Attendees participated in various activities throughout the training, such as icebreakers, an interactive storytelling challenge, worship through music and dance, and active prayer.
Attendees participated in various activities throughout the training, such as icebreakers, an interactive storytelling challenge, worship through music and dance, and active prayer.


The mission of the North American Division (NAD) Children’s Ministries is “Empowering Leaders. Impacting Kids.”

An attendee from West region checks in. Registration was organized by region for an easy check-in process.
An attendee from West region checks in. Registration was organized by region for an easy check-in process.

Following this model, Southern California Conference (SCC) Children’s Ministries recently held a one-day intensive training at Temple City church for Pathfinder and Adventurer leaders, Sabbath School teachers, Vacation Bible School (VBS) leaders, and anyone involved in children’s ministries in their churches.

The certification training, Track 2: Teaching Children, was provided by the NAD Children’s Ministries department; however, the courses were adapted and presented by SCC Children’s Ministries.

An attendee (right) accepts her raffle ticket prize: a JBL Flip Portable Bluetooth Speaker.
An attendee (right) accepts her raffle ticket prize: a JBL Flip Portable Bluetooth Speaker.

Jaime Heras, SCC Hispanic Region director and Children’s Ministries director, said that the event was organized “with the intent to train volunteers and bring unity among regions.”

Sarah Grover, Children’s Ministries West region coordinator, presents on active learning.
Sarah Grover, Children’s Ministries West region coordinator, presents on active learning.

More than 100 attendees from the Asian-Pacific, Greater Los Angeles, Hispanic, L.A. Metro, and West regions were present. During registration, participants received gift bags with T-shirts color-coordinated by region, handouts, pens, and other workshop materials. They were also given raffle tickets to select from prizes they hoped to win to help with their ministry. The prize options were an event backdrop, backdrop stand, Stellar VBS starter kit, NAD 2023 VBS starter kit, and portable Bluetooth speaker.

The children’s ministries team poses for a photo at the event’s conclusion.
The children’s ministries team poses for a photo at the event’s conclusion.

Attendees were encouraged to dress comfortably for an immersive training that included movement, active participation, and interaction to break up the monotony.

The courses offered throughout the day were entitled Active Learning, Teaching Children Sabbath School, Teaching Children to Think, Craft Lab, Interactive Storytelling, Disciplining With Grace & Love, Children’s Praise and Worship, and Teaching Children to Pray. Attendees who completed all eight classes earned their certificates for Track 2. Light refreshments were given throughout the training, and dinner was provided at its closing.

This NAD curriculum “imparts ideas and educational theories that help teach children in ways that are fun, dynamic, and spiritual.”

 

Watch the video highlight below: