In response to attendee feedback, CPC27 is offering two Pre-Conference learning opportunities.
A Pre-Con is an extended opportunity before CPC officially begins to go deeper in a highly participatory workshop environment.
It gives attendees more time to build their resource library, strengthen their ministry skillset, and grow alongside other children's ministry leaders under the guidance of experienced practitioners.
Pre-Con Topics
Both Pre-Cons run Monday afternoon at the same time, so attendees choose one experience and stay with it for the full three hours.
Pre-Con
Child Discipleship
Presented by
“What if the greatest opportunity in children's ministry isn't simply creating engaging programs, but intentionally forming lifelong disciples?”
This Pre-Con explores the shift from children's ministry programming to intentional child discipleship, and what changes when forming faith — not filling a room — becomes the goal.
Sam Luce and Jenny van der Kooy will walk through four foundational principles of child discipleship through a mix of teaching, guided discussion, personal reflection, and planning time, so the ideas move from concept to next steps before you leave the room.
Together you will look at what it takes to build authentic faith that extends beyond Sunday mornings, with application for ministries of different sizes and stages.
This Pre-Con is the first installment in a new discipleship series that will continue to explore Biblical Literacy, Spiritual Practices, and Christian Worldview.
This experience is for leaders ready to move beyond simply running ministry and intentionally shape disciples whose faith lasts.
Your presenters
Sam Luce
Awana
Sam Luce is the Director of ChildDiscipleship.com at Awana. He co-authored Forming Faith and How to Teach Kids Theology, writes at samluce.com, and is a frequent speaker. A former pastor of 28 years, Sam holds theology and seminary degrees. He and his wife, Sandra, have four children and live in Upstate New York.
Jenny van der Kooy
Awana
Jenny is a wife, mom, author, and kidmin veteran who is passionate about child discipleship. After 20 years serving in kids’ and family ministry, she joined Awana in 2022 and now leads the development of Brite Curriculum. She loves travel, Tennessee football, and ice cream.
When
Monday, January 4
Time
2:00–5:00 PM
Cost
$59 add-on
Already registered for CPC27? Purchase this Pre-Con through your Attendee Hub.
Pre-Con
Volunteer Leadership
Presented by
Lead Ministry
“Great children's ministry doesn't happen by accident. It happens through healthy, engaged volunteers.”
Lead Volunteers Lab is built around the three things every volunteer team depends on:
RECRUIT
TRAIN
RETAIN
This is a hands-on workshop that combines short teaching sessions, guided exercises, peer collaboration, and personal planning time. You will work on your own ministry, not just take notes about someone else's.
Attendees leave with more than inspiration. They leave with a plan.
This is not simply another session filled with ideas. It is a guided workshop where you build systems, conversations, and next steps alongside other leaders facing similar challenges.
Your presenters
Josh Denhart
Lead Ministry
Josh Denhart was a pastor for 10 years and created LeadMinistry.com, helping leaders get organized, lead with confidence, and prevent ministry burnout. Josh created “The Amazing Chemistry Show” and three Science VBS programs at KidMinScience.com. Josh is an international speaker, author, course and curriculum creator.
When
Monday, January 4
Time
2:00–5:00 PM
Cost
$59 add-on
Already registered for CPC27? Purchase this Pre-Con through your Attendee Hub.
Help me choose
Child Discipleship
I want to rethink how we disciple children.
Explore a practical framework for moving from successful programming toward intentional faith formation that lasts.
Pre-Con 01 →
Lead Volunteers Lab
I need to build a healthier volunteer team.
Work through practical systems for recruiting, training, caring for, and strengthening the people who make ministry possible.
Pre-Con 02 →
How it works
STEP 01
Register for CPC27
Pre-Cons are exclusively available to registered CPC27 attendees.
STEP 03
Choose your Pre-Con
Purchase the Pre-Con you want to attend directly through the Attendee Hub.
Already registered for CPC27?
Head to your Attendee Hub to purchase your Pre-Con ticket.
When does registration close?
Is a meal provided?
Will I get my CPC27 ticket when I arrive for my Pre-Con?
Do I need to register for CPC27 before purchasing a Pre-Con?
Additional questions? info@incm.org
