. VBS 2024 will take preschoolers, kids, students (yes, students!), and adults on a journey to Breaker Rock Beach to learn how to sift through the lies of culture and stand strong on the unchanging rock of God’s truth. Come get a sneak peek at what’s coming NEXT for the summer of 2024.

Slide 5
Understanding Childhood Grief and Loss

Shelly Melia

Children experience grief and loss differently than adults. This conference will help you see grief and loss through the eyes of a child and provide practical ideas for ministering to children and their families.

Slide 5
Removing the Fear of the Unknown with Individuals and Families Impacted by Disability

Tiffany McCullough

This session will help you remove the fear around “all things Special Needs” in churches. Some parents and families come with fear or hesitancy because of past “church hurt” and being mistreated; other ministers and church staff come with fear because they “don’t know what they don’t know.” This session will help to set you up for success in doing Special Needs Ministry the way I believe Jesus wants us to.

Slide 5
Discipleship Unleashed

Jameson Barker

It’s time we get back to discipling and unleashing our students to infinitely reproduce themselves NOW so that they are even more ready to do it when they have a family LATER. If we are willing to train preteens and students now, we will see the ripples for decades into the future. 

Slide 5
How to Promote Your Youth Ministry in a Healthy Way

Brian Preston

This session will help you learn to highlight and broadcast what God is doing in your student ministry that both honors Jesus and helps draw students and families into your ministry. 

Slide 5
Four Healthy and Four Unhealthy Practices in Leading a Ministry 

Kate Downing

Leadership comes down to how we practice. There are four unhealthy practices and four healthy practices that could right or wreck your ministry. Let’s identify the good and work to eliminate the bad so you and your youth ministry will thrive. 

Slide 5
My Family, My Ministry

Chad Higgins

Ministering to families starts with us. From the best children’s ministry to effective student ministry, it starts with you as a leader. Join us as we work through some specific examples of how you can celebrate and live out effective family ministry practices in your church and home.  

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Breakout 5

Wednesday, October 11, 9:00 a.m.

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Leveraging Your Leadership Style and Recruiting to Cover Your Weaknesses

Shelly Melia

We come to the leadership table with different strengths and weaknesses. The good news is that God can use a variety of people and personalities to accomplish His good work. This conference will help you discover and embrace your strengths while also helping you develop a strategy to cover for your weaknesses.

Slide 5
Church Communication, Outreach, and Community Building

Katie Allred

By enhancing church communications and outreach, we can better connect with the younger generation and foster a sense of belonging. Community-building activities can provide safe spaces for the next generation to connect and express themselves, promoting mental health and reducing feelings of isolation. These approaches can also help instill empathy, compassion, and mutual respect among children and teens, which they can carry into adulthood. 

Slide 5
Cultivating a Vibrant Preschool Ministry

Kimba Campbell

This breakout is designed to equip and empower preschool ministry leaders with the knowledge, skills, and passion to create a thriving preschool ministry. Through interactive discussions, attendees will discover 10 attributes that are vital to the life of their ministry. Let’s cultivate vibrant preschool ministries and sow the seeds of faith in the hearts of our precious children!

Slide 5
Effective Children’s Ministry in 2035

Matt Morgan

Think about this … 10 years ago Apple Music didn’t exist, DoorDash didn’t exist, and the name Alexa was just the 32nd most popular name for a baby girl! The rapid changes of the previous decade are strong proof that there is more change coming. Join us as we talk about Gen Z parents, Gen Alpha/Beta kids, and what effective children’s ministry might look like in 2035.

Slide 5
Providing Choices and Options for Preteens: How to Set Preteens Apart from the Younger Ages

Melissa Whitworth

Learn tips and strategies for creating a unique space that preteens can call their own. Whether your church is small or large, creating choices and options for preteens that are different from the younger students will allow you to minister to this unique age group in a more intentional way.

Slide 5
The Great Commission Isn’t Just for Adults: Equipping the Church and the Home for the Great Commission

Taylor Johnson

Missions is vital to the church. Missions programs and events are great, but these only scratch the surface of what we can do to incorporate missions into our children’s ministries. Programs and events should be the launching pad for educating children on how to live on mission. Missions isn’t just for missionaries; missions is for Christians—all Christians, all ages.

Slide 5
Why Your Discipleship Plan May Not be Working

Kathy Koch

You may be excited to have a discipleship program, but now disappointed that children and teens aren’t growing as much as you thought they would. The reasons may surprise you. Let’s analyze what may be going on by looking at five connected needs that drive wants, choices, actions, and attitudes. Small changes can make big differences. Dr. Kathy’s practical problem-solving approach will encourage you.

Slide 5
Multiplying Yourself

Jameson Barker

How to recruit the best volunteer leaders, equip them long term, and unleash them well in the NEXT phase of Student Ministry. 

Slide 5
If God So Loved the World, We Should Too

Tega Faafa

Helping youth ministry leaders understand how to best speak the language of students in a way that is both challenging and well received is hard. This session will give you tools to help you teach and relate. 

Slide 5
Gospel-centered Family Experiences

Danielle Bell

Help families learn grow, seek, and worship Jesus together. In this breakout, we will discover how to create experiences where learning begins together as families at church and then continues at home.

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Breakout 6

Wednesday, October 11, 10:00 a.m.

Slide 5
How to Survive When Doing More with Less

Jeremy Echols

Resources and budgets aren’t increasing at the same rate as ministry responsibilities and expectations. While we can’t wave a magic wand and change this reality, we can practice realistic steps to keep your ministry strong, avoid burnout, and move from surviving to succeeding.

Slide 5
Incorporating Digital Media in Your Church Ministries

Katie Allred

Digital media can effectively bridge the communication gap and resonate better with the tech-savvy generation. Through platforms like social media, YouTube, podcasts, etc. we can disseminate positive, inspiring messages to a wider audience. This also encourages next generation participation and engagement in ministry activities, making religion more accessible and appealing to them. 

Slide 5
Equipping and Empowering Volunteers

Brian Preston

When leaders know how to recruit, equip, and empower volunteers to lead kids and student ministries it can change and drive an entire church. 

Slide 5
Developing a Thriving KidMin Team

Jenni Carter

You can’t do it all yourself. This session will give you some great ideas to enlist, encourage, and empower volunteers to become thriving leaders in kids ministry.

Slide 5
Change the Perception from Babysitting to Teaching with Intentionality

Shelly Taylor

If someone walked up to your classroom door, would they know that Bible teaching happens here? Join us today to talk about changing the perception! It’s not just babysitting … we are teaching biblical truth intentionally and consistently to preschoolers in a manner that affects their conversation and changes the way they play! In this session, we’ll talk about communicating vision to the leaders and church at large as we change that perception together!

Slide 5
What Makes a Child Ready to Learn?

Tony Rankin

In order to learn, children must learn to manage their behaviors, to know when compliance is a good quality, to know how to be flexible, practice interacting with others, have self-determination, know how to verbalize feelings, and express themselves to the people around them. Learn how to help children be ready to learn.

Slide 5
More “Rescue Games” for Leaders

Mark Jones

Often we need a game to play that will help teach the material we are learning or stretch the teaching time when parents are running late.  This conference will put that list in your back pocket and make you a hero as you share it with other teachers. Be ready to play!

Slide 5
Must-Do’s in Special Needs Ministry

Tiffany McCullough

This session will cover essentials such as policies and procedures around safety and security, de-escalating challenging behaviors, designing sensory spaces and interactive classrooms, visual schedules, token boards, reward systems, and other things pertaining to activities, curriculum, schedules, re-directing problem behavior, reinforcing positive behavior, and establishing safety protocols.

Slide 5
Empowering and Unleashing Teenage Evangelists

Anthony Vargas

The difference between students knowing what they believe and owning what they believe is when they begin to share what they believe. This breakout will cover the following: How to break free from a quiet “student ministry faith” and turn up the faith volume; real life examples and stories of students sharing; best practice for success; building culture and momentum regarding evangelism; and tips and tricks for planning your first “Share Day.” 

Slide 5
Teaching To and For All Types of Teens

Kate Downing

Teaching is not just about what you want to say, but how your audience learns best. This session will help you consider the learning styles, backgrounds, techniques, and environments of teens in order to foster them to become lifelong learners and disciples.  

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Hotels

Slide 5
Hyatt Place
Nashville Franklin

650 Bakers Bridge Avenue
Franklin, TN 37067

Hotel Main Phone: 615-771-8900
Registration Number: N/A

Rooms still available!

Booking Link
Slide 5
AC Hotel
Nashville Brentwood

5007 Maryland Way
Brentwood, TN 37027

Hotel Main Phone: 615-370-9865
Registration Number: 888-236-2427

Booking Link
Slide 5
Courtyard Franklin
Cool Springs

2001 Meridian Blvd
Franklin, TN 37067

Hotel Main Phone: 615-778-0080
Registration Number: 615-778-0080

Booking Link
Slide 5
Drury Plaza Hotel
Nashville Franklin

1874 West McEwen Drive
Franklin, TN 37067

Hotel Main Phone: 615-435-0250
Registration Number: 800-378-7946

Booking Link
Slide 5
Embassy Suites by Hilton
Nashville South Cool Springs

820 Crescent Centre Drive
Franklin, TN 37067

Hotel Main Phone: 615-515-5151
Registration Number: 800-362-2779

Booking Link
Slide 5
Four Points by Sheraton
Nashville‑Brentwood

760 Old Hickory Boulevard
Brentwood, TN 37027

Hotel Main Phone: 615-964-5500
Registration Number: N/A

Booking Link
Slide 5
Hampton Inn
Nashville/Brentwood I‑65 South

5630 Franklin Pike Circle
Brentwood, TN 37027

Hotel Main Phone: 615-373-2212
Registration Number: 615-370-5040

Booking Link
Slide 5
Hampton Inn & Suites
Nashville/Franklin Cool Springs

7141 South Springs Drive
Franklin, TN 37067

Hotel Main Phone: 615-771-7225
Registration Number: N/A

Booking Link
Slide 5
Holiday Inn Express
Brentwood South–Cool Springs

8097 Moores Lane
Brentwood, TN 37027

Hotel Main Phone: 615-309-8860
Registration Number: N/A

Booking Link
Slide 5
Holiday Inn Franklin
Cool Springs

1738 Carouthers Parkway
Brentwood, TN 37027

Hotel Main Phone: 615-277-8700
Registration Number: 800-277-8700

Booking Link
Slide 5
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Nashville/Brentwood

5107 Peter Taylor Park
Brentwood, TN 37027

Hotel Main Phone: 615-377-3332
Registration Number: 615-377-3332

Booking Link
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Hyatt Place
Nashville Brentwood

202 Summit View Drive
Brentwood, TN 37027

Hotel Main Phone: 615-661-9477
Registration Number: 888-591-1234

Booking Link
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Tru by Hilton Franklin
Cool Springs Nashville

1001 Knoll Top Lane
Franklin, TN 37067

Hotel Main Phone: 615-814-6440
Registration Number: 800-814-6440

Booking Link
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See you in October!
Register Now

Copyright © 2023· Lifeway Christian Resources·All Rights Reserved

Tiffany McCullough

Since 2016, Tiffany has served as the Special Needs Minister over the Embrace Special Needs Ministry at Brentwood Baptist Church. Prior to joining church staff, Tiffany worked in the local public school system for 15 years as a Special Education Teacher, a Behavior Specialist, and finally as an Assistant Principal. Tiffany holds degrees in Special Education from MTSU and Vanderbilt University, and an additional Master’s degree in Educational Leadership & Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University. Other things that bring Tiffany joy are gardening, playing violin, spending time at a fun local restaurant or going to a concert at the Ryman or the Schermerhorn Symphony Center with family and friends.

Katie Allred

Katie Allred (MA, University of Florida) is an entrepreneur, professor, and thought leader in faith, technology, and church communications. Katie is the founder of ChurchCommunications.com, where she helps over 20,000 churches with their marketing and branding.

Kayla Stevens & Isaac Kierstead

Kayla Stevens is the Publishing Team Leader for Hyfi Kids and Preschool at Lifeway and a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has contributed to several books and Bible studies including What about Kids Ministry? Practical Answers to Questions about Kids Ministry (2018), What is a Christian? Answers for Kids (2018), and Behold Your King (2020). She also served as the Content Editor for Flip the Script (2022). Kayla has been serving in Kids Ministry for over 15 years and has a deep passion for empowering children to own their faith and grow deeper in the joy of Jesus.

Isaac Kierstead is the Digital Content Specialist for Hyfi Kids and Preschool. Isaac has been working in kids ministry for the last 15 years and whether it was as a camp pastor, kids minister, or VBS graphic designer, he loves pairing the gospel and fun! Isaac has been married five years to his wife, Rachel, and lives in Columbia, Tennessee.

Steve Cuss

Steve is the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs and the founder of www.capablelife.me, an online community helping you to function as a calm, aware, present human in the work place and home place. Steve has served in a variety of pastoral roles for 26 years, the majority of those years as a lead pastor. He is also proud to be a strategic partner with Compassion International, Leadership Network, and Missio Alliance.

Steve was privileged to grow up in Perth, Western Australia, in an adventurous family of origin. After moving to the United States for theological study, he married Lisa and they have two sons and a daughter, in whom they take great delight. When Steve is not working, you can find him laughing with his family, knee-deep in a trout stream, or trying a guitar he cannot afford at a local music store.

Danielle Bell

With over 26 years of KidMin experience, Danielle possesses a great fervor for sharing, discipling, and shepherding children and families with the message of Jesus Christ. Danielle is a well-respected leader and trainer in the area of Children’s Ministry and has spoken regionally at local churches and nationally at children’s ministry conferences. She is a writer for both curriculum and ministry resources including: “God’s Brave Girl” (Lifeway), “The Gospel God’s Plan for Me” (Lifeway), and the “Children’s Ministry Volunteer Handbook” (Outreach). Danielle is the lead instructor for the Children’s Ministry Certificate at beadisciple.com. Danielle serves as Minister to Children at Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, TN. Danielle’s blog, dandibell.com, is one of the top 100 kid’s ministry blogs.

Kimba Campbell

Kimba Campbell serves as the Lifeway Kids Publishing Team Leader for Bible Studies for Life. Before coming to Lifeway, she served on church staff for over 18 years in Texas, Georgia, California, and Tennessee. Kimba is a Texas Aggie (Gig ‘Em Aggies!) and also earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She and her husband, Paul, stay busy with their three boys.

Kate Downing

Kate has been serving in Student and Girls Ministry for the last thirteen years at churches in Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma. She graduated with a degree in Biblical Studies from Liberty University and a Masters of Religious Education from Liberty School of Divinity. Kate currently serves as the Girls Minister at BattleCreek Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Brian Preston

Brian has served in a variety of churches and has spent the last 5 years overseeing Students and Kids Ministry for BattleCreek Church (a multi-site church) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Brian loves the local church and NextGen ministry and is passionate about seeing kids and students reached with the gospel and growing in their relationship with Christ. Brian and his wife, Jenn, have been married 12 years and adopted two children, Selah and Ezekiel.

Jameson Barker

Jameson and his wife, Mallory, have one son, Ridge. They are constantly looking for adventure and shared experiences that create meaningful memories. In his own time, Jameson loves to swim, bike, and run. He has been on staff with Prestonwood Students at Prestonwood Baptist Church for the past eight and a half years. Before moving to Texas, he served at a church in Southern Indiana for over 10 years. He received his Masters in Youth Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Shelly Melia

Dr. Shelly Melia serves as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry and Professor of Childhood Education at Dallas Baptist University. She oversees the Master of Arts in Family Ministry and Master of Arts in Children’s Ministry. Prior to coming to DBU she served as a children’s minister for over 25 years in churches in Oklahoma, Florida, and Texas. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and sees a few clients each month at Promises Community Ministries in Burleson, Texas.

Melita Thomas

Melita Thomas is the Team Leader for Kids Ministry Training and Events at Lifeway. She also serves as the Vacation Bible School Specialist. Melita holds a masters degree in Christian education and is a passionate advocate for children’s ministry in the local church. Melita enjoys teaching children at her church, spending time with her two wonderful nephews, and cheering on the Nashville Predators hockey team.

Shelly Taylor

Shelly began her career and love for education as a public school teacher. She has passionately served children and families for over 27 years and currently leads the Preschool & Children Ministries at First Baptist Church in Dallas. Shelly earned her Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education and her Master of Arts in Christian Education from Dallas Baptist University. Her passion is to develop leaders to teach biblical truth intentionally and consistently to children, building strong foundations of faith. As an experienced conference leader, writer and developer of i-Campus Kids, Shelly loves the Lord with all of her heart and seeks to introduce boys and girls to Jesus Christ.

Shelly has been married to her husband, Tye, for over 30 years and loves her role as wife and mother of 3. After raising her children, she is now enjoying every minute as a grandmother of 5!

Jeremy Echols

Jeremy Echols is the Director of Family Ministry at The Glade Church just outside Nashville, Tennessee. Jeremy’s ministry calling is to make the message of Christ clear in the lives of kids and to pour into those who love on kids. Before coming to The Glade Church, Jeremy served as a volunteer in his local church with kids ministry, young married couples, and mens groups and was a leader with Lifeway’s CentriKid Camps for almost two decades. Jeremy enjoys reading and going out on the lake with his family to kayak. Jeremy & Emily have been married almost 22 years and they have a daughter, Madison, who loves puppies, playing outside, and cheerleading.

Taylor Johnson

Taylor serves as the Next Generation and Children’s Minister at the Church at Station Hill. Taylor is a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Taylor has served in children’s ministry for over 20 years and is passionate about partnering with leaders and families to equip the next generation. Taylor, his wife Jenai, and their three kids live in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Nathan Howard

Nathan serves as Project Coordinator for Lifeway Students. He has served in student ministry for 15 years in a variety of roles from volunteer leader and student pastor in the local church to working with student pastors at the associational level. “Producer Nathan” helps facilitate student ministry training through the podcast, Youth Ministry Booster, and also served on FUGE camp staff for six years—including four as camp director—before joining the team full time. Nathan enjoys baking, video games, and officiating sports.

Anthony Vargas

Anthony serves as the Student Pastor at Trinity Baptist Church located in Oklahoma City. He has had the privilege of teaching teenagers for over a decade now and is passionate about seeing lost teenagers becoming found teenagers who find more lost teenagers. On his off day, you can find him with his family in a local coffee shop enjoying a pour over.

Jenni Carter

Jenni Carter joined the state missionary staff of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board in August 2013 and currently serves as the NextGen Kids Consultant. Prior to this position Jenni served as a Children’s Minister in the Middle Georgia area for 24 years. She is a gifted conference leader and enjoys equipping Kids Ministry leaders.

Tony Rankin

Tony Rankin wears many hats—storyteller, author, clinical therapist, minister of pastoral care, father, grandfather, husband, and collector of baseball and train memorabilia.

Jeremy Carroll & Crystal Mazzuca

Jeremy Carroll is the Lifeway Kids Ministry Publishing Manager for VBS and Discipleship resources. Jeremy has been active in local church ministry for nearly 20 years and before coming to Lifeway served churches in Tennessee, Texas, and Alabama. Jeremy earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. A Middle Tennessee native, he and his family live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

With over 20 years in NextGen ministry, Crystal Mazzuca is passionate about encouraging and equipping people to reach the next generation for Christ. She is a Lifeway Content Editor and Resource Specialist for Hyfi. Crystal loves serving her local church and the global Church community, creating content that inspires and develops leaders, and hanging out with young people whenever she can. She lives in Olympia, Washington with her 3 sons and enjoys the beach, reading, and playing video and board games.

Matt Morgan

Matt Morgan serves as Campus Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Maumelle, Arkansas. Prior to this role, he served in children’s ministry for nearly two decades. He loves seeing people of all ages understand the richness of the gospel. He is husband to Dana and dad to Maggie and Macy.

Chad Higgins

Chad lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma with his wife of 15 years, Martha, and their daughter, Malia. He has served the church in Oklahoma since 2003 in roles such as youth pastor, small group pastor, and campus pastor. Chad is the co-founder of Youth Ministry Booster and is a Parent Ministry Specialist at Lifeway. Chad’s hobbies include starting new hobbies. He once set his middle school’s unofficial record of most slices of pizza eaten at a CiCi’s pizza after a track meet.

Melissa Whitworth 

Melissa Whitworth is the Preteen Ministry Director at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. God has blessed this preteen ministry over the years and it has grown to become a thriving and exciting ministry within the church. Melissa has been happily married to John for almost 25 years and they have two adult children, Andrew (recently married to Kaylin) and Allison.

Landry Holmes 

Landry Holmes is the Manager of Lifeway Kids Ongoing Bible Studies and is a graduate of Howard Payne University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Author of It’s Worth It: Uncovering How One Week Can Transform Your Church, co-author of Every Age, Every Stage: Teaching God’s Truth at Home and Church, and co-editor of the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids, Landry is a church leader, writer, workshop facilitator, and publisher. He teaches kids at his church in Middle Tennessee, where his wife, Janetta, is the Preschool Minister. They enjoy spending time with their two adult sons and their wives, and spoiling their grandchildren.

Mark Jones

Mark Jones serves as the Children’s Pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City where he loves and teaches preschoolers, children, and their parents. Mark enjoys speaking all around the nation to train children’s ministry leaders and parents. He is the founder of Mr. Mark’s Classroom, an online leadership development and teacher-resource company which helps overwhelmed children’s ministry leaders get clarity, confidence, and resources to help them reach kids for Jesus, equip kids with Bible skills, and teach kids to serve others.

Kathy Koch

With a passion for being an influence and for helping build strong and healthy families, Dr. Kathy Koch, (pronounced “cook”) writes (6 books and counting) and speaks (a lot and often) on a wide range of topics that are both timeless and current. Her humorous and easy-to-learn-from speaking style, foundational wisdom, and practical and relevant details leave her audiences empowered with strategies to navigate the challenges of raising and teaching children. She warmly speaks with compassion and understanding, never shying away from tough topics in our current culture. Her messages are always beautifully woven with Biblical truth and hope. With audiences ranging in age from 10 to 100, Kathy has a unique gift of engaging, entertaining, and teaching them all. She attributes much of her excellence to the three degrees she earned from Purdue University, including a Ph.D. in reading and educational psychology. She taught second graders, coached middle schoolers, was a tenured associate professor of education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and finally a school board member before becoming a full-time conference and keynote speaker in 1991. Dr. Kathy founded Celebrate Kids, Inc., in 1991 and co-founded Ignite the Family in 2018. It is now the conference ministry of Celebrate Kids.

Zac Workun

Zac currently serves as the Student Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Students. Zac is also the co-founder and network lead for Youth Ministry Booster. Zac is a voracious reader, avid gamer, car-camper, folk musician, black coffee-drinker, beard aficionado. Enneagram 7 & ENFP. He loves to eat breakfast food at new places with his wife Karen and two wild boys Isaiah & Gideon. For 19+ years, Zac has served on staff at local churches in Oklahoma and North Carolina to oversee middle school, high school and college-aged ministries. Zac received his undergraduate education from Oklahoma Baptist University and his Master’s of Divinity from Duke University.

Lauren Brown

Lauren Brown is the Children and Family Minister at Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. She has a degree in Elementary and Special Education, and will soon graduate with a masters in Family and Special Needs Ministry. Lauren is married to her husband of 20 years, Huey, and they have three children, Gordon (17), Jack (15), and Kate (13). The Lord called Lauren into ministry at a young age and she has spent the last 17 years in full time Children’s Ministry. Lauren has a heart for watching children grow in their love and knowledge of who God is, as well as seeing families thrive in discipleship at home.

Jennie Ross

Jennie Ross is the Children’s Director at ClearView Baptist Church. She is a graduate of James Madison University and holds a masters degree from Union University. Jennie loves to share her experiences with other churches desiring to reach their communities. She lives in Franklin, TN with her husband, Mark, and two daughters.

Crystal Mazzuca

With over 20 years in NextGen ministry, Crystal Mazzuca is passionate about encouraging and equipping people to reach the next generation for Christ. She is a Lifeway Content Editor and Resource Specialist for Hyfi. Crystal loves serving her local church and the global Church community, creating content that inspires and develops leaders, and hanging out with young people whenever she can. She lives in Olympia, Washington with her 3 sons and enjoys the beach, reading, and playing video and board games.

Klista Storts

Klista Storts serves as a Content Editor with Lifeway Christian Resources VBS resources. She has been a keynote speaker and conference leader for kids ministry conferences around the country over the past 25 years. Prior to coming to Lifeway, Klista served for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and at churches in Oklahoma and Tennessee.  She has a passion for equipping and coming alongside leaders as they build a spiritual foundation in young children.

Kevin Jones

Kevin M. Jones is the Dean of the School of Education at Cedarville University. He also serves as the Managing Editor for Lifeway’s The Gospel Project. Kevin is a graduate of Kentucky State University, two-time graduate of the University of Kentucky, and earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Spalding University. He began his career as a first grade teacher and has taught in various K–12 and post-secondary settings. Kevin currently serves as a pastor at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. His longing is to see fathers build resilient sons and to see Christian teachers and leaders influence the lives of students nationally and internationally for the glory of God. He and his high school sweetheart, Demica, have three children: Kennedi, Kevin Jr, and Karsynn.

Ken Braddy

Ken Braddy is a 30-year veteran of local church education and discipleship ministry who serves as Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School. In addition to being a respected trainer, author, blogger, podcaster, Ken is also a group leader at Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Jana Magruder

Jana Magruder serves as Strategic Initiatives Director of Lifeway Kids in Nashville. With a background in education, publishing and ministry, she loves championing the local church to help families disciple kids of all ages. Jana and her husband Michael are native Texans planted in Tennessee and love to explore both states with their three big kids.

Jay Hardwick

Jay Hardwick serves as Senior Pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville, TN where he has served since December 2020. A native of South Carolina, he is a graduate of North Greenville University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently a doctoral student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Jay is passionate about leading people to follow Jesus and to engage in His mission in the world. His passion shows up in his preaching, his personal investment in making disciples, and in developing the next generation of ministry leaders. In addition to leading Forest Hills, Jay serves as Camp Pastor each summer for Fuge/StudentLife camps and speaks regularly in conferences and on college campuses. Having answered the call to vocational ministry in high school, Jay loves investing in college, student and NextGen ministries. 

Jay and his wife of 23 years, Lara Beth, have three daughters and live in Nashville. He enjoys traveling with his family, playing golf, drinking good coffee and cheering on their favorite sports teams—Go Gamecocks, Cubs, Preds, and Titans! 

Alexandra Hoover

Alexandra Hoover is a wife, mother of three, sought-out speaker and best-selling author of Eyes Up: How to Trust God’s Heart by Tracing His Hand. She is passionate about communicating the beauty and hope of the gospel, whether through writing or speaking, online or in person. Her words spur people on to hope, healing and their mission. She has the privilege of serving as a ministry leader at her local church and spends her days loving on her family, dancing with her kids, and living on mission right where God has her. Connect with her at alexandravhoover.com or on social media @alexandravhoover. 

Chuck Peters

Chuck Peters is Director of Lifeway Kids. A graduate of Columbia Bible College, Chuck, and his wife, Cris, have served in Student and Children’s Ministry for many years. Before his role at Lifeway, Chuck had a prolific career in television and video production. He is a 3-time Emmy Award Winning producer, director, writer and on-screen talent. He is driven to equip and inspire ministry leaders. 

Ben Trueblood

Ben Trueblood serves as the Director of Student Ministry for Lifeway and has served in student ministry for over 20 years. In addition to his role at Lifeway, Ben is involved in training, consulting, and speaking to student ministries throughout the U.S. He is driven by a desire for student ministries to expand God’s Kingdom, to see the lives of students transformed by the gospel, and to produce students who shape the culture in which they live. 

Ben and his wife Kristen have four young children. In his free time, Ben enjoys family, hunting, CrossFit, and the St. Louis Cardinals. You can follow Ben on Instagram and Twitter at: @bentrueblood. 

Travis Cottrell

For over 30 years, Travis Cottrell has been answering the call of God on his life as an artist, songwriter, worship leader, author, and arranger. With more than 30 published solo recordings and musicals to his credit, Travis has long been a respected creative in the worship leading and Christian music publishing world. Since his ministry began, he has amassed 26 Dove Award nominations and won twice, including one for the critically acclaimed Jesus Saves Live. Three of his projects have peaked at #1 on the Christian music charts. He has written and recorded with countless artists crossing many musical genres, including Garth Brooks, Amy Grant, Mercy Me, CeCe Winans, Natalie Grant, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Alan Jackson, Michael W Smith, NF, and more. His most recent projects have partnered him with such producer greats as Tommee Proffit, Cody Fry, Nathan Nockels, Jeff Pardo and Brown Bannister.  

Travis has written and arranged projects for the local church, has authored several books, and has performed and recorded in world renowned places such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and Abbey Road. In 2013, he received the coveted Encore Award from his alma mater, Belmont University, given to alumni in recognition of achievements in the field of music. 

This year, Travis will celebrate a great milestone in ministry: 25 years of serving alongside Beth Moore as worship leader for Living Proof Ministries. Together with Beth, he has ministered to millions of people, in all 50 states and across the world.  

Travis also serves as Worship Pastor at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN, where he serves with his wife, Angela. Together, they have 3 children—Jack (and his wife Samantha), Lily, and Levi. 

www.traviscottrell.com

One Common

One Common is an energetic and lively Electronic/Pop Christian brother duo with a youthful sound appealing to the rising generation while also attracting older generations. One Common is comprised of 2 brothers—Carlos and Michael—who exhibited musical gifting from an early age. What started as singing their feelings as toddlers grew into a more profound outlet for not only expressing their personal journeys through music but expressing the irreplaceable love they have for Christ Jesus.

Their career began in early 2016 when their dad felt the Lord calling their family to take a leap of faith and minister through music across the country. The family sold everything, crammed into an RV, and hit the road to spread the Gospel, with no set destination in mind. Only one purpose: to bring the love and truth of Jesus to as many people as they could.

Through this experience, they not only grew in their faith, but also developed their own musical style which would best be described as synth-pop with future bass and dance influences. With infectious anthems and earnest lyrics, each performance serves as a celebration of God’s glory and a testament to His faithfulness. One Common exudes a unique, unforgettable spirit through each song, proving the best plans for our lives aren’t ones we can map ourselves. 

One Common has played alongside some of Christian music’s biggest names: Zach Williams, Unspoken, CAIN, Capital Kings, Kutless, Tedashii, Travis Greene, and Cade Thompson. They have also experienced huge online success, with their music earning over 3 million streams to date.

One Common, now resides in Nashville, Tennessee.  

First Name Last Name

Drew Dixon is the publishing team leader for all the Lifeway Students ongoing curriculum. He also co-founded and served as the Chief of Content for Love Thy Nerd, a unique 501c3 nonprofit serving geeks and nerds. Prior to that I was Editor-in-chief of GameChurch.com. Regular writer for WORLD Magazine, Christian Research Journal, Think Christian, and Christ and Pop Culture, Lifeway Group Ministry, Lifeway Church Leaders, Lifeway Group Ministry, and The Gospel Project. Written previously for Christianity Today, Relevant Magazine, and Paste Magazine.

No More Raw Chicken: Bible Teaching for Kids

Be inspired and equipped to teach preschoolers, children, and students the Bible in creative, fun ways. We may only get one Sunday, one Wednesday, one event, one opportunity to plant the seeds that can change eternity. Come learn how to make it happen and how to equip those you lead to do just that.

Chuck Peters

Chuck Peters is the Director of Lifeway Kids. A graduate of Columbia Bible College, Chuck, and his wife, Cris, have served in Student and Children’s Ministry for many years. Before his role at Lifeway, Chuck had a prolific career in television and video production. He is a 3-time Emmy Award Winning producer, director, writer and on-screen talent. He is driven to equip and inspire ministry leaders.

Chuck Peters

Chuck Peters is the Director of Lifeway Kids. A graduate of Columbia Bible College, Chuck, and his wife, Cris, have served in Student and Children’s Ministry for many years. Before his role at Lifeway, Chuck had a prolific career in television and video production. He is a 3-time Emmy Award Winning producer, director, writer and on-screen talent. He is driven to equip and inspire ministry leaders. 

Stephanie Chase

Stephanie Chase has been married to Rick Chase for 30 years. They have 3 children—Nicole (29), Tori (27), and Michael (24), and two amazing grandchildren ages 4 and 8 months. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University and received her master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Stephanie loves the Lord, her family, and people and is passionate about developing leaders and raising up the next generation of believers through writing, speaking, and serving! She has worked in Education and Kids Ministry as a teacher, director, writer, and trainer for over 20 years. She currently serves as the Kids Minister at Champion Forest Baptist Church. For fun, she loves to run, eat ice cream, read, and play outside!

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Ben Trueblood

Ben Trueblood has over 20 years of student ministry experience, 14 of which were spent in the local church as a student pastor. In addition to his role at LifeWay, he is involved in training, consulting, and speaking to student ministries throughout the U.S. and has authored three books. Ben and his wife Kristen have four children. He enjoys spending time alone in a duck blind, racking up miles in Nike Run Club, drinking an ice cold Coke Zero, collecting random hobbies, and afternoons watching Cardinals baseball.

Ben Trueblood

Ben Trueblood serves as the Director of Student Ministry for Lifeway and has served in student ministry for over 20 years. In addition to his role at Lifeway, Ben is involved in training, consulting, and speaking to student ministries throughout the U.S. He is driven by a desire for student ministries to expand God’s Kingdom, to see the lives of students transformed by the gospel, and to produce students who shape the culture in which they live. 

Ben and his wife Kristen have four young children. In his free time, Ben enjoys family, hunting, CrossFit, and the St. Louis Cardinals. You can follow Ben on Instagram and Twitter at: @bentrueblood. 

Jana Magruder

Jana Magruder serves as the Strategic Initiatives Director of Lifeway Kids. She is a Baylor graduate and offers a wealth of experience and passion for kids ministry, education, and publishing. She is the author of Kids Ministry that Nourishes and Life Verse Creative Journal, which she co-authored with her teenage daughter. She and her husband, Michael, along with their three children reside in Nashville.

Katy Boatman

Katy Boatman is the author of You Can Rest: 100 Devotions to Calm Your Heart and Mind and lives in Nashville, TN with her mini goldendoodle. She’s on staff with IF:Gathering, but her favorite role is being an aunt to Shelby, Blake, and Ellie. Katy has spent fifteen years mentoring girls through student ministry, and she is passionate about helping them understand who God is and reminding them they are not alone. If she’s not writing or walking her dog, you can typically find Katy eating Mexican food with her friends! You can connect with Katy on Instagram: @katyboat. 

Ben Mandrell

Ben Mandrell is the 10th president of Lifeway Christian Resources. Prior to joining Lifeway, Ben pastored churches in Colorado and Tennessee. Ben and his family moved to the Denver area in 2014 to plant Storyline Fellowship in partnership with the North American Mission Board and First Baptist Church in Orlando, FL. The church launched in February 2015 and grew to 1,600 in weekly attendance in four years. In its third year, Storyline voted to quadruple its giving through the Cooperative Program, becoming one of the top 10 churches in the state giving through the Cooperative Program. Before planting Storyline Fellowship, Ben served as senior pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, TN, from 2006-2013, leading the church to grow from 1,800 to 2,600 in weekly attendance.   

A native of Tampico, Illinois, Mandrell graduated from Anderson (Indiana) University in 1998. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Ben and his wife, Lynley, have been married since 2001 and have four children: Ava, Max, Miles, and Jack. 

Zac Workun, Anthony Vargas, Tony Bianco and Crystal Mazzuca

Zac Workun currently serves as the Student Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Students. Zac is also the co-founder and network lead for Youth Ministry Booster. Zac is a voracious reader, avid gamer, car-camper, folk musician, black coffee-drinker, beard aficionado. Enneagram 7, and ENFP. He loves to eat breakfast food at new places with his wife, Karen, and two wild boys, Isaiah and Gideon. For 15+ years, Zac has served on staff at local churches in Oklahoma and North Carolina to oversee the middle school, high school, and college-aged ministries. Zac received his undergraduate education from Oklahoma Baptist University and his Master’s of Divinity from Duke University.

Anthony Vargas currently serves as the Student Pastor at the North Campus of Prestonwood where he’s been for over five years. He’s had the privilege of serving students for over a decade while helping other Youth Pastors by writing eBooks and hosting the Youth Pastor Tips Podcast. He’s been married to his wife, Bailee, for over eight years and they have one son, Oliver.

Tony Bianco is the Student Minister at Houston’s First Baptist Church and has been in ministry for 15+ years. Tony is married to his high school sweetheart, Diamend, and together they have two amazing kids. Tony has a MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a concentration in Student Ministry. Tony leads a ministry team and is a nationwide speaker who teaches students, parents, and ministry leaders on technology, discipleship, and leadership. Tony’s desire is to see students and families have King Hearts and live Kingdom Lives!

Crystal Mazzuca is the Director of Kids’ Ministry at Westwood Baptist Church in Olympia, WA, INCM coach, blogger, and freelance writer. She’s done youth ministry in five cities, including two in Swaziland, Africa. Crystal has a strange love of video games, comic books, and ninjas, which typically have some influence on the stories she writes.

Danielle Bell

Danielle has over 25 years of kidmin experience and possesses a great fervor for sharing, discipling, and shepherding children and families. Danielle is a well-respected leader and trainer in the area of Children’s Ministry and has spoken regionally at local churches and nationally at children’s ministry conferences. She is a curriculum writer for The Gospel Project for Kids and has also written the following resources: “God’s Brave Girl” Leader and Student Guides (Lifeway), “The Gospel God’s Plan for Me” Leader and Student Guides (Lifeway), and the Younger KidMin chapter for “Children’s Ministry Volunteer Handbook” (Outreach). Danielle is the lead instructor for the Children’s Ministry Certificate at beadisciple.com. In 2010, Danielle was named one of the top 20 Children’s Ministry Leaders to watch by “Children’s Ministry Magazine.” You can follow her on her blog at dandibell.com.

Jana Magruder & Stephanie Salvatore

Jana Magruder serves as the Strategic Initiatives Director of Lifeway Kids. She is a Baylor graduate and offers a wealth of experience and passion for kids ministry, education, and publishing. She is the author of “Kids Ministry that Nourishes” and “Life Verse Creative Journal,” which she co-authored with her teenage daughter. She and her husband, Michael, along with their three children reside in Nashville.

Stephanie Salvatore has worked at Lifeway Christian Resources for over 25 years in a variety of areas, ranging from student ministry to magazines, to app development. She has served as the creative director for Lifeway Kids for 10 years. When she isn’t working, chasing chickens around her farm, or collecting vinyl, you can find her volunteering in her church’s Kids Ministry.

Ministering to Community in Times of Crisis

Are you prepared to minister to your community during a time of significant crisis? The truth is that very few churches are prepared when a community-wide crisis hits. This conference will feature the wisdom of several leaders who have “been there, done that” and gone on to make it a focus of their ongoing ministry. No one can predict when a tragedy will burst onto the scene of a church or community. However, all of us can strive to be better prepared to minister in these difficult circumstances.

Flipping the Script: Discipleship in Relationship

True discipleship only occurs in the context of personal relationship. In Bible times, instruction took place as disciples walked behind a Rabbi, listening to his instruction and observing his life. Paul said it like this, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” In this session, you will discover why relationships are essential to a healthy ministry, uncover 4 key relationships you need to foster in your churches, and learn how to equip volunteers with skills that will enable them to cultivate influential relational connections more effectively with the kids they lead.

Life as a Minister: Facing the Challenges of Ministry with the Hope of the Gospel

The call to ministry brings unique challenges that can make us feel overwhelmed and underprepared. Is it even possible to balance family, personal growth, and the obligations of ministry? If you’re facing these challenges and struggling to stay motivated, join us as we discuss five of the biggest challenges faced in ministry and how the gospel gives us power and hope to continue serving where God has called us to serve. This session will also include a Q&A.

Zac Workun & Nathan Howard

Zac Workun currently serves as the Student Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Students. Zac is also the co-founder and network lead for Youth Ministry Booster. Zac is a voracious reader, avid gamer, car-camper, folk musician, black coffee-drinker, beard aficionado. Enneagram 7, and ENFP. He loves to eat breakfast food at new places with his wife, Karen, and two wild boys, Isaiah and Gideon. For 15+ years, Zac has served on staff at local churches in Oklahoma and North Carolina to oversee the middle school, high school, and college-aged ministries. Zac received his undergraduate education from Oklahoma Baptist University and his Master’s of Divinity from Duke University.

Nathan serves as Project Coordinator for Lifeway Students. and has served in student ministry for 15 years in a variety of roles from volunteer leader and student pastor in the local church to working with student pastors at the associational level. “Producer Nathan” helps facilitate student ministry training through the podcast, Youth Ministry Booster, and other outlets and also served on FUGE camp staff for six years, four as camp director, before joining the team full time. Nathan enjoys baking, video games, and officiating sports.

Sacred Space: Creating Environments, Rooms, and Events for Student Ministry

This session will explore ideas to reimagine and remake your student ministry gathering spaces that are inviting, creative, and memorable for worship, prayer, and teaching.

Jameson Barker

Jameson Barker and his wife, Mallory, have one son, Ridge. They are constantly looking for adventure and shared experiences that create meaningful memories. In his own time, he loves to swim, bike, and run. He has been on staff with Prestonwood Students at Prestonwood Baptist Church for the past seven and a half years. Before moving to Texas, he served at a church in Southern Indiana for over 10 years. He received his Masters in Youth Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

NextNow: Creating a Pipeline for High School Students to Lead

The best time for students to learn leadership is now. It is really important to not wait around until we begin to train up the new generation of student leaders now. This session will give you the framework and tools for building out a thriving leadership pipeline in your youth ministry.

Starting from Scratch: Engaging a New Generation in a Post-Christian World

For decades the Church has engaged the culture assuming some fundamental understanding of God, the Bible and church. In today’s post-Christian world, that can no longer be assumed. So, how do you engage a generation of kids where many truths and stories in scripture are unknown, and the very fabric of what they believe to be true in the world is antithetical to Christian teachings? In this session, you’ll discover new tools to reach the next generation with strategies that engage the kids walking in your door today.

The Importance of Understanding a Child's Brain … and Mind

The need for understanding God’s design for the growth and development of children has never been more needed than NOW! The mental health of children and adolescents has been declared a national crisis. Parents and teachers are struggling to make sense of what is best for children. In this session we’ll examine the most recent and relevant findings on how God wired the brain for learning and how connection and relationships are critical for children to thrive in all areas of development.

Change the Way Your Church Views Kids Ministry—Be Heard, Be Seen

Feeling overlooked? Do you feel like you’re leading a ministry that no one cares about except you? Decisions being made for your ministry without your buy-in or with no ownership from you? Learn how to grow your influence and make a BIG, POWERFUL difference in the leadership of your church and the congregation. Learn ways to be heard and seen and get your church and team understanding that Kids Ministry is where it’s at!

Scott Pace

R. Scott Pace is the Vice President of Undergraduate Studies, Dean of The College at Southeastern, and Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Preaching. He has authored many books ranging from theology to ministry and leadership to preaching including “Answering God’s Call,” “Student Ministry by the Book,” and the forthcoming book “Calling Out the Called” co-authored with Shane Pruitt. His greatest passion is for his family. He and his wife, Dana, have been married since 1999. They have four children—Gracelyn, Tyler, Tessa, and Cassie.

Calling Out the Called: Discipling Those Called to Ministry Leadership

How do you prepare, coach, and equip students in your ministry who feel called to ministry? This session will help you make plans to care for your called students.

Transitioning from Kids Ministry to Middle School

One of the most important batons to pass in ministry is from kids to student ministry. This panel discussion will focus on the best practices in welcoming new kids into your student ministry.

Understanding and Ministering to Today's Families

Society says the “ideal family” isn’t the reality for many of families we minister to today. Families look different, are overscheduled, are raised by grandparents or adoptive homes, and often don’t make church a priority. In this session, we’ll explore the needs of families and discover Christ-centered, practical ways to engage and minister to them so they are connected to the church body. This session will also include a Q&A.

All-in Parents: How to Help Mom and Dad Win at Home

Every great team knows how to win at home. This session is primed for church leaders to help parents and students and families win spiritually at home.

Amanda Meijas

Amanda Mejias serves as the Lifeway Girls Brand Specialist, which is just a super fun way of saying that she serves parents and leaders of teen girls. After serving on church staff for many years, she is passionate about building relationships and creating resources that equip the local church. Amanda has been married to her wonderful husband, Brandon, for five years and they have a daughter named Blakely. When she is not chasing her toddler around, Amanda is always down to hear a good joke, meet for coffee, and talk about her golden retriever.

Girls Ministry for All Youth Leaders

Every youth ministry is at least 50% girls. So how are we, as ministry leaders, making plans to minister to them well?

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Ministry Trends

Are you trying to copy the latest dog and pony show? How has pop culture influenced your ministry? Are you teaching biblical truth or chasing trends? In this session, we’ll explore tips for successful evaluation of resources and discover practical helps to avoid the dangers of ministry trends created by today’s culture.

What Every Children's Minister Should Know about Welcoming Students with Disabilities

If your ministry reflects your school district, it’s likely that 20% of your students have special needs, learning disabilities, and mental health diagnoses. In this session, learn how to identify students who need extra help and discover ways to support them.

Guiding Preschoolers to Gain the Most from Their Classroom Experience

Preschoolers can become loud and out of control unless the teacher knows how to guide the learning time. This conference will prepare you for creating an environment of safety and learning that everyone can enjoy each week.

Heidi Hesley

Heidi M. Hensley has been in full time ministry since 1995 and currently serves as the NextGen Pastor at Skyline Church in San Diego, California. She is passionate about serving the whole family as she works to build strong connections between parents, kids, and student ministries. Heidi has a master’s degree from Southern California Seminary and lives in San Diego with her husband and two grown sons.

NextGen Volunteer Strategy

Whether you lead one of the NextGen ministries at your church or all of them, we can agree that volunteers are element that can make or break your ministry. In this session, we’ll look at the top ways to recruit, develop, train, and retain leaders and consider the importance of a NextGen-wide strategy to support healthy handoffs between ministries.

Mark Jones

Mark Jones serves as the Children’s Pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City where he loves and teaches preschoolers, children, and their parents. Mark enjoys speaking all around the nation to train children’s ministry leaders and parents. He is the founder of Mr. Mark’s Classroom, an online leadership development and teacher-resource company which helps overwhelmed children’s ministry leaders get clarity, confidence, and the resources they need to win at reaching kids for Jesus, equipping kids with Bible skills and teaching kids to serve others.

Spice Up Your Teaching Time with Active Games Kids Love

This session will equip you with one full year of interactive games that get kids out of their seats and highly engaged. Your class will be the one every kid wishes they could attend. Be ready to play fast and take pictures!

Sandra Peoples

Sandra Peoples is one of the leading voices in the special-needs community. She is the author of three books and is currently a PhD student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of family ministry with an emphasis on inclusion for special needs families. Sandra and her husband Lee have two sons—David and James, who has level 3 autism. Sandra also has a sister with Down syndrome, which gives her a life-long perspective on being in a special-needs family. Her family lives outside of Houston, TX where Lee is a pastor and Sandra serves their church as the inclusion coordinator for special needs families. She also serves the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention as their special-needs ministry consultant, helping churches around the state start and strengthen their disability ministries.

Supporting Students with Invisible Disabilities

Students with invisible disabilities (autism, dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, etc.) often struggle at church. But as we take steps to get to know them and meet their needs, they will feel more comfortable and calm during their time with us. Learn how to support and encourage these students through suggestions for classroom management, specialized volunteers, and sensory-friendly spaces. This session will also include a Q&A.

Chad Higgins

Chad Higgins serves as the campus pastor at Summit Church in Oklahoma City, OK. He is also the co-founder of Youth Ministry Booster. He is passionate about seeing ministers grow both spiritually and professionally to serve the Kingdom well. Chad and his wife, Martha, have been married for 12 years and have a two-year-old daughter and Daniel Tiger enthusiast, Malia. Chad lives for Shark Week, sushi, and lazy Saturdays. Ask Chad about his latest secret venture or current audiobook obsession.

Connection & Communication: A Strategy for Building Better Relationships with Parents

When parents hear that they should be the primary disciple-maker in their kid’s life what do they really hear? This session will focus on helping churches and parents speak the same language as they work together to tackle this most important task. No more being frustrated as a staff member or overwhelmed as a parent!

Tony Bianco

Tony Bianco is the Student Minister at Houston’s First Baptist Church and has been in ministry for 15+ years. Tony is married to his high school sweetheart, Diamend, and together they have two amazing kids. Tony has a MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a concentration in Student Ministry. Tony leads a ministry team and is a nationwide speaker who teaches students, parents, and ministry leaders on technology, discipleship, and leadership. Tony’s desire is to see students and families have King Hearts and live Kingdom Lives!

Ben Trueblood and Nathan Howard

Our students (and us) are on their phones, tablets, and devices more than ever. Come discover strategies for reaching and discipling teens in a screen-addicted world.

Ben Trueblood and Nathan Howard

Ben Trueblood has over 20 years of student ministry experience, 14 of which were spent in the local church as a student pastor. In addition to his role at LifeWay, he is involved in training, consulting, and speaking to student ministries throughout the U.S. and has authored three books. Ben and his wife Kristen have four children. He enjoys spending time alone in a duck blind, racking up miles in Nike Run Club, drinking an ice cold Coke Zero, collecting random hobbies, and afternoons watching Cardinals baseball.

Nathan serves as Project Coordinator for Lifeway Students. and has served in student ministry for 15 years in a variety of roles from volunteer leader and student pastor in the local church to working with student pastors at the associational level. “Producer Nathan” helps facilitate student ministry training through the podcast, Youth Ministry Booster, and other outlets and also served on FUGE camp staff for six years, four as camp director, before joining the team full time. Nathan enjoys baking, video games, and officiating sports.

How to Become an Admin All-star: Creating a Balanced Calendar, Budget, and System for Student Ministry

Growing a healthy ministry is sometimes a matter having better systems, structures, and organization to empower leaders and find work/life balance. This session is for those who feel disorganized, overwhelmed, or want to check off some boxes in their ministry.