OVER 400 COMPLETE LEVEL II CERTIFICATION IN NICARAGUA August 18-20, 2023, International Children’s Ministries partnered with the Church of God of Prophecy National Office in Nicaragua to offer its Level II Leadership Certificate training. Over 400 students gathered on the national tabernacle campus for this intense time of advanced training, worship, and fellowship—making it the largest training event hosted by International Children’s Ministries in the past five years. For three days, the participants received instruction in nine areas of leadership development with specific application for those serving in ministries to children. Sessions included topics such as planning, organizing, directing, and staffing the children’s ministry—with practical application given through activities such as developing a mission and vision statement, setting goals/objectives, preparing a budget, designing a ministry calendar, and screening volunteers. Additional sessions were taught on ways children’s ministry leaders can support their pastor and how to improve their communication skills. The Value and Spiritual Life of Children, the Church of God of Prophecy Assemblyapproved statement on children was presented, as well as an opening session on ministry calling.
National Director Yolanda Reyes Taleno, along with the support of her husband and national team, lead this energetic ministry equipping over 1,100 churches that are organized in 13 regions. Over 11,000 children are served weekly through the ministries of the Church of God of Prophecy in Nicaragua. In 2022, outreach events reached over 3,000 children, with an additional 1,180 attending Bible Clubs weekly. National Bishop Jose Esteban Somoza called the meeting “a historic gathering of the largest number of young leaders in the nation’s history.” In his closing comments, he cast a vision to see 1,000 children’s ministers trained in 2023. The training team for the Nicaragua Institute included Dr. McKinley, Abigahil Avila (Children’s Ministries Spanish-language Training Specialist), Theri Santos (child evangelist and founder/president of New Generation Foundation), and Bishop Ernesto Velasco (North Carolina). Throughout the training, special music and worship were provided by local leaders and children. A number of spirit-filled, spontaneous sessions of prayer occurred throughout the training with participants worshipping, praising, and weeping.
“Our team was impressed by the organization of this event and the level of engagement of the students of Nicaragua,” said Dr. Shaun McKinley, international director of Children’s Ministries. “Their excitement for this Tentative plans are to return to Nicaragua in the ministry and commitment to growing as leaders is coming year to provide additional training such evident. Our Nicaraguan church is passionate, growing, as the Level I Certification program, as well as and on fire for Jesus. Our team is honored to be a part International Children’s Ministries’ Train the of what God is doing in Nicaragua.” Trainers.
CENTRAL AMERICA NATIONAL LEADERS GATHER FOR STRATEGY DISCUSSION
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES AWARDED $1.12M GRANT FROM LILLY ENDOWMENT INC. International Children’s Ministries of the Church of God of Prophecy International Offices (COGOP) has received a grant of $1.12 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish a Child Discipleship and Faith Formation division for our global ministries. The project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to help parents and caregivers share their faith and values with their children.
August 3-7, 2023, International Children’s Ministries participated in the Central America Leadership Congress in San Salvador, El Salvador. During the event, our ministry hosted an all-day gathering of the national children’s ministry leaders from each nation represented. In the morning, each national director shared a ten-minute presentation of the work in their nation. Together, these leaders represented ministries serving over 70,000 children. In the afternoon, Spanish-Language Training Specialist Abi Avila and International Director Dr. Shaun McKinley led strategy discussions concerning the future work in Central America. In addition to this meeting, discussions were also held with strategic partners of both the International Bible Society and Multiplication Network.
INAUGURAL MEETING OF CHILD DISCIPLESHIP AND FAITH FORMATION COUNCIL
Activities being supported by grant funds include the addition of a coordinator for the Child Discipleship and Faith Formation division who will launch regional retreats/conferences for Christian parents and grandparents, develop training resources and events for local church congregations, and produce printed manuals on subjects relevant to faith formation within the various contexts of our churches, among other responsibilities. “Our ministry believes that if the church wants to successfully disciple and influence the current generation of children for Christ, then we must intentionally and strategically equip and engage influencers in the faith formation of children,” said Dr. Shaun McKinley, international director of Children’s Ministries for the COGOP International Offices and program director. “Funding from Lilly Endowment through this initiative will enable our ministry to advance our mutual goals of supporting congregations and caregivers with resources, programs, and educational opportunities. We are deeply honored to receive this grant and eager to get to work.” The Church of God of Prophecy International Offices is one of 77 organizations that are receiving grants through this competitive round of the Christian Parenting Initiative. Reflecting the diversity of Christianity in the United States, the organizations are affiliated with mainline Protestant, evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox Christian, and Pentecostal faith communities. Many of the organizations are rooted in Black church, Hispanic, and Asian Christian traditions.
On August 10, 2023, International Children’s Ministries hosted the inaugural meeting of our Child Discipleship and Faith Formation Council. The purpose of this initial meeting was to provide an overview of this new initiative, discuss our initial steps, and brainstorm resources and events we hope to develop over the next five years. In the morning members met as a large group to discuss the elements of our child discipleship strategy. In the afternoon, member split into two groups to give focused attention on the two distinct purposes of the group, developing discipleship resources and equipping parents/caregivers to share their faith. *Not all members appear in the photo above.
“We’ve heard from many parents who are seeking to nurture the spiritual lives of their children, especially in their daily activities, and looking to churches and other faith-based organizations for support,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “These thoughtful, creative, and collaborative organizations embrace the important role that families have in shaping the religious development of children and are launching programs to assist parents and caregivers with this task.” Lilly Endowment launched the Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative in 2022 because of its interest in supporting efforts to help individuals and families from diverse Christian communities draw more fully on the wisdom of Christian practices to live out their faith fully and well passing on a vibrant faith to a new generation.
This summer the IOU Region (Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Navajo Nation) partnered with International Children’s Ministries to offer one-day training intensives held in conjunction with three of the region’s state conventions. Offered as an additional third day to the convention schedules, International Children’s Ministries Director Dr. Shaun McKinley presented one-day intensives on a variety of topics for pastors, children’s ministers, and church leaders at each convention location. Regional Bishop Dr. Wallace Pratt themed his 2023 conventions “A Passion for Children.” At each convention, Bishop Pratt shared a message challenging parents and pastors to ensure that “no child was left behind.” Using Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:6-7 as his text, Bishop Pratt reminded those in attendance of the important role parents and grandparents have in the discipleship of their children. Additionally, he encouraged local churches to give intentional focus in reaching children with the Gospel and engaging them as part of the church community. In Oregon, 60 participants attended the one-day intensive entitled “A New Day: Strategies for Moving Children’s Ministry Forward.” Presenting six workshops, the training discussed six foundational elements that renew passion, commitment, and effectiveness in children’s ministries. Topics included vision and values in children’s ministries, how to serve families, growing missionally minded volunteers and kids, utilizing technology in ministry, and how to relationally connect with kids.
In Utah and Idaho, the one-day entitled “Influencing the Influencers” was shared with 65 and 44 participants, respectively. This training included five sessions. Each session was aimed at practically equipping churches to engage parents, grandparents, and other influencers in the discipling of their children. Participants were given access to a wide array of customizable resources to launch these efforts in their own church. “We applaud Bishop Pratt for this visionary approach to training,” said Bishop McKinley. “By including these trainings in his convention plans, he not only made this information more accessible to all of region’s leaders and churches, but also reinforced the priority of the discipleship of children at home and in the local body. I am deeply grateful for his innovative idea to include us in his convention plans.” International Children’s Ministries offers a number of oneday training intensives aimed at sharpening skills, clarifying direction, strengthening commitment, and building a sense of team for local, regional, and state ministries. These onedays offer relevant, practical, and interactive ministry and leadership training, taught in just six hours. One-days are presently being scheduled for 2024. If you are interested in hosting a training, contact cgpkids@cogop.org for more information.
Recognizing the vital importance of both sound doctrine and practices within ministries to children, the Child Discipleship Forum (CDF) was founded in 2021 to bring together children’s ministry and next-gen ministry leaders to discuss how to build resilient faith in this generation of children. Each forum brings together leading voices to discuss how to mold young believers into devoted followers of Jesus, capable of living out the Gospel with a blend of grace and truth, particularly in a world marked by hostility and compromise. Discussions center around the Gospel, community, apologetics, culture, discipleship practices, and interviews with experts. At the 2023 CDF, held in September in Nashville, Tennessee, International Director of Children’s Ministries Dr. Shaun McKinley was invited to speak as part of a panel discussion on engaging parents in this effort, as well as how children’s ministries are serving kids who have experienced trauma. The Forum was attended by 600 leaders, publishers, and practitioners, with an additional 5,000 participating online.
INTERNATIONAL CM REPRESENTED AT 2023 CHILD DISCIPLESHIP FORUM
CELEBRATING 2023 CAMPING SEASON International Children’s Ministries celebrates another tremendous camping season! Members of our team served in five camps this summer in South Carolina, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky! We thank God for his presence, for many children who accepted him as Savior, and for the opportunity to serve with some incredible workers.
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God is opening many doors of ministry and opportunity for International Children's Ministries to take our training to leaders all around the world. Join with us in praying for these upcoming events. Pray for the... ...effectiveness of our training ...health and safety of all in attendance ...provision for financial needs ...fruit from the seeds sown Would you prayerfully consider offering your financial support for these training opportunities? Your offering, no matter how large or small, will help us fulfill our mission of developing leaders who impact kids. If you, your ministry, or local church would like to sponsor one of these training initiatives, please contact us to learn more! We may reached by calling (423) 559-5330 or e-mailing cgpkids@cogop.org
TN Certification Level One Training October 27-28, 2023 North America Institute of Children’s Ministry November 9-12, 2023 Mexico Certification Graduation November 17-19, 2023 Nepal Institute of Children’s Ministry February 6-8, 2024 Philippines Institute of Children’s Ministry February 10-12, 2024
Forming Faith Collaborative February 21-22, 2024 Caribbean MDP Train the Trainers February 29-March 3, 2024 TN Certification Level Two Training March 8-9, 2024 Shepherding Kids in Crisis TN One-Day Training May 4, 2024 Nigeria IICM May 16-19, 2024 2024 International Assembly for Kids August 1-3, 2024