Children’s Leaders Find “Heart of the Child”
June 2010
Over 900 Preschool & Children’s leaders from six states meet at Broken Arrow, FBC for a two day training convention called Heart of the Child. Two hundred conferences were provided for workers in every age group from birth to sixth grade.
“It was good to get a “kick in the pants”. I have been doing this for awhile and needed some new energy and ideas. I was able to get a lot of ideas about new games to make, ways to apply new research about how boys and girls think differently to approach my lessons, and encouragement from our greatest teacher ‘Jesus’. I couldn’t wait to get to Sunday School and apply something I had learned. Waiting until 2012 will be hard. “ Linda Smallback, Children’s Sunday School Teacher, FSBC, Topeka.
Special areas like music, missions, Bible skills, Church Weekday, camps, and conferences for ministers were all a part of the mix. “’Heart of the Child’ was a great weekend to refresh and refocus on God’s calling to us as children’s ministers. It’s always so encouraging to spend time with other men and women around the country who share your same heart and passion for teaching children about Christ. I left the weekend humbled by God’s grace to use people like myself in tremendous ways for His Kingdom, and excited to use some incredible new creative ideas and strategies back with my kids. Children deserve the best, and it’s important that as we serve children we are able to give them our very best, which we can only do through our right relationship with Christ. We have to take the opportunities such as ‘Heart of the Child’ to remind us of God’s calling in our lives, and to remind us that there are others out there who share the same exact struggles and victories as we do.” Courtney Ingram, Children’s Minister, FBC Mulvane.
“Heart of the Child” allows kids to teach the teachers by having Sunday School on Saturday. Children of all ages came to create classes so conferees could watch a class being taught by a mentoring teacher. “This observation class is always full and often the most benefit to our conferees. Instead of hearing about the work, they can watch an excellent example in progress with real kids participating.” says Mark Jones, Childhood Ministry Specialist, Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
“The conference was first class and the people were so great!” Mitzi Eaker, WMU “With this kind of support and encouragement, we know there will be great success in training our many Preschool/ Children’s workers.” Jones added.
The theme for the convention came from 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Each keynote speaker took a portion of that verse challenging and encouraging conferees to stay the course and be assured the work is not in vain. Jones commented, “Children’s workers are often underappreciated and devalued in their ministry. This verse was chosen to remind them of the calling we have and the courage it takes to make a difference in the lives of boys and girls during their most impressionable years.” Keynote speakers included Jerry Vogel, Director of Childhood Publishing at LifeWay Christian Resources, Dr. Daryl Eldridge, President of Rockbridge Seminary, Dr. Kathy Koch of Celebrate Kids and Dr. Tommy Sanders of Dallas Baptist University.
The Heart of the Child Conference occurs every other year and is planned for April 20-21, 2012 at Broken Arrow, First Baptist Church. The theme verse is “We must not hide them from their children, but must tell a future generation the praises of the Lord, His might, and the wonderful works He has performed.” Psalm 78:4
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