Children & Youth Ministry Conference (Ridley)

Name: Children & Youth Ministry Conference (Ridley)
Start: 2026-03-14T09:00:00+11:00
End: 2026-03-14T09:00:00+11:00
Location: Grace Church Bega Valley

About

Please join us for a full day of electives designed to encourage and strengthen us as we learn about God and try to share what we know with others - particular the children and youth in our churches.

Electives
BUILDING A POSITIVE CULTURE in Your Youth Ministry (and Bible Study groups) - Danny Mitchell
This workshop helps leaders to think beyond the programs, activities and teaching plans that make up their ministries, and consider the culture of our youth ministries. We’ll talk about: the impact of group culture on the discipleship of youth; how the gospel could reshape the culture of a youth group; and strategies to promote and grow a gospel-shaped culture in your ministry. This workshop is good for people who are leading a ministry or team, but it’s also useful for small group leaders.

REACHING KIDS AND FAMILIES: Creative ways to reach and connect families - Bettrys Lowe
Who are the families in your circle of influence and how do you currently connect with them? This workshop will take a look at the four different categories of reach and connection and will give participants a chance to review how effective their current parish ministry opportunities are at reaching and connecting these groups. Some practical resources and different initiatives will also be highlighted throughout.

YOUTH EVANGELISM: Two Parallel Paths - Ben Staunton
There are many people in our churches that want to see young people reached with the good news of the gospel. Often churches take different approaches to this part of the great commission. Rather than an either/or approach, youth ministries can think through how to use these approaches together to create or encourage a youth ministry that is aiming to share the gospel through a variety of opportunities. This seminar looks at both peer to peer and adult to youth gospel sharing, with some strengths and weaknesses of each as well as some thinking through how both can influence a youth ministry helpfully.

Grab Their Attention With STORIES & PUPPETS - Stephen Urmston
You have probably seen a boring puppet show. We all have. But imagine if the puppet was truly relatable and asked the tricky question that not only the kids, but also the adults were thinking. The smile that comes across their face ‘oh yeah, what’s he going to say about that?’ What if the story that was shared, helped people not only relax, but laugh, and embedded the idea of your talk in people’s minds, ready to be taught and wrestle with it. Puppets and stories are powerful when used thoughtfully and intentionally for the benefit of all.

RUNNING AND INCLUSIVE MINISTRY for Young People with Disability & Neurodivergence - Bec Baines
Ministry to young people can and should include people with disability – it’s what makes our church diverse and wonderful! Though, sometimes we might wonder if we’ve effectively taught the gospel or we might think they look uninterested and uninvolved. This seminar will look at biblical principles for including people with disability in our programs, share a bit about disability and what that looks like in Australia, and then think about some practical strategies for inclusion.

IINTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY - Brendan Petty
In a culture that often fragments by age, the Gospel calls us to a deeper unity. This seminar will help you develop ministries that bring people of all ages together in mutual serving, sharing, and learning. 

HOW TO PREP A BIBLE STUDY - Corey Horner
Take a break from the online seminars and join others in walking through the steps to prep and lead a helpful and engaging Bible study.