Kids Ministry Conference 2024 Highlight Video | SBCV
Kids Ministry Conference 2024 Highlight Video | SBCV
More than 750 people came out to two locations to be equipped at the 2024 Kids Ministry Conference. There were games, prizes, and training from speakers from Lifeway and across Virginia.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity in 2025 at one of three locations!

Registration will open in early January!

Lifeway Special Guest

Landry Holmes

Landry is the Manager of Lifeway Kids Ongoing Bible Studies, a resident of Nashville, TN, 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. He and his wife Janetta enjoy spending time with their two adult sons and their wives, and spoiling their six grandchildren./span>

Schedule

MORNING

9:00 AM • Registration & Register for Door Prizes
9:15 AM • Preview of Family Night Celebration
9:30 AM • Praise & Worship
9:50 AM • Breakout Session 1
11:00 AM • Breakout Session 2

AFTERNOON

12:00 PM • Lunch & Door Prizes
12:30 PM • Breakout Session 3
1:40 PM • Breakout Session 4
2:50 PM • Breakout Session
3:50 PM • Conference Concludes

Choose from over 40 breakout session options for equipping and training in Children’s Ministry and Vacation Bible School. Descriptions of each breakout session are included below.

9:50 AM • Breakout Session 1

A Really Big Ask: How to Attract, Assimilate, and Retain Volunteers
Led by Jayne Hoare

Location: Room 235

Kids + Ministry programs = VOLUNTEER NEED. Inviting volunteers to be part of what God is doing in your ministry requires strategy, asking the right questions, and shifting culture.

Apologetics 101 for Elementary Kids
Led by Landry Holmes

Location: Room 113

Are the kids in your elementary ministry ready to defend their faith? Scripture instructs us to be “ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15) Let’s examine how we can equip kids to be defenders of the faith.

Deep and Wide: Meaningful Bible Experiences for Combined Age Groups
Led by Sharon Stratmoen

Location: Room 202

Social scientists have researched what happens when children of different ages play and learn together. And guess what! There are advantages for kids of all ages! Come find out how your church will benefit from combined-age classrooms. Discover how preschool and elementary kids can effectively explore Bible truth together, and how, as their teacher, you can facilitate cooperation, community, and deep Bible discoveries.

Not IF, but WHEN: Preparing Your Church to Prevent and Respond to Abuse
Led by Kris Buckman

Location: Room 210 Right

Your church will inevitably face the issue of abuse, so it’s vital to be prepared. It’s not enough to protect children within your ministry; recognizing signs of external abuse is just as important. This breakout will cover five essential practices every church must implement to effectively care for vulnerable children.

VBS Directors
Led by Luke Long

Location: Room 300

Whether you are a first-time director or have served as one many times, find planning helps and resources of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, including helpful tips for planning and organizing the VBS of your choice.

VBS en Español
VBS Music
Led by Bethany Baldwin

Location: Worship Center

A preview of the music and motions of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, with tips on reinforcing the day’s Bible truth.

VBS Preschool
Led by Jan Frost

Location: Room 240

A detailed look at preschool material for Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, including teaching helps for use with any curriculum to make your preschoolers’ experience engaging.

Why Kid's Ministry is So Important
Led by Danielle Whitley

Location: Room 210 Left

Do you have a clear vision for children’s ministry? Kids’ ministry is far more than just another program—it’s a vital investment in the future of the church and its mission to raise up the next generation of Christ followers.

11:00 AM • Breakout Session 2

Dear God: Powerful Ways to Pay with Kids
Led by Jayne Hoare

Location: Room 202

Prayer is so much more than asking God for stuff. It’s an opportunity to talk with God, praise God, and join with others who trust and depend on God, too! Together, we’ll explore both traditional and unique prayer experiences that help children spend time with God. Along the way, we’ll rediscover how prayer helps kids and leaders grow in relationship with God and each other. You’ll walk away with fresh and fun prayers to implement in your children’s ministry. Plus, you’ll be reminded of the power of prayer in your own life and your ministry.

How Preschoolers Approach Learning God's Truth
Led by Landry Holmes

Location: Room 113

Teaching preschoolers God’s truth is fun and involves the whole child. Knowing and putting into practice how preschoolers process information can make the difference between effective Bible teaching and simply filling up the time with un-related activities.

Keeping Kids Focused
Led by Mike Summy

Location: Room 210 Left

Four years ago, Covid changed kids ministry in many ways including behavior. In this workshop we will examine methods to capture of the attention of the “covid kids” and strategies for teaching in the evolving classroom. We will give some practical ideas and attention-grabbing games and object lessons.

Moving Children from Hearers of the Word to Doers
Led by David Pinkham

Location: Room 235

James teaches believers to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Learn how to guide children to take the truth of your lessons and obey God’s Word out of a love for Christ.

Practical Tips and Tools for Developing a Special Needs Ministry
Led by Toy Hine

Location: Room Choir Room

In this session we will overview special needs ministry. Topics will include the best use of space, recruiting volunteers, curriculum, and loving a community created in God’s image.

VBS Children
Led by Niky Brooks

Location: Room 233

A preview of days one through five Bible study rotation for Lifeway’s VBS Magnified for students in grades 1-6, including teaching helps for use with any curriculum.

VBS Crafts
Led by Suzie Smith

Location: Room 112

A preview of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified recreation rotation, explaining games and transitional activities with tips to help rotation leaders reinforce the day’s Bible Truths.

VBS Decorating
Led by Bethany Baldwin

Location: Worship Center

A preview of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified decorating tips and ideas to transform your rooms or space to help engage students as they hear God’s Word and help remember the day’s Bible truth.

VBS en Español

12:30 PM • Breakout Session 3

How Do I Reach These Tweens?
Led by Susan Spaulding

Location: Room Choir Room

Zoom in to discover how 5th and 6th Grader Tweens learn to MAGNIFY the Lord through Bible Study, discipleship, worship, and community! Not as a child…not as a youth…but exactly as they were created to be: inbeTWEEN!

Not IF, but WHEN: Preparing Your Church to Prevent and Respond to Abuse
Led by Kris Buckman

Location: Room 210 Right

Your church will inevitably face the issue of abuse, so it’s vital to be prepared. It’s not enough to protect children within your ministry; recognizing signs of external abuse is just as important. This breakout will cover five essential practices every church must implement to effectively care for vulnerable children.

Sneak Peek at Group VBS True North
Led by Sharon Stratmoen

Location: Room 202

A detailed preview of Group Publishing’s VBS True North, an ultimate Alaskan adventure pointing children to Jesus, their faithful friend and True North.

Up-Aging and Implications for Elementary Kids Ministry
Led by Landry Holmes

Location: Room 113

Is it just our imagination or do today’s elementary 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.

Using Technology (Even A.I.) to Your Advantage in Ministry
Led by Jeff Mingee

Location: 210 Left

Technology can be a very useful tool in children’s ministry as in life. As we navigate in this digital world, let’s discuss ways to reach children, enhance outreach, and apply guardrails all while focusing on our purpose to share the gospel.

VBS Crafts
Led by Suzie Smith

Location: Room 112

A preview of the crafts rotation of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, with connection points to assist craft leaders in reinforcing the day’s Bible truth.

Worship Rally and Large Group Engagement
Led by Kristen McCarthy

Location: Worship Center

We were made to magnify God! As you plan for Worship Rally and events that gather families together, come learn ways to engage them and to magnify and proclaim the greatness of God.

Your Legacy Era: Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders
Led by Jayne Hoare

Location: Room 235

Take a cue from Moses, Aquilla and Priscilla, Paul, and Jesus, leaving a legacy of faithful service by investing in the generation of leaders coming up behind you.

1:40 PM • Breakout Session 4

But Wait! There's More! Effective VBS Follow Up
Led by Landry Holmes

Location: Room 113

VBS is over and you’re ready to hibernate. However, planning for effective VBS follow-up prior to the event helps maximize your VBS’s evangelistic and discipleship potential.

Deepening A Child’s Faith Through Song
Led by John Blair

Location: Room 210 Left

There is no question that when words and melody are put together, the memory of a song can stick with a child for a long time, so why not the truths of God’s Word? Even in our VBS music, are children merely making motions and singing words, or do they see the true God in what they are singing? In this breakout, we will examine how children grow in their faith through music and why worship is a MUST from an early age. We will also discuss the importance of training future worshippers and of being a multi-generational church. Then, learn practical ways that you can help children glorify God within the local church and their homes.

Discipling Kids in the Anxious Generation
Led by Kevin Chewning

Location: Room 210 Right

As we recognize how kids today are different, we must discover and utilize timeless biblical methods to disciple them to have lasting faith in Christ. Together, let’s chart a new map for child discipleship to reach this anxious generation.

How to Give a Clear Gospel Presentation
Led by Ty Slade

Location: Worship Center

The gospel never changes but it must be relatable. Learn how to give a clear and concise gospel presentation that can be given anywhere at any time.

Making Bible Lessons Come to Life
Led by David Pinkham

Location: Room 235

You only have a short time with your children. Make the time count by using dynamics in your lessons to bring them to life!

Staffing and Training for Special Needs Ministry Space
Led by Toy Hine

Location: Choir Room

Staffing and training are important for every special needs ministry. Since God has called you to invest in a population very dear tobHis heart, let’s discuss how to make this ministry the best.

VBS Children
Led by Niky Brooks

Location: Room 233

A preview of days one through five Bible study rotation for Lifeway’s VBS Magnified for students in grades 1-6, including teaching helps for use with any curriculum.

VBS Missions
Led by Kelly Little

Location: Room 240

A preview of the crafts rotation of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, with connection points to assist craft leaders in reinforcing the day’s Bible truth.

2:50 PM • Breakout Session 5

Bible Memory that Goes from the Head to the Heart
Led by Sharon Stratmoen

Location: Room 202

Help kids hide God’s Word in their hearts—for more than a few minutes. Discover how repetition, movement, and visual connections can help kids remember Bible verses AND understand why those ancient words matter in their everyday lives.

Bring Them In! Count the Youth in Volunteering
Led by Kristen McCarthy

Location: Room 112

The youth in your church have much to offer as volunteers for VBS. Let’s discuss the strengths and energy of our teens and the advantages of having them help children magnify God for His greatness during VBS.

Deepening A Child’s Faith Through Song
Led by Landry Holmes

Location: Room 210 Left

There is no question that when words and melody are put together, the memory of a song can stick with a child for a long time, so why not the truths of God’s Word? Even in our VBS music, are children merely making motions and singing words, or do they see the true God in what they are singing? In this breakout, we will examine how children grow in their faith through music and why worship is a MUST from an early age. We will also discuss the importance of training future worshippers and of being a multi-generational church. Then, learn practical ways that you can help children glorify God within the local church and their homes.

Engaging Parents Requires More Than a Take-Home Resource
Led by Kevin Chewning

Location: Room 210 Right

Are your Take Home resources just making it to the Minivan floor? Let’s discover some techniques and resources to engage parents in child discipleship. From language to parent-equipping events, you will learn how to increase the church-parent partnership in your church.

Theme Nights Part 2 and Service Projects Kids Can Do
Led by Niky Brooks

Location: Room 233

Kids love a fun Theme Night! Leave this breakout with a kid tested list of theme nights and service projects kids can do to use for midweek or summer programs.

VBS Directors
Led by Luke Long

Location: Room 300

Whether you are a first-time director or have served as one many times, find planning helps and resources of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, including helpful tips for planning and organizing the VBS of your choice.

VBS Preschool
Led by Jan Frost

Location: Room 240

A detailed look at preschool material for Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, including teaching helps for use with any curriculum to make your preschoolers’ experience engaging.

VBS Recreation
Led by Hunter Smith

Location: Room 235

A preview of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified recreation rotation, explaining games, and transitional activities with tips to help rotation leaders reinforce the day’s Bible Truths.