FOCUS Children’s Ministries Leadership Training Conference
“This Is Our Time” is the theme of the 23nd annual FOCUS Church of God Children’s Ministries Leadership Training Conference to be held March 2-4 at the Marriott Hotel in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In January 1994 at an interdenominational children’s ministry conference, nine local-church Church of God children’s ministry leaders covenanted to help advance Church of God ministry to children. In September of that year, a two-day children’s leaders retreat was held near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Twenty-seven children’s leaders from nine states met and formed Children’s Pastors Fellowship, which later became the National Children’s Leaders Association.
In 2011, the name of the fellowship was changed from National Children’s Leaders Association to Children’s Leaders Association. The name change was more inclusive of international leaders who are a part of this fellowship.
On May 13-15, 1995, the first national children’s ministries conference, called “For the Kids!” drew 300 people to a three-day event in Asheville, North Carolina. This annual conference, now called “FOCUS Children’s Ministries Conference,” has continued for 21 years. It has expanded to include Middle School leaders, as well as Spanish speaking delegates. There are 32 workshops, four general sessions, and even several pre-conference workshops. Each general session includes worship, entertainment, inspiration and fellowship.
Guest speakers for the “FOCUS 2017 Conference” include Jeanne Mayo, Youth Ministry Coach with 40 years of leadership ministry experience. She is currently the Director of Youth and Young Adult Outreach at Victory World Church in Norcross, Georgia. Also speaking will be a kidmin favorite: Dick Gruber. Dick is a well-respected children’s ministry authority and is currently the Children’s Ministry Specialist at the University of Valley Forge where he developed a Bachelor’s Degree program in Children’s Ministries. Skadoodles!, featuring Tim and Amanda Cowles, will provide a variety of creative programming. Josh Lynch and his team will lead in worship during the general sessions. Brittany Fairbanks, missionary to orphans, will share her testimony and call. And, a favorite of many, The Lads of New Zealand, will make an appearance and lead workshops, introducing their new kidmin worship project.
In addition to the variety of workshops, there will also be SMT’s, Specialized Ministry Tracks, providing an in-depth series of sessions. SMT’s provide in-depth training on specific areas of ministry. Dr. Mary Bellofatto, a Church of God counselor from Naples, FL, will lead a course in Counseling and Healing in Action. She will also be available to provide counseling for ministerial couples. Becky Fischer will lead training on teaching children about the supernatural. John Tasch, a conference favorite, will teach about effective kids’ church programming. Jeff McCullough, JumpStart 3, will be back sharing some intense training on teaching children scripture through music.
A special emphasis this year will be a track of specialized ministry workshops on ministering to children with special needs. This track will be led by Scott Hunter, Lead Pastor of Genesis Church in Tallahassee, Florida and Genesis Kidmin and Special Needs Director, Rachel Ritter. This church is intentionally reaching special needs children in their community. Under the umbrella of a non-profit called Shine, the church has partnered with organizations such as the Tim Tebow Foundation. Each year, at an event called “Night to Shine,” they celebrate the uniqueness of each individual providing an unforgettable experience where children are welcomed, valued, and loved! Even their church facilities are designed to better minister to special needs children and families. Their goal is to help those with special needs realize that their church can be a place where they are loved and feel welcomed. Their goal is to help those with special needs feel loved and welcomed!
To register, go to www.cogyouth.org or www.mykidfest.com or call 423.478.7229. “FOCUS Conference” is a ministry of CLA, Children’s Leaders Association, and Church of God Youth and Discipleship.
