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.
- Puppet Ministry
- 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
- Object lessons and Gospel Illusions = Fun
- Everyone Needs a New Start
- Why Worship?
Puppet Ministry
Instructor: Anita James
Friday 14:00-15:20
If you grew up watching the Muppets or other shows on television that use puppets, you know how engaging they are for children…and adults if we’re honest. In this session, we will look at basic puppet manipulation and a variety of ways to use them in children’s ministry. You will receive resources of how to teach others puppet skills and where to get puppets, stages, and props. We will also discuss how to create a puppet character.
Download Workshop Class Notes Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor: Anita James has worked in children’s ministry for over 25 years. In all those 25 years, she and her husband, Mike, have used puppets in churches, schools, camps and in street evangelism to reach and teach children and families.
Special Needs Children’s Ministry
Instructor: Anita James
Friday 11:00-12:30 & Friday 15:30-16:45 (*This class will be offered twice)
How do we, who work in children’s ministry, best prepare to receive each child? What do you do when one child has a high IQ and another a very low IQ, one child loves being around others while another seems to avoid social contact, one child delights in loud noises and another covers her ears from the pain? How do we ensure a place of belonging for each child in the mix? How do we equip our volunteers? In this session, you will get a general overview of special needs ministry with support for specific children with different needs.
Download Workshop Class Notes Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor: Anita James has worked in children’s ministry for over 25 years, was a secondary school teacher, and has also taught in special education classrooms. Over the years, she has worked with a variety of children with special needs in her ministry and has firsthand knowledge of them as she has a son with autism.
Trauma: Ministering Effectively to Children from Hard Places
Instructor: Misty Elliott
Friday 11:00-12:30 & Friday 15:30-16:45 (*This class will be offered twice)
About your class: The sad reality is that many of the community children attending our ministries are children from hard places. They silently carry the invisible scars of abuse, neglect, and other trauma. A child who, on the surface, presents as difficult or misbehaving, may actually be a frightened, distrusting child who has been forced to develop coping strategies just to navigate a tragic reality.
Understanding how trauma in the early years actually rewires the brain is important as we minister to these children. This session will provide you with a snapshot into the brain science of childhood trauma and how you can more effectively communicate and interact with children that desperately need to know the unconditional love and hope of Jesus and His Church.
Download Workshop Class Notes Here 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
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 Please check back later to download 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: Please check back later to download 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 Please check back later to download 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: Please check back later to download 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: Please check back later to download 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: Please check back later to download 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: Please check back later to download 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: Please check back later to download 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: Please check back later to download 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
Object lessons and Gospel Illusions = Fun
Instructor: Carl Ethridge
Thursday 14:00-15:20 & Friday 15:30-16:45 (*This class will be offered twice)
About your class:
In this workshop learn how to use objects you have laying around the house to teach a lesson from God’s Word. This workshop will also teach simple but fun illusions to teach God’s Word. “What can I learn from a vase that will help me to be a stronger Christian?” “I can learn what from a paper being torn and appearing to be put back together?” You will leave with afew fun tricks in your pocket.
Download Workshop Class Notes: Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor: Carl Ethridge, along with his wife, Linda, are Assemblies of God World missionaries partnering with Royal Rangers International, serving as the Discipleship Coordinator. Royal Rangers is in 95 nations, and mentoring over 250,000 children and youth. Prior to being appointed as missionaries, Carl and Linda served as Children’s Pastors in Cleveland, OH, USA for 15 years. During that time they lead Ohio Ministry Network Boys & Girls Missionary Challenge for 13 years. From 2001-2006, the Ethridges were children missionaries serving in Germany. Carl and Linda’s ministry is summed up in 4 words, “Loving Children, Making Disciples.” Through our partnership with Royal Rangers International our ministry has us globally engaged in family discipleship by equipping parents to be the spiritual leaders of their homes and raising their children to be life-long disciples of Christ.
Everyone Needs a New Start
Instructor: Carl Ethridge
Thursday 15:30-16:45
About your class: Luke 2:52 says that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man. In this workshop, we will discover how we can invest in the lives of the children who are in our ministry so they may grow as Jesus grew.
Download Workshop Class Notes: Please check back later to download class notes
About your Instructor: Carl Ethridge, along with his wife, Linda, are Assemblies of God World missionaries partnering with Royal Rangers International, serving as the Discipleship Coordinator. Royal Rangers is in 95 nations, and mentoring over 250,000 children and youth. Prior to being appointed as missionaries, Carl and Linda served as Children’s Pastors in Cleveland, OH, USA for 15 years. During that time they lead Ohio Ministry Network Boys & Girls Missionary Challenge for 13 years. From 2001-2006, the Ethridges were children missionaries serving in Germany. Carl and Linda’s ministry is summed up in 4 words, “Loving Children, Making Disciples.” Through our partnership with Royal Rangers International our ministry has us globally engaged in family discipleship by equipping parents to be the spiritual leaders of their homes and raising their children to be life-long disciples of Christ.
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.
