Children’s Ministry
We can’t afford to waste a single moment with our kids! Every time and space holds opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children, their families, and the kingdom of God. But, do we always feel equipped to handle the many challenges facing our children and their families? Join fellow children’s ministers and mental health experts as we explore ways to best serve our children and families to make a lasting impact on the kingdom. As we explore the theme of Holy Discomfort: Our Journey toward God, we will identify areas for the individual and the collective to be fully engaged and present with God as we seek to recognize God’s presence in all of life’s uncomfortable spaces. We will create sacred space for those who minister with children to express their feelings to a Holy God, and we will examine ways to move our children and ourselves closer toward God. Come, be fed, and grow in connection with others who pour into the lives of children and their families.
COMMUNITY SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12
10:00 - 10:30 a.m. | Introduction and Vision Casting | Stacey Losher and Jeremiah Haywood
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Networking: Creating Connections
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | “Cultivating Positive Connections and Equipping Families in Building Resilience in Their Children” | Janet Johnston
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Open Space Round Table Discussions
Darla Johnson | Topic: Trauma Informed Ministry
Janet Johnston | Mental Health and Well-Being
Shannon Rains | Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement
Jennifer Schroeder | Navigating Ministry Transitions
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | “Regifting: Cultivating Spiritual Giftedness in Yourself and Others” | Nate Reiser
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
8:45 - 9:45 a.m. | “The Importance and Experience of Soul Care” | Lacy Finn Borgo
9:45 - 10:45 a.m. | Soul Care Stations
FACILITATORS
STACEY LOSHER
Stacey Losher is the Next Gen and children’s minister at Preston Road Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas. She has been ministering to kids and families for over 20 years. Stacey earned her undergraduate degree from Amberton University and is currently working on a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry at ACU. Stacey is passionate about bringing the Bible to life in ways people of all ages don’t want to forget; she believes God's word is relevant to today's world and deserves the very best we have to offer. One of Stacey’s favorite things to do is pour into the people who make ministry happen, and one of the ways she gets to do this is through her association with HOPE Network as a children’s ministry coach and mentor. Stacey wants everyone to fall in love with children’s ministry and to see the value it can bring to their church, their community, and the kingdom!
JEREMIAH HAYWOOD
Jeremiah Haywood is the children’s minister at McKnight Crossings Church of Christ in St. Louis, Missouri. He has served in children’s ministry for five years and is passionate about being called into ministry—and more specifically children’s ministry. Jeremiah studied child development and early childhood education at Arkansas Tech University and utilizes that knowledge to cultivate a ministry that meets the needs of all children. His ministry philosophy is to create space to help others see the importance of children and their spiritual development as he empowers parents to feel confident in being their child’s spiritual champion. If you can’t find Jeremiah at church, he’s either at Chick-fil-A, on a tennis court, or calling the HOGS! He is looking forward to walking alongside his fellow ministers at Summit this year.
session information
In addition to community sharing and fellowship led by Stacey Losher and Jeremiah Haywood, the children’s ministry community can also look forward to the following children’s ministry keynote sessions.
Keynote speakers
LACY FINN BORGO
Spiritual Director; Author; Student Care Coordinator, Renovaré Institute (Denver, CO)
“The Importance and Experience of Soul Care”
JANET JOHNSTON
Clinical Director & LCSW-S, LCPAA, ChristianWorks for Children (Dallas, TX)
“Cultivating Positive Connections and Equipping Families in Building Resilience in Their Children”
NATE REISER
M.Div. (‘20, ACU); Camp Caretaker, Camp Neotez (Desoto, MO)
“Regifting: Cultivating Spiritual Giftedness in Yourself and Others”
SHARED SPACE FACILITATORS
In addition to the keynote speakers, there will be a time of round table discussion, called Shared Space, where ministers can move between the different discussions as desired in order to focus on their most pressing needs.
DARLA JOHNSON
MS, LPC-A; Children’s Minister, Oak Ridge Church of Christ (Willow Park, TX)
Topic: Trauma Informed Ministry
JANET JOHNSTON
Clinical Director & LCSW-S, LCPAA, ChristianWorks for Children (Dallas, TX)
Topic: Mental Health and Well-Being
SHANNON RAINS
Associate Professor of Children’s Ministry, Lubbock Christian University (Lubbock, TX)
Topic: Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement
JENNIFER SCHROEDER
Children and Family Ministry Instructor, Department of Bible, Mission, and Ministry; Director of Summit (Abilene, TX)
Topic: Navigating Ministry Transitions