Children’s Ministry LEAD Retreat 2025 Conference

Power Up! Pre-Conference

Engaging Children in Worship and Prayer in the Life of the Church!

Are you ready to empower and equip the next generation of worshipers? The Power-Up! Pre-Conference is a dynamic, hands-on opportunity to explore how to encourage and enfold children in our intergenerational worship services. Connect, learn, and walk away with fresh ideas and practical tools to make worship more inclusive for children!

Join us for a special pre-conference before the LEAD Retreat to learn from expert speakers and connect with others passionate about children in worship. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome Randall Goodgame (creator of Slugs & Bugs Music), who will lead us in worship and share his new songs written for kids and adults. These scripture songs are perfect for Sunday School, family worship at home, and Sunday services!

What to Expect:

Session 1: Inclusion of Children in Worship as Active Participants Philosophy — Explore the new philosophy for involving children as active participants in worship, created at the Teach Us to Worship symposium.

Session 2: Practical Application — Learn how to apply these principles with actionable strategies and resources supporting parents and children.

Session 3: Curriculum Preview — Get a first look at the updated TUTW worship resources, including new worship icons and curriculum!

The pre-conference kicks off on Monday, March 17, 2025, with a welcome dinner followed by a special after-dinner concert with Randall Goodgame. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and participate in an inspiring session on Tuesday morning. We can’t wait to join you in taking the next step toward growing our kids’ hearts for worship! See you there!

Please note there will be an additional fee of $135 to cover the room and 3 meals.

Speakers:

Randall Goodgame is an award-winning author and songwriter and the creator of Slugs & Bugs. Slugs & Bugs music is among the most revered and critically lauded series in Christian family entertainment, garnering multiple Dove Award nominations and millions of streams online.

Randall has toured Slugs & Bugs LIVE extensively throughout the U.S. and around the world, playing 350+ shows. Slugs & Bugs has released 10 albums including the popular Sing the Bible series. In 2019, Randall released his first 4 picture books in partnership with Lifeway and in 2020, The Good Book Company published Goodgame’s award-winning Jesus and the Very Big Surprise. A new Video/TV series released in 2019 and 2021, the Slugs & Bugs Show – Good times, good music, and Good News share the screen in the 26-episode TV series.

Schedule: 

Monday, March 17, 2025 

4:00-6:00 pm – Arrival

6:00 pm – Dinner

7:00-9:00 pm – Randall Goodgame (Slugs and Bugs creator) concert with teaching

We are excited to worship with Randall Goodgame as he shares his new scriptural songs with us. These songs were written for both children and adults and will be an excellent resource for Sunday school, at-home worship, and corporate worship on Sundays. Goodgame will also share his newly crafted scripture song for Psalm 95:6-7 as part of our Teach Us to Worship curriculum refresh.

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 

9:00-9:30 am – Morning worship with Randall Goodgame

9:30-10:15 am – Session 1: Inclusion of Children in Worship as Active Participants Philosophy

This first session will discuss the newly developed Inclusion of Children in Worship as Active Participants Philosophy, completed at the Engaging Children in Worship Symposium put on by Teach Us to Worship in January 2025.

10:15-10:30 am – Break

10:30-11:15 am – Session 2 Practical Application

In session 2, we will discuss how to implement the philosophy statement. We will share resources and lead brainstorming activities focused on helping both parents and children.

11:15-11:30 am – Break

11:30 am-12:15 pm – Session 3 Curriculum Preview

In session 3, we will look specifically at the TUTW resources for worship, including the NEW elements of worship icons and the refreshed curriculum.

12:15 pm – Lunch

Cost: $135 (includes Monday night lodging, Monday dinner, Tuesday breakfast and lunch.

Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Tom Gibbs is the President of Covenant Theological Seminary.

He became the sixth President in July 2021 after serving as a pastor for 24 years. Previously, Dr. Gibbs served as the Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, Texas, the church he planted and pastored for 19 years. Before planting Redeemer, he also planted a Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) campus ministry at Baylor University and had served as a youth director in Birmingham, Alabama.

Dr. Gibbs brings a commitment to organizational leadership and church planting to his experience in ministry. In addition to planting Redeemer Presbyterian Church and Baylor RUF, he oversaw numerous church plants through his role as the chairman of the Southwest Church Planting Network, a network encompassing more than 60 churches across four states. He also served as a church planting assessment director for Mission to North America, the Presbyterian Church in America’s church-planting agency, and founded and led Reach South Texas, an organization focused on strategic church planting in South Texas.

He has degrees from Auburn University (BChE) and Covenant Seminary (MDiv, DMin). He and his wife Tara have four children: Anna Catherine, Thomas, Lucy and Caroline.

Tara Gibbs is a wife, mother, and writer. She spent 19 years in San Antonio, Texas ministering alongside her husband Tom to the city of San Antonio at Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Tara has authored Bible studies and taught internationally on women’s ministry.  Tara and Tom recently moved to St. Louis, Missouri to serve Covenant Theological Seminary where Tom currently serves as president. Tara has parented four children, led Bible studies, practiced hospitality, worked with the San Antonio area public schools, worked in water conservation, and served as Director of Redeemer’s women’s ministry. Tara loves running, reading, everything outdoors, Tex-Mex food, and fall in St. Louis.

Workshop Speakers:

Bethany Belue is on staff with CDM serving in various roles within Children’s Ministry. Before coming on staff at CDM, she served as the Children’s Director at Redeemer PCA in New York City and Oak Mountain PCA in Birmingham, AL. She currently lives in Mobile, AL with her husband, Dustin, who is the assistant pastor at Grace Community Church PCA. Bethany and Dustin love investing in the next generation from small children to young adults. Life is full with their 2 young children, Patterson and Neely.

Jimmy Brock has been involved in children’s ministry since he was a child himself, serving churches in Virginia, California, Missouri, and Georgia as a Sunday school teacher, camp counselor, camp director, nursery coordinator, and most recently Pastor of Family Ministry. He is now the Church Planting Pastor for Resurrection Community Church in Virginia Beach, VA.

Stephen Estock is Coordinator for the PCA Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM). A former USAF officer, he has been in pastoral ministry for almost 30 years, serving churches in Montgomery, AL and St. Louis, MO. Stephen has also been an adjunct professor at several seminaries, including Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis and Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta. His Ph.D. is in education, with an emphasis on competency-based learning and leadership training. He and his wife, Susan, have three children and live in Atlanta, GA.

Katie Flores is the Children’s Ministry Coordinator for the PCA’s Committee on Discipleship Ministries. She lives with her husband and children in Birmingham, AL where her favorite volunteer role at Covenant Presbyterian Church is teaching 4k Sunday School. Katie oversees the effort of CDM to connect and equip those who serve in discipleship ministry to children. These efforts include leading conferences, developing resources, and equipping through certification.

Justin Huensch is serving as the Pastor of Next Generation Ministries at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, MO. He is passionate about reaching the next generations with the amazing grace of God, the relational connection of the body of Christ, and the purposeful calling of the gospel in their lives. Justin and his wife Emily have three wonderful children.

Sherry Kendrick serves as the Family Ministry Director of Covenant Church of Naples in Naples, FL where she has been for 15 years. She has a degree in elementary education from East Tennessee State University and over 40 years of experience in children’s ministry as well as homeschool, private school and public-school education. She loves children’s curriculums and tends to collect them. Sherry was married to her pastor husband, Mike, for 36 years serving in both small and large churches. As a widow, she continues to serve the church and has three grown children and three grandchildren.

Dr. John C. Kwasny, Sr. is the Executive Ministries Director at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He is a Biblical counselor, an adjunct professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, and Director of One Story Ministries—authoring a complete discipleship curriculum for the church, home, and school (children, youth, and adults). John has written several books, including Children’s Ministry 101, Established in the Faith, Learn it, Love it, Live it, Teach it. (a 365-day children’s devotional) and the popular Road Talk and Meal Talk series.  He also does two weekly podcasts: Biblical Counseling Today, dealing with individual, marriage, and parenting problems, and One Story Time, teaching God’s Word to children of all ages.  John and his wife, Martie, have eight children, four sons-in-law, and ten grandchildren.

Joe Parker is the Family Pastor at Atlanta Westside Presbyterian Church. For the past 30 years he has served in church plants to large size churches, from inner city to suburban settings. He has a passion for relationally engaging both our covenant as well as our community families with the gospel, equipping adults to disciple our next generation in such a way they grow to become Christ-changed, hope-filled, productive adults. Joe is head over heels in love with his wife Kelly for over 20 years, and are parents of their adopted boys Jacob and Makiah.

Jeanette C. Simpson serves as the Director of Children’s Ministry at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, and is also a member of the PCA CDM Children’s Ministry Leadership Team. Jeanette has led preschool and children’s ministries for over two decades. She has an MDiv from LAMP Theological Seminary and is a CDM Children’s Ministry Certification Program alum (2019). She is blessed to be married to her best friend and life-long ministry partner, Roger. Jeanette loves and lives by Colossians 3:17!

B.A. Snider has more than 20 years’ experience as a children’s director in churches ranging in size from 200 to 4,000 but finds her passion is the same no matter how many children she’s serving. Show the children Jesus. Teach the kids all of the Bible so they see that the stories from the Old Testament point to Jesus and that the New Testament shows how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises—yesterday, today, and forever. B.A. began her formal ministry as a children’s director and consultant in 1993, but she has taught and led music for children since she was in junior high school. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee and taught college until the Lord called her to seminary and full-time ministry. She graduated with a master’s degree in Christian Education from Columbia International University. Speaking at conferences, consulting with leadership, and training teachers brought her to Great Commission Publications (www.gcp.org) in 2014 as the Children’s Ministry Consultant and Marketing Director.

Laney Stayton – In one way or another, children’s ministry has always been a part of Laney’s life–starting as the child of a pastor and missionary, then through volunteering at her local church as a young adult, and now as a mom of three. After taking a quick detour as a certified shorthand reporter in Texas, the Lord called her to serve as the children’s ministry director of her church in Chattanooga, TN. After serving her church for almost 8 years, the Lord provided an opportunity for her to serve the PCA by becoming the program director for a new grant-funded program, Teach Us To Worship. She is excited about the opportunities her new role gives her to support churches and help them consider the Biblical call to worship as a covenant family!

Laura Tucker is the Children’s Ministry Director at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. Laura grew up in the church and spent many summers there and at camp preparing her for a children’s ministry full of fun activities and time in God’s Word. Laura served as the nursery director before her role over preschool and elementary students. She is married and has three children who keep her involved in volunteer ministry to the youth as well. She enjoys time at the lake, playing tennis and cheering on the Dawgs.

Saralyn Tyler currently serves as the Director of Children’s Ministry at Christ Church Toronto in Ontario, Canada. God has given Saralyn a passion for sharing the gospel with children, encouraging and supporting families, and in helping to encourage others serving in Children’s Ministry. She has served in established churches, a church revitalization, and a church plant, in urban, inner-city, suburban, and remote rural areas. Saralyn has led Sunday school, mid-week clubs, summer camps and conferences. Saralyn is a CDM Alumnus from the Class of 2019.

Lisa Updike is the Director of Children’s Ministries at Covenant in Harrisonburg, VA and doesn’t remember a day when she didn’t love Jesus. Her ministry experience includes teaching, special education, leading children’s choirs, and writing. Several of her books and curriculum are available through the PCA bookstore. She and her husband, Kevin, have been married since 1989 and are blessed with 4 adult children, 3 of whom joined their family through adoption. Lisa and Kevin stay busy with church activities, creating art,  and best of all, doting on their two grandsons.

Christy Villhauer became the Director of Children’s Ministry at Grace Community Presbyterian Church in 2017, and she started as the Administrator in 2022. Before that she served as the Nursery Director for a few years as well. Christy loves to come alongside parents in discipling their children and equipping them to lead their children to love and know Jesus. Prior to having children, Christy was a high school Spanish teacher for five years. Christy and her husband, Dan, live in Mechanicsville, VA with their three daughters. In her spare time, Christy enjoys traveling, cooking, running, and spending time with family and friends.

 

Workshops #1 – Equipping Families

Discipleship From a Young Age
Bethany Belue and Christy Villhauer
We talk about discipling the next generation, but as children’s ministry leaders, how do we do this at church as we come alongside parents at home? Together we will discuss discipling our children even from their first day. Come join the conversation about what we should teach as well as practical ideas for engaging our youngest ones with Scripture memory, prayer, and a love for God’s Word.

Worshiping with the Next Generation: Empowering Children as Active Participants
Laney Stayton and Heather Dirkse
How can we encourage our children to worship God as they were created to do? In this engaging workshop, we’ll explore how to cultivate active worshipers by teaching children to participate meaningfully in worship from infancy through the preteen years. Building on a new philosophy for including children as active participants in worship, a template developed at the Teach Us to Worship symposium, we’ll dive deep into how to shift from passive observation to active engagement, encouraging children to participate alongside the church family in a way that is developmentally appropriate, spiritually enriching, and biblically grounded by exploring what it means for children at different ages—0-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-10—to engage in worship actively, and how to nurture this in practical ways. Gain insights on fostering a church atmosphere where children are seen as valued participants, not just recipients of teaching but also contributors to the church’s worship practices.

Empowering Leaders to Come Alongside Parents
Joe Parker & Ann Maura Hinton (Lifeline)
How do home and church partner together to support the family? Parents need the whole covenant community to help them nurture and disciple their children. Come explore ideas to strengthen that partnership in your church.

Equipping Parents to Guide their Children through Cultural Currents
Jimmy Brock and Katie Flores
It feels like the culture in which our children swim is getting harder and harder to navigate and often very different from the cultural waters that we remember. But God is not surprised and God has not changed. How can we ground parents in gospel hope for themselves and their children and equip them to live and talk that hope in practical ways?

Workshops #2 – Teamwork/Dreamwork

Covenant Characteristics Through the Eyes of a Child
Sherry Kendrick and Engaging Disability
Does it really matter whether a children’s ministry is based on a covenant model? Yes! Covenant children have a special place within the church. They are to be taught that they are members of God’s covenant family that they have responsibilities within that family and that the family of God has responsibilities concerning them. The covenant of grace is what we believe, so the nature of the covenant must determine what we do, why we do it, and how we do it. This also includes incorporating our children with disabilities. In this workshop, we will talk about how to think covenantally about children’s ministry by thinking through the characteristics of the covenant. Using a new training tool recently developed on this topic, we will apply these characteristics to ALL the children in our children’s ministries.

Cultivating a Community of Servant Leaders in Children’s Ministry
Laura Tucker
Building a children’s ministry involves a strong foundation of servant leaders who are called, equipped, and invested in, so they can serve children and families. Join us as we dive into practices for cultivating a children’s ministry that not only impacts children but also strengthens and encourages servant leaders within the church. This workshop hopes to provide guidance and encouragement to take next steps for cultivating a community of servant leaders in your ministry.

Missions is Mandatory!
Jeanette Simpson
Jesus calls us all personally to go and make disciples from Matthew 28.  We will be discussing some practical ways to begin, implement, and build upon how to actually put making disciples into practice. Come and check out some great ideas and resources to take back to your church and ministry.

How do we teach teachers to teach the Bible to children???
B.A. Snider
Teaching children the Bible is the most important and impactful thing we do in our role as children’s ministry leaders. But how do we teach children the truths of Scripture in a way that is engaging, age-appropriate, and spiritually formative? This workshop is designed to equip teachers with the knowledge, tools, and encouragement they need to teach the Bible effectively to children of all ages.

In this session, we will address essential questions like:

• How and what do we teach at each age level?.
• Why does the method we use matter?
• Does theology matter at a young age?

Workshops #3 – Leadership Development

Embracing the Faith: The Theology of Church Membership
Stephen Estock and John Kwasny
How do we help people understand that children are members of the church but also BECOME members of the church? This seminar looks at the theology of church membership and how we help parents and children mature to embrace the faith. The path to membership provides great opportunities to make disciples of children and parents.

How to Trust God When Life is Changing
Lisa Updike and Saralyn Tyler
Leading in Children’s Ministry is a wonderful thing, but leading this ministry changes with your life changes. Singleness, married, married with young children, and aging…not to mention going through times of grief and suffering…all affect what we bring to ministry. It can be overwhelming. Come and explore how we apply the means of grace to our lives as we serve in the local church.

What Leadership Tools are in your Toolbox?
Justin Huensch
One of the challenges of children’s ministry is dealing with lots of different people with lots of different opinions about the ministry. Come and learn how to lead effectively as one who relates to pastors, elders, volunteers and parents.

Children’s Ministry Newbie? Let’s Talk Basics
Sherry Kendrick and Katie Flores
Let’s chat together about the basics of children’s ministry! Where to begin? How to find resources? Implement a safety plan? Plan an event? Recruit volunteers? All the things! You will go home with practical resources and lists to help you.

Location:

Ridge Haven Conference & Retreat Center

215 Ridge Haven Road
Brevard, NC 28712

828-862-3916

Conference Schedule and Meal Times:

Monday, March 17, 2025

6:00 pm: Dinner for Power-Up! Pre-Conference Attendees

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

9:00 am: Pre-Conference (must pre-register)

12:15 pm: Lunch for Pre-Conference Attendees

2:00 pm: Check–In for Conference Attendees

3:00 pm: Opening Sessions

6:00 pm: Dinner

7:00 pm: Plenary Session 1

8:30 pm: Dessert Social

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

8:00 am: Breakfast and program

12:30 pm: Lunch

6:00 pm: Dinner

7:00 pm: Worship Service

9:00 pm: Dessert

Thursday, March 10, 2025

8:00 am: Breakfast and program

Transportation:

It’s a curvy and mountainous ride to Ridge Haven, but once you’re there it’s beautiful!

Here are some things to note about transportation:

• Best airports:
  • Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) – About 1-1/2 hours from Ridge Haven
  • Asheville (AVL) – About 1 hour from Ridge Haven
  • Charlotte (CLT) – About 2-1/2 hours from Ridge Haven
  • Atlanta (ATL) – About 4 hours from Ridge Haven
• There are no hotel shuttles and no Uber from airports to Ridge Haven.
• Even though it may say 25 miles, it will take you a lot longer than you think because of the mountain roads.

Directions to Ridge Haven: Click on this link and print out directions ahead of time…you will want to have a hard copy of them in case you lose cell service in the mountains.