"If you love Jesus and you love kids, this conference is for you," says one of the planners of the Awesome Kidmin Conference happening in Winnipeg next month.

Cathy Dyck is the Director of the Awesome Kidmin Conference. 

"This year we're doing a hybrid event. Last year was an adventure as we hosted it online and this year again it's a whole new adventure. I'm making it accessible to everyone. People who can attend in person can do so and those who aren't able can join us online."

The theme of this year's conference is Anchored Together. The physical event will be at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church on Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12. 

"Our theme verse is Hebrews 10:23," says Dyck. "Honestly, I try to think about what life was like in ministry before COVID. It's really a blur. Now living in the wake of COVID, that's really challenging as well so I think personally we need to hang on to the anchor. We want to remind ourselves and the community that it's important to stay anchored to those things we profess and trust that He's faithful to lead us forward."

Line Up and Themes

Heidi Schartner is one of the planners of the Awesome Kidmin Conference. 

"Our keynote speaker is Christie Penner Worden and she is absolutely passionate about equipping leaders and those involved in children's ministry," says Schartner. "Getting to hear what she has to share with us will be such a huge encouragement and be very inspiring for anyone attending."

While the conference is over two days, it is broken up into three parts. Friday during the day they are offering leadership labs,which are more geared towards ministry leaders. Friday evening is a worship portion for anyone and Saturday offers the keynote speaker and breakout sessions. 

"On Saturday we have a whole host of exceptional topics. One like 'Are Children the Church of the Future?', 'Ministering to Families Who Aren't Coming Back,' and 'But We've Always Done it This Way.'"

The conference will offer time for those in kids ministry to connect with each other as well. 

"It's hard to be a leader right now," says Schartner. "It's hard to be a volunteer. How can we best equip ourselves so we can minister to these little children? We'll also be discussing conflict resolution. COVID has put us at a standstill for far too long and we've all done our very best but I think we're getting excited to get back into ministry."

As children's activities are often so hands-on and physical, the pandemic has been difficult for those in leadership to find the best way to minister to kids. 

"There are a lot of people in kids ministry right now that are feeling pretty isolated," says Dyck. "If we can offer an opportunity for people to be in person, sitting face to face with someone, we want to be able to offer that for people who need it as a lifeline."

Who is Invited?

"If you are involved in kids' lives, you could be a coach, a teacher, working in church, volunteering, however, you are connected with kids, this conference is for you," says Schartner. "We have all dealt with a lot. We might be filling a little ill-equipped."

Last year two people from Europe joined the conference online. Which is why the group decided to offer both in-person and online options for 2022. 

"The Bible promises us over and over again that we are not alone and yet we've been made to feel quite distant from our family that we feel so passionately about. The benefit of this conference, online or in-person, is seeing other people who are standing shoulder to shoulder with you. To witness others that are doing it as well is a balm to your soul and the encouragement that we need to continue."

Related Stories