Workshops
We are honored to have many leading children’s workers from various countries to lead a wide variety of workshops to help equip each of us in our respective ministries to children. Click on Workshop Title to scroll down for the description and instructor bio.
You can also view and download the workshop schedule showing when these workshops are offered to help you plan accordingly. Please note that some of the workshops will be repeated as indicated on the schedule and also in the workshop descriptions below.
- Curriculum Writing
- Special Needs Children’s Ministry
- Trauma: Ministering Effectively to Children from Hard Places
- Safeguarding Your Children’s Ministry in a World That’s Unsafe
- Methods of Evangelism for Reaching Kids
- How To: Kids Camps
- Effective Teaching that Changes Lives
- Classroom Games with a Purpose
- Strong Enough to Last
- Children and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
- Discussion as a Teaching Tool with Elementary Children
- Creative Play with Preschool Children
- Tools to Prevent Sexual Exploitation
- Don’t Dread Downtime
- Art and Drama to Help Traumatized Children
- 3 Discipleship Trends to Help Children Overcome Secular Culture
- Engaging Bible Teaching for Today’s Children
- Why Worship?
Curriculum Writing
Instructor: Mike Hook
DAY TIME TBD
Synopsis:
This workshop will equip Sunday School and Children’s Church leaders to design engaging, biblically founded, age-appropriate, and well-prepared curriculum for kids of all ages. Participants will learn practical strategies for structuring lessons, communicating Scripture clearly, and creating activities that help children understand and apply God’s Word. By the end, attendees will leave with tools and templates they can use to write or strengthen their own curriculum.
Sinopsis:
Este taller capacitará a líderes de la Escuela Dominical y de la Iglesia Infantil para diseñar currículos atractivos, con fundamento bíblico, apropiados para la edad y bien preparados para niños de todas las edades. Los participantes aprenderán estrategias prácticas para estructurar lecciones, comunicar las Escrituras con claridad y crear actividades que ayuden a los niños a comprender y aplicar la Palabra de Dios. Al finalizar, los asistentes contarán con herramientas y plantillas que podrán usar para escribir o mejorar sus propios currículos.
Download Workshop Class Notes
About your Instructor: Michael Hook is a pastor and missionary in Scotland who was an experienced public-school teacher in America trained in curriculum development. He and his wife, Tina, have taught Children’s Church and in various kids’ Bible organizations in churches, schools, and on the missionary field. He specializes in creative curriculum writing, differentiated instruction, and cognitive learning strategies.
Michael Hook es pastor y misionero en Escocia y fue maestro de escuela pública en Estados Unidos y se especializó en el desarrollo curricular. Junto con su esposa, Tina, ha impartido clases en la Iglesia Infantil y en diversas organizaciones bíblicas para niños en iglesias, escuelas y en misiones. Se especializa en la creación de currículos creativas, la enseñanza diferenciada y las estrategias de aprendizaje cognitivo.
Special Needs Children’s Ministry
Instructor: Pastor Craig Johnson
DAY/TIME TBD
ADD
Download Workshop Class Notes
About your Instructor: Craig Johnson is the Associate Pastor at Lakewood Church with Joel Osteen, and the co-founder of the Champions Foundation and Champions Club Developmental Centers for special needs, now with over 130 centers in 27 countries around the world.
He is the author of several books, including Lead Vertically: Inspire People to Volunteer and Build Great Teams That Last, Champion: How One Boy’s Miraculous Journey Through Autism Is Changing the World, and Unrehearsed Destiny: It’s Intermission, Your Second Act Is Coming, Craig and his wife Samantha also co-wrote the devotional Your Devotional Life Determines Your Emotional Life and the children’s book You Are Extraordinary. Together they launched Champions Families, an online support community for families with special needs. Craig’s greatest honor is being husband to his wife of 36 years, Samantha, and father to Cory, Courtney, and Connor.
Trauma: Ministering to Children from Trauma / Ministrando a niños que han sufrido traumas
Instructor: Misty Elliott
DAY/TIME TBD
About your class: From the moment we take our first breath, God designed us to connect with each other, but for too many children, that connection is broken—their stories are rewritten by abuse, neglect, abandonment, war, or disaster. Yet scripture mandates that we, the Church, step into the story of these children.
No matter where you are in your journey to minister to children from difficult circumstances, this session is a great next step. You will learn how trauma changes the brain and why you might be struggling with challenging and even puzzling behaviors in your children’s ministry. This session will provide you with a new lens, practical connection strategies, and tools to help your children’s volunteers to think about the root of challenging behaviors and to respond in new ways to actually help them to participate in worship, prayer, and the word of God.
Ministrando a niños que han sufrido traumas
Desde el momento en que nacemos, Dios nos diseñó para conectarnos unos con otros, pero para muchos niños, esa conexión se rompe: sus historias se ven marcadas por el abuso, la negligencia, el abandono, la guerra o los desastres. Sin embargo, las Escrituras nos mandan, como Iglesia, involucrarnos en la historia de estos niños.
Sin importar en qué etapa te encuentres en tu camino para ministrar a niños que han vivido circunstancias difíciles, esta sesión es un excelente paso adelante. Aprenderás cómo el trauma afecta el cerebro y por qué podrías estar lidiando con comportamientos desafiantes e incluso desconcertantes en tu ministerio infantil. Esta sesión te brindará una nueva perspectiva, estrategias prácticas de conexión y herramientas para ayudar a tus voluntarios a reflexionar sobre la raíz de los comportamientos desafiantes y a responder de maneras novedosas para ayudarlos a participar en la adoración, la oración y la Palabra de Dios.
Download Workshop Class Notes Here Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor:Misty Elliott has over twenty-five years of experience in church leadership and children’s ministry. She is a certified TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) practitioner and she and her husband, Bryan, started and oversee Starfish KIDS Camps in the United Kingdom, a local church-led summer camp program model specifically designed for children in foster and residential care. She serves as the International Ministry Leader for For The Children, a U.S. based charity that equips churches with programs and training to “create life-changing moments for children from relational trauma.” She has four adult children, three grandchildren, and lives with her husband in Wales. Visit Website
Bio
Misty Elliott cuenta con más de veinticinco años de experiencia en liderazgo eclesiástico y ministerio infantil. Es terapeuta certificada en Intervención Relacional Basada en la Confianza (TBRI, por sus siglas en inglés) y, junto con su esposo, Bryan, fundó y dirige Starfish KIDS Camps en el Reino Unido, un programa de campamento de verano dirigido por iglesias locales, diseñado específicamente para niños en hogares de acogida y residencias. Es la líder del ministerio internacional de For The Children, una organización benéfica con sede en Estados Unidos que capacita a las iglesias con programas y formación para crear momentos transformadores en la vida de niños que han sufrido traumas relacionales. Tiene cuatro hijos adultos, tres nietos y vive con su esposo en Gales. Visit Website
Safeguarding Your Children’s Ministry in a World That’s Unsafe
Instructor: Misty Elliott
Friday 14:00-15:20
About your class: Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we take the safeguarding of the children in our ministry seriously. None of us wants to look at any volunteer with suspicion, but statistics tell us that no church is immune from predators. In this session, we will discuss real case studies where safeguarding broke down, how it could have been avoided, and proven safeguarding practices that every church children’s ministry should be implementing
Download Workshop Class Notes: Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor: Misty Elliott, an AGWM missionary with her husband, Bryan, serves in Wales, United Kingdom where they founded and direct The Starfish Alliance, a charity that mobilizes and equips local churches to reach children in foster care through Starfish KIDS Camp and Mentoring programs. In addition, Misty serves as the International Ministry Leader for For The Children (formerly Royal Family KIDS), working to resource the global Church to reach children from hard places. Visit Website
Methods of Evangelism for Reaching Kids
Instructor: Kidz Romania Ministry Team
Thursday 11:00-12:30 & Friday 14:00-15:30 (*This class will be offered twice)
About your class: This workshop will discuss different opportunities and methods for doing children’s evangelism. This will include ideas for outreach opportunities (Easter, Christmas, Children’s Day), location options (community centers, parks, churches), as well as how to put together an outreach that will be effective in engaging children. We will discuss ideas such as skits, telling Bible Stories, teaching Bible verses, puppets, using games and illusions, and more.
Download Workshop Class Notes
About your Instructor: Kidz Romania exists to partner with the Romanian Evangelical Churches throughout the country to reach children, women, and families with the transforming message of Jesus Christ. This is accomplished through Evangelism (children’s outeaches, women’s teas, summer camps, children’s TV program), Discipleship (Junior/Adolescent Bible Quiz, and King’s Castle), and Leadership Training (Children’s ministry seminars, volunteer opportunities for youth and young adults with media and JBQ/ABQ). Our heart is to invest in the lives of children and families here in Romania through the opportunities that God has given us. Visit Website (Romanian) or English Facebook Page
How To: Kids Camp
Instructor: Kidz Romania Ministry Team
Friday 11:00-12:30
About your class: This workshop will explore everything you need to know about Kids Camp. We will talk about the purpose of doing camp as well as how to organize and plan one. Learn how to structure your time at camp, plan services, and organize the details such as cost, meals, games, crafts, and more.
Download Workshop Class Notes:
About your Instructor: Kidz Romania exists to partner with the Romanian Evangelical Churches throughout the country to reach children, women, and families with the transforming message of Jesus Christ. This is accomplished through Evangelism (children’s outeaches, women’s teas, summer camps, children’s TV program), Discipleship (Junior/Adolescent Bible Quiz, and King’s Castle), and Leadership Training (Children’s ministry seminars, volunteer opportunities for youth and young adults with media and JBQ/ABQ). Our heart is to invest in the lives of children and families here in Romania through the opportunities that God has given us. Visit Website (Romanian) or English Facebook Page
Effective Teaching that Changes Lives
Instructor: Mary Boyd
Thursday 14:00-15:20 & Friday 14:00-15:30 (*This class will be offered twice)
About your class:
You can make a difference in the lives of your kids by what you teach and how you teach. You are more than a teacher. You are also a coach, mentor, and friend. Kids need to be challenged to live for God the rest of their lives. Be a difference maker!
Download Workshop Class Notes
About your Instructor: David & Mary Boyd are currently Ambassadors for Life Publishers, a ministry of Assemblies of God World Missions, representing FireBible, a full-life study Bible from a Pentecostal perspective.
After serving 17 years as full-time children`s pastor, for 24 years they directed Children’s Ministries and BGMC in the Assemblies of God National Office in the United States.
In 2017, David published the book, “Strong Enough to Last” which highlights the eight goals of children’s ministries for the Assemblies of God and has been published in various languages.
David and Mary have authored 20 children’s ministries resource manuals on such topics as games, illusions, classroom discipline, clowning, skits, and materials on leading kids into the baptism in the Holy Spirit which have been translated into several languages.
The Boyds have a big heart for missions, training teachers, and touching the lives of kids. David and Mary have also been to 41 countries in Asia, Africa, South America, Eurasia, and Europe teaching and training others in children’s ministries.
Classroom Games with a Purpose
Instructor: Mary Boyd
Thursday 15:30-16:45
About your class: Games are a great and easy way to add excitement and interest to any classroom or children’s church. Excitement brings children back and encourages them to invite their friends. Games can be a quick but important segment of class time. Games can also be used as an important part of teaching. Games are also a great way to teach Bible verses. This class is designed to give the teacher dozens of ways of making learning fun. Children can learn what you want them to learn without them even realizing that they are learning!
Download Workshop Class Notes:
About your Instructor: David & Mary Boyd are currently Ambassadors for Life Publishers, a ministry of Assemblies of God World Missions, representing FireBible, a full-life study Bible from a Pentecostal perspective.
After serving 17 years as full-time children`s pastor, for 24 years they directed Children’s Ministries and BGMC in the Assemblies of God National Office in the United States.
In 2017, David published the book, “Strong Enough to Last” which highlights the eight goals of children’s ministries for the Assemblies of God and has been published in various languages.
David and Mary have authored 20 children’s ministries resource manuals on such topics as games, illusions, classroom discipline, clowning, skits, and materials on leading kids into the baptism in the Holy Spirit which have been translated into several languages.
The Boyds have a big heart for missions, training teachers, and touching the lives of kids. David and Mary have also been to 41 countries in Asia, Africa, South America, Eurasia, and Europe teaching and training others in children’s ministries.
Strong Enough to Last
Instructor: David Boyd
Thursday 11:00-12:30 & Friday 15:30-16:45 (*This class will be offered twice)
About your class: This class introduces the eight goals of children’s ministry discipleship—designed to help a child live for Jesus for the Rest of their lives. It is based on the book “Strong Enough to Last”.
Download Workshop Class Notes:
About your instructor: David & Mary Boyd are currently Ambassadors for Life Publishers, a ministry of Assemblies of God World Missions, representing FireBible, a full-life study Bible from a Pentecostal perspective.
After serving 17 years as full-time children`s pastor, for 24 years they directed Children’s Ministries and BGMC in the Assemblies of God National Office in the United States.
In 2017, David published the book, “Strong Enough to Last” which highlights the eight goals of children’s ministries for the Assemblies of God and has been published in various languages.
David and Mary have authored 20 children’s ministries resource manuals on such topics as games, illusions, classroom discipline, clowning, skits, and materials on leading kids into the baptism in the Holy Spirit which have been translated into several languages.
The Boyds have a big heart for missions, training teachers, and touching the lives of kids. David and Mary have also been to 41 countries in Asia, Africa, South America, Eurasia, and Europe teaching and training others in children’s ministries.
Children and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Instructor: David Boyd
Friday 11:00-12:30
About your class: This class discusses the simple process of introducing children to God’s great free gift—The Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It also centers in on the purpose for speaking in tongues and the plan forward once a child is filled with the Spirit.
Download Workshop Class Notes:
About your instructor: David & Mary Boyd are currently Ambassadors for Life Publishers, a ministry of Assemblies of God World Missions, representing FireBible, a full-life study Bible from a Pentecostal perspective.
After serving 17 years as full-time children`s pastor, for 24 years they directed Children’s Ministries and BGMC in the Assemblies of God National Office in the United States.
In 2017, David published the book, “Strong Enough to Last” which highlights the eight goals of children’s ministries for the Assemblies of God and has been published in various languages.
David and Mary have authored 20 children’s ministries resource manuals on such topics as games, illusions, classroom discipline, clowning, skits, and materials on leading kids into the baptism in the Holy Spirit which have been translated into several languages.
The Boyds have a big heart for missions, training teachers, and touching the lives of kids. David and Mary have also been to 41 countries in Asia, Africa, South America, Eurasia, and Europe teaching and training others in children’s ministries.
Discussion as a Teaching Tool with Elementary Children
Instructor: Mindy Benintendi
Thursday 11:00-12:30 & Friday 14:00-15:30 (*This class will be offered twice)
About your class: This class will help teachers understand the value of using discussion as a teaching tool with a small group of children
Download Workshop Class Notes:
About your instructor: For 25 years, Mindy and Steve Benintendi were missionaries, dedicating much of their work to children’s ministry. During this time, they created and led unique evangelism outreach programs for the local church. Mindy partnered with churches to help establish children’s ministry locally by training volunteers and emphasizing the importance of engaging children in meaningful ways. She believes that in serving children, we not only bless them but also receive blessings ourselves, as they help us stay rooted in the fundamental teachings of Scripture, which will significantly shape how we live.
Creative Play with Preschool Children
Instructor: Mindy Benintendi
Thursday 14:00-15:30
About your Class: This class will give examples of incorporating play when telling Bible stories
Download Workshop Class Notes:
About your instructor: For 25 years, Mindy and Steve Benintendi were missionaries, dedicating much of their work to children’s ministry. During this time, they created and led unique evangelism outreach programs for the local church. Mindy partnered with churches to help establish children’s ministry locally by training volunteers and emphasizing the importance of engaging children in meaningful ways. She believes that in serving children, we not only bless them but also receive blessings ourselves, as they help us stay rooted in the fundamental teachings of Scripture, which will significantly shape how we live.
Tools To Prevent Sexual Exploitation
Instructor: Carla Marroquin
Thursday 15:30-16:45
About your class: During our workshop we will introduce the concepts of body awareness, emotional intelligence, human rights, and healthy attachment as the backbone of our curriculum to prevent commercial sexual exploitation of minors. You will experience practical ways to teach sensitive topics like sexual abuse of minors, “sexting” & “sextorision”, porn use and more. Comic books, workbooks, teen-themed flyers and more will be available to attendees. Visit Website
Download Workshop Class Notes:
About your instructor: Carla Marroquin serves AGWM under International Ministries. She is a member of WAGF Commission Against Human Trafficking, Slavery and Exploitation, serves on the WEA Hispanic Coalition Against Human Trafficking, holds an MA in Theology from AGTS, professional certificates in Anti Human Trafficking from both Vanguard University and Florida State University. Carla is founder and Executive Director of Protect Me Project, is Mom to two adult daughters and Grandma to three amazing grandsons.
Don’t Dread Downtime
Instructor: Winnie Coleman-Horvat
Thursday 11:00-12:30 & Thursday 15:30-16:45 (*This class will be offered twice)
About your class: Every children’s worker has had that dreaded moment when they realize that something isn’t working and you need to pivot OR you’ve done everything you planned for and there’s still time left before parents pick up their children. Don’t panic, this workshop will help you know what to do when you have too much time left or what you’ve planned just isn’t working. By the end of the workshop you’ll have even created your own new game.
Download Workshop Class Notes: Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor: Winnie Coleman-Horvat has been working since 2001 with “The Puzzle”, a tool for child evangelism. She currently resides in Hrvatska and works in full-time ministry with children and teenagers. She graded in 2023 from SEU with a Master’s in International Family and Teen Ministry, which means she has mastered the eye roll and arm cross of teenagers.
Art and Drama to Help Traumatized Children
Instructor: Judy Mensch
Thursday 15:30-16:45 & Friday 11:00-12:30 (*This class will be offered twice)
About your class: This workshop will teach you how and why Art & Drama can help children who have been traumatized. The techniques of drawing, painting and working with clay can teach a child to communicate even when words fail them. Drama activities like storytelling, using masks and play, can help them express themselves while learning how much God loves them.
Download Workshop Class Notes: Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor: Judy has been working with children for 50 years. She has taught children how much God loves them and that He has a plan for their lives. Judy was
born in New York City but has worked with children in many countries
around the world. She is presently training adults to work with Ukrainian
refugee children, by means of Art & Drama. To read more, go to her website,
KIDZARK.com.
3 Discipleship Trends to Help Children Overcome Secular Culture
Instructor: John Hailes
Thursday 11:00-12:30
About your class: As culture begins to have a greater impact on children, the church must strengthen its discipleship practices to meet the needs of today’s disciples. This breakout explores trends in discipleship and is hosted by the Bible Engagement Project.
Download Workshop Class Notes: Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor: John Hailes was born and raised in Manchester, England. For the last 12 years, he has ministered to children in the USA. He currently works for the Assemblies of God national office in Springfield Missouri where he oversees product development and works with curriculum like Bible Engagement Project. He is a PhD candidate with his dissertation focusing on children’s ministry curricula in a digital age. You can read more about the Bible Engagement Project HERE
Engaging Bible Teaching for Today’s Children
Instructor: John Hailes
Thursday 14:00-15:20 & Friday 15:30-16:45 (*this class will be offered twice)
About your class: Today’s children are called Generation Alpha. They are a unique generation born into a fast changing world. If we want to minister to them effectively, then we need to understand them and adapt our discipleship practices to them. This breakout will address practical tips for teaching the Bible to this new generation.
Download Workshop Class Notes: Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor: John Hailes was born and raised in Manchester, England. For the last 12 years, he has ministered to children in the USA. He currently works for the Assemblies of God national office in Springfield Missouri where he oversees product development and works with curriculum like Bible Engagement Project. He is a PhD candidate with his dissertation focusing on children’s ministry curricula in a digital age. You can read more about the Bible Engagement Project HERE
Why Worship?
Instructor: Lisa Lyall
Thursday 14:00-15:30
About your class: Developing a worship lifestyle in our children’s ministry is paramount in today’s culture. Children need to develop their personal relationship with Jesus by spending time in His presence. Encouraging children in worship helps make their Spiritual relationship real and something they will hold onto for a lifetime. Pastor Lisa Lyall has experience with children’s ministry and will help you incorporate and develop a passionate worship program for children.
Download Workshop Class Notes: Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor: Lisa has been the Children’s Pastor at Central Church in Fraserburgh, Scotland since 2002. She pioneered Kids No Limits, which now reaches hundreds of children each week through various programs. Lisa is passionate about the Church and reaching families so they can live for Jesus.
