Mark Holmen
Mark A. Holmen is the author of the books Faith Begins at Home, Building Faith At Home, and Take It Home. In his role as senior pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California, Mark has developed and implemented a model for becoming a church "OF" family ministry that is gaining national and international acclaim and has been featured by ministries including Willow Creek Association, The Barna Group, and Focus on the Family.

Breakout Description
Equipping the home to be the primary place where faith is nurtured is bigger than children's ministry and requires a church-wide methodology more than a specific ministry model. Come and hear some keys and traps to avoid that will help you integrate and incorporate ALL the ministries of your church, including your senior pastor, in your vision and strategy to bring Christ and Christ-like living back into the center of every household.

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Breakout Description
If you wish to unleash the leadership potential of your team members, you will need to develop and communicate a clear vision, overcome the obstacles to greater ministry impact, and focus their God-given talents and gifts. Walk away with practical tools to improve your skills in these key areas.

Lori Bethran
From the first talent show Lori planned at the age of 16, to the hundreds of events she has planned since, she has always found joy in creating a great event for participants and audiences alike. Lori is a seasoned veteran in event planning and enjoys finding the opportunities associated with the challenges of creating a successful event. Lori has a background in elementary education, and after spending three years teaching on the mission field in Belize, settled in the Chicago area in 1993. Her professional career includes seven years as the Programming Manager in the children's ministry at Willow Creek Community Church, leading their creative teams, and serving as the producer for large group weekend programs, volunteer events, staff events, and the children's ministry conference. Since 2004, Lori has been working with churches and para-church organizations to develop creative teams, produce conferences, videos and creative elements, develop products, and plan events. She currently works closely with Awana Clubs International and with the Willow Creek Association as the Director of Training and Product Development for the Children's Segment. As much as she loves the adventure of ministry, her greatest adventure is as a wife to Otis and mom to three boys ages 14, 13, and 10.

Breakout Description
Sweating over how you will create your next volunteer event, family event, or training event? Come join an interactive session with veteran event planner, Lori Bethran and learn some short cuts to planning an event, how to assemble the right team, and share your best creative event ideas with the best minds in Children's Ministry: YOU!

Matt Guevara
Matt Guevara is proud to be outnumbered in his house by his wonderful wife of six years, Noel, and two daughters, Isabel and Sofia. Matt has served on the KidsWorld staff at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Illinois since 2007 both as the Creative Arts Director and Grade School Group Life Director. Prior to that, Matt served as the Children's Pastor at Lake City Church in Madison, Wisconsin beginning in 2003. Matt is excited to finally complete his Masters Degree in Children's and Family Ministry at Bethel Seminary this May and he is working on a book proposal about ministering to digital learners. You'll often find Matt laughing at his own jokes, eating Chipotle, or goofing around on his iPhone.

Breakout Description
Children's ministry is at a unique and pivotal crossroads. We are serving and ministering to a generation of children who are fundamentally different both mentally and socially than previous generations as a result of the digital landscape in which they live. Ministry to digital learners needs to adopt radically different methodology while still maintaining theological and biblical foundations. Discover the unique characteristics of the digital learners and how to leverage those characteristics in large group, small group, and home environments. Be prepared for lively discussion and application strategies that you can adopt to reach digital learners confidently!

Michael Novelli
Michael Novelli is the founder of Echo, where he has spent the last four years developing narratives and training to help others discover the art of "Storying," a dialogical approach to teaching the Bible. For almost 15 years, he has led student ministries in local churches in the Chicago area.

Breakout Description
Looking for a new and interactive way to get your older kids engaged? After 10 years in youth ministry, Michael Novelli felt like he had tried everything to help kids connect with the Bible. Then, a missionary introduced him to a unique, ancient way to engage people with the Bible through story. Michael learned the art of "Storying," a sequential telling of Bible stories followed by a time of creative retelling and in-depth dialogue. God used this process to completely transform his youth group as they found themselves experiencing God in a whole new way. Now, Michael is helping youth and children's leaders explore Bible storying in a media-literate, story- oriented North American context. Come and discuss how storying might look in your world!

Gary Webb
Gary Webb is the Executive Director of Children and Student Ministries at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria, Illinois. In this capacity, Gary provides direct leadership over multiple paid ministry staff and hundreds of volunteers in ministries from birth through college. Gary has been on staff at Northwoods since 1999 and has varied experience in leading workshops, training, and church leadership development.

Breakout Description
The demands of ministry are great, so Children's Ministry leaders must keep a healthy view of the scope of their influence. Leaders must first lead themselves well, extend themselves to other leaders, be ambassadors for their ministry, and be diverse in their scope of leadership. This workshop will help ministry leaders explore many aspects of being a fully developed leader.

Bo Boshers
Bo Boshers is the motivating and visionary Executive Director of Student Ministries in the Willow Creek Association. For almost a decade, Bo was the Director of Student Impact where he led an outreach of over 1,000 students at the high school ministry of Willow Creek Community Church. Bo's current role allows him to focus extensively on his passion area of training, encouraging, and mentoring students and ministry leaders from around the world. With his 20-plus years of ministry experience, Bo has much to offer. As Champion of the WCA Student Ministries Movement, his responsibilities include writing, speaking at workshops and conferences worldwide, coaching and mentoring likeminded youth pastors, and leading the annual Shift Student Ministries Conference at Willow Creek Community Church. Bo has contributed material for several books and has authored The Be-With Factor: Mentoring Students in Everyday Life, The Be-With Factor: Six Questions Students Need To Ask About Life With God, and Becoming a Contagious Christian: Youth Edition. Bo, his wife Gloria, and their three kids—originally from Santa Monica, California—now live in Algonquin, Illinois.

Breakout Description
This breakout is for parents who lead in children's ministry. Balancing the demands of ministry and family presents a challenge for anyone involved in children's ministry. Address the real issues that, if not dealt with, will end up costing who you love and cherish most: our kids and spouse. Get ready to take away real solutions that will help you foster a positive and healthy family environment for yourself and lead a prevailing children's ministry.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Often, children's ministry leaders are faced with the task of walking kids through family transitions including a parent's divorce or a death in the family, yet often are inadequately trained for this difficult task. Discover the stages of grief and loss in a child's life and discover practical tools for helping children cope with these life changes.

Maria Diaz
Maria S. Diaz is the Director of Protection for Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved in children's ministries for over 16 years. She holds a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, a B.A. in Business from Felician College, and a Masters Degree in Management from North Park University. Maria has extensive short-term missionary experience helping church planters establish viable children's ministries across America. She has been a children's director for three churches over 10 years as well as taught special needs children in the Chicago Public School system. She relocated from the East Coast in 2004, after running one of the largest, state of the art preschools in Tenafly, New Jersey abreast the many changes in security and safety during the aftermath of September 11th. Maria is committed in helping the bride of Christ maximize its full potential in reaching children by providing safe havens where kids can come and learn about Jesus. Maria currently resides in Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois with her loving boxer, Vinny.

Breakout Description
Have you wanted to put a a child protection program into place at your church, but haven't been able to implement it just yet? Then this class is just right for you. You will learn how to create a strategic plan for implementing a child protection program that fits your church, learn the nuts and bolts of a comprehensive protection policy which includes screening and supervision of volunteers, and how to conduct interviews and character references as well as processing background check, policy execution and training tips. This class will be most helpful for churches without a protection policy in place.

Dan Huffman
Children's Pastor at The Chapel, a multi-site church in Lake County, Illinois since January of 1999, Dan has seen the church grow from a few hundred people meeting in a high school to a thriving church of 6,000 with campuses in Grayslake, Libertyville, Mundelein, Barrington, and the Lake County Jail. Dan provides the strategic direction, spiritual development plan, and creative curriculum for each campus' children's ministry. Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and spent 15 years developing reporting tools and user interfaces for Fortune 500 companies before being called into full-time ministry in 1998. He was first introduced to children's ministry while serving in Willow Creek's Oasis ministry in 1994. Oasis is an outreach to children whose families are experiencing the pain of divorce. Dan and his beautiful wife, Kim, had both gone through that experience as children. Last year , Dan partnered with the Willow Creek Association to publish an innovative Grade School curriculum called The Stars of Christmas. Dan Kim, live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three energetic children: Noah 13, Grace 11, and Benjamin 6.

Breakout Description
Imagine creating sets for your children's ministry that are fun, engaging, creative, and relevant to your lesson! Think you need a million dollar budget to create a set like this - think again! Dan shares his tips for creating a fabulous set on a small budget.

Scott Rubin
Scott is the director of Elevate, the junior high ministry at Willow Creek Community Church. Scott's been on the staff at Willow Creek for 17 years, and he recently co-authored a couple of books in the Middle School Survival series: "My Future" and "My Changes", as well as a book called "Kurt and Scott's Jr.High Adventure." Scott been married to Lynette for 17 years, and they have three sons.

Ralph Rollers
Ralph is the Director of Operations for Promiseland, the childrens ministry of Willow Creek Community Church. He has been on staff with the Promiseland team for 12 years. He has been married to Jennifer for 17 years and they have three daughters; Allison, Brooke and Katelyn. Ralph enjoys sports, including coaching his daughters softball and basketball teams.

Breakout Description
Sometimes transitioning kids from Children's Ministry to Jr. High Ministry can be tricky, yet is a critical time in a child's life. Experience an interactive discussion with a member of the Promiseland Executive Team and Scott Rubin, Elevate Jr. High Ministry Director as they explore the discoveries they've made in creating successful transitions. Learn practical tools for communicating to families, choosing relevant activities, and planning transition events

Bill Baumgart
Bill Baumgart is a highly relational person with a depth of content creation experience. His talents and experience as a songwriter and music producer combine well with his desire to communicate Christ creatively. This empowers him to lead a company with a uniquely media-minded mission. Bill's visionary bent led him to leave a successful career as a music producer in Nashville, where he helped shape the music and careers of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Carlisle, and 4Him to launch ORBIT MEDIA GROUP, KIDMO's parent company, with longtime friend and TV producer Tim Ellis. As CEO of Orbit, Bill oversees company operations, and serves as an Executive Producer for its media and music productions. "We lead with the passion that drives us, innovate with the creativity around us, and move forward with the energy God has given us. With an articulated transcendent purpose, individuals possess the courage to behave like revolutionaries. We offer our leaders, creators, staff, investors and customers the opportunity to become fellow WORLD CHANGERS and join us in this transformational mission."

Johnny Rogers
Johnny Rogers' passion for God's Word connects with kids. Twenty years of children's ministry and entertainment have perfected Johnny's energetic, off-the-wall Bible teaching style making him irresistible. Johnny's weekly, media-based program at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church drew more than 2,000 kids per week. In 2003 he left Saddleback to partner with Bill Baumgart and Tim Ellis to create KIDMO, the media-based children's curriculum that has since been utilized by more than 7000 churches. "It moves me deeply hear all the stories of kids' and their families' lives being transformed. Its exciting for all of us when the Bible applies to everyday and we learn how to live it out. KIDMO is designed to release the children's ministry pressure valve. It turns what used to be prep time into relationship time with the kids. This allows children's ministry leaders to be quality mentors that kids so desperately need."

Breakout Description
How does a media driven program work? What does it look like? Why is it effective? How can utilizing media actually enhance learning and enable better and deeper connections between teachers and kids? We will peel back the mystery of what makes media work by walking through a live KIDMO experience and answer the questions you have about the challenges of integrating a media-driven program.

Scottie May
Scottie May is an experienced church educator and developer of materials for children's ministries. She is coauthor of Children Matter, published by Eerdmans, and she contributed to Perspectives on Children's Spiritual Formation: Four Views, Children's Spirituality: Children's Perspectives, Research, and Applications, and coauthor of Listening to Children: Discovering Their Heart for God (to be released late 2009). Currently she is Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. She has also taught courses for Trinity University, Deerfield, Illinois, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and North Park Seminary, Chicago. She has a PhD in education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The Christian formation of children is an area of passion for Scottie. She has researched ways children come to faith and how the local church shapes that process. Other areas of interest are the power of the learning environments that the church creates, particularly 'authentic' experiential learning, the implications of the church being 'the family of God,' and intergenerational worship and learning experiences. For several years she worked as a Christian education consultant for major curriculum publisher providing resources and workshops for about a hundred churches a year. She serves in elementary-age children's ministries at her own church. Scottie has three adult children and eight grandchildren.

Breakout Description
Explore the spiritual formation of toddlers.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
Have you ever felt like your small group times could use some fresh ideas? Join Chris Bos and Jill Nelson as they discuss new ideas for leading transformational small groups. You'll hear new practices for helping children learn Bible stories, biblical truth and relevant application during small group time.

Tom Bienert
Tom joined the Willow Creek Promiseland staff team in 1995 and currently is the Promiseland Group Life Director at Willow Creek McHenry County where he oversees 250 volunteers. He has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Capital Bible Seminary and a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Tom is in his 30th year of full-time ministry having served as a children's ministry director, youth pastor, and senior pastor in San Diego and Baltimore. In 1997, Tom and his wife, Bonnie, co-founded Christian Youth Theater Chicago, a children's after-school theater program that yearly helps over a thousand kids develop up-front stage skills. Tom and Bonnie reside in Crystal Lake, Illinois where they are passionate parents of seven children and three grandchildren.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Lou Ann Pence
Lou Ann Pence has been Director of Children and Family Ministries at Vale Community Church in Bloomington, Illinois, since 2005. She brings a background of volunteer service in various ministries throughout the church and professional experience in administration and personnel. Lou Ann's ministry is fueled by a passion for helping families learn, worship, pray, and serve together so that children will have a foundation upon which to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Lou Ann and her husband, Donnie, have two grown children and find delight in their three grandchildren. Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Retaining volunteers can sometimes be both difficult and overwhelming. Imagine hearing from three seasoned experts about their best practices in recruiting and encouraging long-term volunteer service. Join Lou Ann Pence, Kim Huffman, and Tom Bienert as they discuss practical ways to help volunteers serve for the long-haul.

Chad Herman
Chad is the creator and director of 56 at LCBC Church in Manheim, Pennsylvania. 56 is a thriving ministry environment geared directly to 5th and 6th graders and was designed to reach students in their critical tween years. Chad is incredibly passionate about preteens and their monumental potential for hope, love, kindness, and life change. Chad lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife, Stephanie, and 5-month-old daughter.

Breakout Description
5th and 6th graders are often caught in the "tween limbo" being too young for this and too old for that. This break out addresses the importance of this age gap and gives practical strategies and examples of how one church answered this problem by creating a thriving ministry environment specifically designed to reach the tween.

Cindy Disney-Gainey
Cindy Disney-Gainey serves as the director for the children's ministry at the North Shore campus of Willow Creek Community Church. She came onto Willow's staff seven years ago after serving as a volunteer with the 3-year-olds and is thrilled to be a part of Willow's gifted team of staff and volunteers. She lives in Chicago with her husband and is the mom to a 5-year-old and 2-year-old twins. She loves serving with her family!

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson has been serving in full-time ministry for over 19 years in many different capacities. Craig currently serves as Senior Director of Family Ministries at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX—the largest and fastest growing church in America—where he oversees multiple staff members, church leaders, and volunteers. He also serves as Lakewood's Children's Pastor. Since assuming this role in 2004, Craig has developed a nationally recognized children's ministry called Kidslife. Ministering to roughly 4,000 children each week, Kidslife is one of the largest children's ministries in the nation. Part of Kidslife's growth is due to Craig's successful recruitment of over 1,000 volunteers, and his authoring of several programming tools for children's ministry. Craig and his wife of 18 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

Breakout Description
Children's Ministry Leaders are often asked to lead through change on multiple levels whether it's changes in staff, volunteers, or changes in curriculum or philosophy. Leading through change can be both an exciting and daunting task. Hear first hand from David Wei and Craig Johnsonl as they share their experiences in leading change in children's ministry.

Jackie Glass
Jackie Glass is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Therapist at a private practice in Wheaton, Illinois, in which she continually interfaces with children and adolescents wrestling with spiritual growth. She also works in the Children's Segment at the Willow Creek Association helping to make a difference in the lives of children. Previous, Jackie was the Assistant Director of Community Care at Willow Creek Community Church serving those in need of resources and spiritual guidance. Jackie has been married for three years and is expecting a baby girl.

Breakout Description
Do you have a passion to see early adolescents not only survive but thrive? Come join us as we unlock keys to understanding and entering the lives of early adolescents. We'll learn how to relate, mediate, and advocate for children in this developmental stage as they navigate through life.

Nancy Beach
Nancy Beach is Executive Vice-President for the Arts at Willow Creek Association, focusing full time on serving arts leaders and their teams in churches around the world. Previously, she served for 20 years as the Programming Director for Willow Creek Community Church in So. Barrington, Illinois, building a community of artists who sought to create transformational moments in Sunday morning church services. She continues to serve as a teaching pastor at Willow and speaks often at conferences and training events. In her book, The Hour on Sunday, Nancy expresses the core vision and values she believes are foundational to any effective arts ministry. Nancy and her husband, Warren, live in Barrington with their two teenage daughters and a cat named Elphaba.

Breakout Description
Leadership for both men and women is demanding, but women often encounter additional challenges as they seek to lead in the church. In this interactive workshop, we will explore several of the issues faced by women leaders in order to learn from one another, stretch one another, and remind ourselves that we are not as alone as we may think we are. Nancy Beach has served for over 20 years as a leader in the church. She will draw on her own experience and her extensive dialogues with other women leaders to facilitate this experience.

Beth Bauer
Beth Bauer has been on the Promiseland staff team at Willow Creek Community Church for 11 years. She began in Promiseland as a division leader in the age 4/5 room and later served as Promiseland's Group Life Director. Currently, Beth is on the ministry's executive team, helping Promiseland move forward in its strategic plan. Beth enjoys helping people grow in their relationship with Christ. She has been married for 18 years to her husband, Carl. They and their two daughters, Maty and Jayne, live in Barrington, Illinois.

Breakout Description
Sometimes communicating to parents in your children's ministry can be tricky. In this session, you'll discover strategies for communicating both information and vision to parents. Learn practical tips for communicating well in a multi-media world and explore ideas for electronic, print, and verbal communication so that your partnership with parents extends past your ministry and into homes.

Mickie O'Donnell
Mickie O'Donnell has worked in the educational and counseling ministries in the local church since 1976 starting in jr. high and college ministries. She is a 1985 graduate of The University of Aberdeen Scotland and also a 1991 gradualte of Trinity Divinity School with a Masters of Religious Education. Mickie served as Minister of Christian Education at Westhill Christian Fellowship in Aberdeen, Scotland; at The Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook, Illinois for 11 years; as Director of Children's Ministries at Christ Church of Oak Brook, Oak Brook Illinois for three years; and as Associate Pastor at River of Life Church formerly in Downers Grove, Illinois until 2003. She has been a counselor for families and children since 1985 specializing in play therapy with children, parent education, and women's issues. Currently, Mickie serves as Minister of Spiritual Formation at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Illinois. She is the mother of four grown children and has two granddaughters.

Breakout Description
Over the past 15 years, learning theory has taken many different paths to try to explain HOW we retain and learn. Is there a difference between Multiple Intelligence's Theory and Learning Styles or is it the proverbial "Blind descriptions of two ends of the elephant"? Come find out what all of these terms mean and how they will impact what you do and how effective you can become.

Dr. Ivy Beckwith
Dr. Ivy Beckwith, a widely respected author and speaker, serves as minister to children and families at the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Connecticut. An ordained Congregational minister, she is charged with involving children in the life of the church and in developing practices that nurture both children and families in their faith journeys. A graduate of Gordon College, she holds a Masters in Religious Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Education from Trinity International University. She has over 20 years of experience in Christian education in churches in New England and the Midwest and has worked in curriculum development for both Gospel Light Publications and Group Publishing. Ivy is a member of the of the Emergent Coordinating team and the Board of Directors of Mars Hill Graduate School in Bothell, Washington and has authored several books, including Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Centuryand her 2007 release, The Ultimate Survival Guide for Children's Ministry Workers.

Breakout Description
Much of the millennial generation and the generation that follows hold a postmodern world view and ethos. This workshop will explore this world view and its implications for the role of the faith community in the spiritual formation of its children.

Larry Shallenberger
Larry Shallenberger is Pastor of Next Generations Ministries at Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania where he has served since 1997. Larry has been married to his wife, Amy, for 12 years. Together, they are raising three sons. Larry is a monthly columnist for www.churchvolunteercentral.com and the author of several books and magazine articles, including Lead the Way God Made You: Discovering Your Leadership Style for Children's Ministry. Larry is currently on the national board of directors for The Mentoring Project, an organization founded by best-selling author Donald Miller, which is dedicated to empowering churches to reverse the American crisis of fatherlessness. Larry blogs about cultural trends that impact children's ministry at www.childrensministryandculture.wordpress.com.

Breakout Description
The Millennial have hit the workforce and they are filled with energy and idealism. Do you know how to cgnnect with and embrace this Generation on your volunteer team? Every generation has a personality. Discover what Millennial and High School students think about team, work, pace, and supervision and turbocharge your volunteer base.

Gary Webb
Gary Webb is the Executive Director of Children and Student Ministries at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria, Illinois. In this capacity, Gary provides direct leadership over multiple paid ministry staff and hundreds of volunteers in ministries from birth through college. Gary has been on staff at Northwoods since 1999 and has varied experience in leading workshops, training, and church leadership development.

Breakout Description
Dealing with difficult volunteers can often be challenging and overwhelming. Gary Webb will share lessons learned on successful strategies for tough volunteer situations, including lessons in: communicating clearly, setting clear expectations, and placing volunteers in roles that match their gifts.

Dan Huffman
Children's Pastor at The Chapel, a multi-site church in Lake County, Illinois since January of 1999, Dan has seen the church grow from a few hundred people meeting in a high school to a thriving church of 6,000 with campuses in Grayslake, Libertyville, Mundelein, Barrington, and the Lake County Jail. Dan provides the strategic direction, spiritual development plan, and creative curriculum for each campus' children's ministry. Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and spent 15 years developing reporting tools and user interfaces for Fortune 500 companies before being called into full-time ministry in 1998. He was first introduced to children's ministry while serving in Willow Creek's Oasis ministry in 1994. Oasis is an outreach to children whose families are experiencing the pain of divorce. Dan and his beautiful wife, Kim, had both gone through that experience as children. Last year , Dan partnered with the Willow Creek Association to publish an innovative Grade School curriculum called The Stars of Christmas. Dan Kim, live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three energetic children: Noah 13, Grace 11, and Benjamin 6.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Do you dream of having a an amazing environment for your children’s ministry? Think having children's space is only reserved for Mega-churches or Disney World? Dan and Kim will share insight gain from real-life experiences building exciting children’s ministry environments in both rented and permanent facilities. Learn how you can raise the level of excellence in your current environment no matter the size of your budget.

Brooke Sanford
Brooke Sanford, Promiseland Drama Director since 2004, began her training at Illinois Wesleyan University with a year in their Music Theatre BFA program, moving on to The Audition Studio in downtown Chicago, now known as Acting Studio Chicago. Later graduating from Wheaton College with her B.A. in English, Brooke continued to receive encouragement for her acting work there, and went on to work a stint in "the business" before God tapped her on the shoulder, to her surprise and delight, and called her to use her gifts in her home church, Willow Creek.

Breakout Description
Drama in Children's Ministry proclaims the same important goal as drama in any other ministry: to ring true. This breakout will explore concepts such as Action and Relationship and will equip you with practical tools for turning an over/under-acted sketch into believable reality that truly affects kids' hearts.

Chris Bos
Chris has been actively involved in children's ministry as both staff and a volunteer for the last 16 years and is currently on staff with The Chapel , a multi-site church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He was a part of the creative team that developed "The Stars of Christmas" and along with developing curriculum for children, he has been leading the family ministry at The Chapel called Family Fusion. Chris has been married to his amazing wife Christina for over seven years and they have adorable, 4- year- old boy/girl twins.

Breakout Description
Let's experience together both fun and impactful ways that a worship experience can builds a kids' faith.

Maria Diaz
Maria S. Diaz is the Director of Protection for Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved in children's ministries for over 16 years. She holds a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, a B.A. in Business from Felician College, and a Masters Degree in Management from North Park University. Maria has extensive short-term missionary experience helping church planters establish viable children's ministries across America. She has been a children's director for three churches over 10 years as well as taught special needs children in the Chicago Public School system. She relocated from the East Coast in 2004, after running one of the largest, state of the art preschools in Tenafly, New Jersey abreast the many changes in security and safety during the aftermath of September 11th. Maria is committed in helping the bride of Christ maximize its full potential in reaching children by providing safe havens where kids can come and learn about Jesus. Maria currently resides in Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois with her loving boxer, Vinny.

Dr. Ronald Ercoli
Dr. Ronald Ercoli, Psy.D. received his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1997 from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and has been licensed as a clinical psychologist in the State of Illinois since 1998. Dr. Ercoli has worked on staff at Willow since 1998, directing oversight of the Protection Ministry and has helped develop its policies and procedures and works with the leadership of the church to handle issues of reporting and responding to allegations of abuse. Prior to coming on staff at Willow Creek, he worked and specialized in treating adolescent sex offenders, and currently maintains a private practice as well, specializing in men's issues. Dr. Ercoli has been married for 22 years to his wife, Laura, and has three children.

Jim Pluymert
Jim Pluymert is an attorney and partner at the law firm of Pluymert, Piercey, MacDonald & Amato, Ltd. in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where his law practice concentrates in church law, not-for-profit law, mediation and arbitration, and civil litigation. Jim is a member of Mediation Law Group, a nationwide conflict management group, and he is a Certified Christian Conciliator through Peacemaker Ministries. Jim leads the conciliation team at Willow Creek Community Church, and has served as a mediator and/or arbitrator in both secular and church related cases involving business disputes, employment disputes, church disputes, and interpersonal conflicts.

Breakout Description
Child Protection is important for every children's ministry. During this workshop you will learn how to help your ministry detect and report abuse and how to reduce risk by handling unhealthy patterns and circumstances arising with a staff member or a volunteer. Child protection experts Maria Diaz, Ron Ercoli and Jim Pluymaert will help you develop practical strategies for conducting interviews and handling situations with previous offenders. This class will be most helpful for churches with a protection policy in place.

Jill Nelson
Jill Nelson is the Children's Ministries Director at Morning Star Community Church in Salem Oregon. She grew up the child of a Children's Director and can't remember a time when ministry wasn't talked about in her home—she always knew that God would lead her to serve children (figuring it would be when she was older—and knew what she was talking about!), and was blessed by the opportunity to be trained for nine months by her mom before assuming the full directorship. Jill and her husband, Nolan, married in May of 2006 and enjoy serving the children of their church together. She is passionate about what she does, and loves seeing ministry done well.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
For many churches, reaching the grade 4/5 kids has proven very challenging. They're too old for "children's ministry", but not quite ready for jr. high. Join us for a discussion on how to reach these kids in an innovative way.

Bill Baumgart
Bill Baumgart is a highly relational person with a depth of content creation experience. His talents and experience as a songwriter and music producer combine well with his desire to communicate Christ creatively. This empowers him to lead a company with a uniquely media-minded mission. Bill's visionary bent led him to leave a successful career as a music producer in Nashville, where he helped shape the music and careers of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Carlisle, and 4Him to launch ORBIT MEDIA GROUP, KIDMO's parent company, with longtime friend and TV producer Tim Ellis. As CEO of Orbit, Bill oversees company operations, and serves as an Executive Producer for its media and music productions. "We lead with the passion that drives us, innovate with the creativity around us, and move forward with the energy God has given us. With an articulated transcendent purpose, individuals possess the courage to behave like revolutionaries. We offer our leaders, creators, staff, investors and customers the opportunity to become fellow WORLD CHANGERS and join us in this transformational mission."

Kai Vilhelmsen
Kai Vilhelmsen is creative by design with a love for kids and a heart for God. His degrees in Bible and Education, and years in Children's Ministry, combine uniquely with his experience as an actor, performer and writer. Kai brings energetic engagement to the entertaining and interactive educational experience that is Lil K. "I have a passion for kids to know that God is with them and Jesus loves them. This foundation of truth will help form their worldview as they grow. If church is fun and meaningful while communicating this simple truth, then they will be set up to say 'yes' to God as they get older."

Breakout Description
Media is a daily experience for preschoolers, but making it an interactive experience can change it from childcare to spiritual education. This session will unlock how media-driven resources can lower preparation time, be used with any volunteer, and increase opportunities for ministry through relationships. Experience a live session of KIDMO's Lil'K and get answers to your questions on how to begin the use of media with your preschoolers.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Be inspired as you discover new ways to create a positive culture of discipline in your children's ministry. As you unpack your philosophy of discipline, you'll learn how to create a culture where discipline can be instructional and life-changing, ultimately leading a child into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Johnny Rogers
Johnny Rogers' passion for God's Word connects with kids. Twenty years of children's ministry and entertainment have perfected Johnny's energetic, off-the-wall Bible teaching style making him irresistible. Johnny's weekly, media-based program at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church drew more than 2,000 kids per week. In 2003 he left Saddleback to partner with Bill Baumgart and Tim Ellis to create KIDMO, the media-based children's curriculum that has since been utilized by more than 7000 churches. "It moves me deeply hear all the stories of kids' and their families' lives being transformed. Its exciting for all of us when the Bible applies to everyday and we learn how to live it out. KIDMO is designed to release the children's ministry pressure valve. It turns what used to be prep time into relationship time with the kids. This allows children's ministry leaders to be quality mentors that kids so desperately need."

Breakout Description
If you believe kids can change the world, then this session is for you. Kids need a mentor, someone who will make an intentional investment in their life. Kids need a mission to go out and do something specific, and they need a measuring point that helps each child know they are right on track. We'll unpack each of these key points and equip you to inspire the world changers in your ministry.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Every child deserves to feel emotionally safe while at church. Join Beth Racine as she unpacks the keys to creating emotional safety for kids so that they develop trust while in your children's ministry. Learn practical tools that will change the climate of your ministry so that kids feel loved, safe, and respected.

Todd Hampson
Todd Hampson is the founder of Timbuktoons LLC, an animation and design studio dedicated to discipling children and impacting culture through creative media. Todd holds a B.A. in Art with a minor in Art History from the University of Maryland and also attended the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C. Before launching the company in 2003, Todd was the operations manager for the Department of the Interior's graphic arts, printing, and photography studio in Washington, D.C. He has also taught art classes and served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions at United Baptist Church in New Carrolton, Maryland; Faith Community Church in Gambrills, Maryland; and The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia, land of the fire ants. Todd can be found "doing research" at every animated feature film with his official focus group: wife, Tracey, and their three children. Todd hates fire ants, but loves Georgia.

He has also taught art classes and served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions at United Baptist Church in New Carrolton, Maryland, Faith Community Church in Gambrills, Maryland, and The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia, land of the fire ants. Todd can be found "doing research" at every animated feature film with his official focus group: wife, Tracey and their three children. Todd hates fire ants, but loves Georgia.

Sean Copley
Sean Copley has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 11 years and is the father of three children: Aaron, Caleb, and Leah. He has served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions. Currently he is serving as interim Children's Coordinator for The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia. Sean is also the creative director of Timbuktoons, LLC and holds a B.S. in Art Education from James Madison University in Virginia, and a Masters of Christian Communications from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Sean formerly served as communications consultant, web manager, design editor, and graphic designer for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware in Columbia, Maryland, where he helped develop the Mid-Atlantic Worship Expo and the Youth Performing and Visual Arts Camp.

Breakout Description
Get a behind the scenes look at the branding process for Conspire and learn how to effectively communicate your brand to your intended target audience. Explore the thought process and core principles of effective branding and creative experiences including case studies from creative churches, great tips on software and other resources. If you attended this session last year, you'll definitely want to attend this year!

Larry Shallenberger
Larry Shallenberger is Pastor of Next Generations Ministries at Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania where he has served since 1997. Larry has been married to his wife, Amy, for 12 years. Together, they are raising three sons. Larry is a monthly columnist for www.churchvolunteercentral.com and the author of several books and magazine articles, including Lead the Way God Made You: Discovering Your Leadership Style for Children's Ministry. Larry is currently on the national board of directors for The Mentoring Project, an organization founded by best-selling author Donald Miller, which is dedicated to empowering churches to reverse the American crisis of fatherlessness. Larry blogs about cultural trends that impact children's ministry at www.childrensministryandculture.wordpress.com.

Breakout Description
You minister to children in the context of a rapidly shifting culture. With each shift comes a unique opportunity to connect children and families to Jesus. Larry Shallenberger, of the popular Children's Ministry and Culture website, will introduce you to the trends that matter most.

Susan Shadid
The daughter of missionaries, Susan spent 22 years teaching in the public schools. She joined the Willow Creek Community Church Promiseland staff full-tme in 1996. She is the Director of Training for Promiseland and has a passion to see volunteers grow in their teaching and shepherding skills. She has been involved in curriculum development, staff development, and training. Her knowledge and experiences have enabled her to integrate educational research, design, and development into the curriculum and all areas of training within Promiseland. A world traveler, Susan is always eager to jump in a car or hop on a plane or a camel to explore different places and meet new people. She has visited 28 countries, sometimes serving, sometimes teaching, but always learning. Doing life with family and friends, learning and interacting with her nephews and nieces are some of her greatest pleasures. She volunteers as a teacher and in content development in the Spiritual Mentoring ministry at Willow Creek.

Breakout Description
Children's Ministry is about joining kids in their spiritual journey. Together, we will explore ages and stages of their spiritual growth and discover ways to help kids develop their faith.

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Breakout Description
Join us for an interactive breakout session in which we will investigate the cultural forces and influences behind teens abandoning their faith in record numbers while proposing ideas and innovations to stem the tide.

Rob Rienow
Rob married Amy in 1994 and they have been blessed with five children. His most important ministry is loving his wife and leading his children to know God and love Him. Rob's mom came to Christ shortly after he was born so he was blessed to be introduced to Jesus at an early age. His parents divorced when he was in high school and God used that painful time in his life to give him a heart for young people and families going through dark times. He attended Wheaton College, then completed an M.A. in theology at Wheaton College Graduate School, an MDiv from Trinity International Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He served as a Youth Pastor at Wheaton Bible Church from 1993-2004, and now serves there in the role of Family Pastor. He is the author of the book God's Grand Vision for the Home. He and his wife Amy have founded a ministry called Visionary Parenting, which inspires parents and grandparents to disciple their children, and equips churches to build biblical family ministries. Rob and Amy live in Wheaton, Illinois.

Breakout Description
Most church leaders believe that parents and grandparents are to be the primary spiritual trainers of their children. But is it really happening in your church? Do your youth and children's ministries equip the parents, or do the work of discipleship apart from them? In this workshop, you will learn dynamic biblical messages that you can share with the families of your church that will inspire them to embrace God's call to disciple their children.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Have you found yourself in a place of leading a children's ministry and you're still scratching your head wondering, "Hey, how did I get here?" Well, God knows and He does have a plan for you and for the ministry He's given you to lead! Now the fun begins… join us for a session of exploration of the ins and outs of children's ministry and all the things you'll need to know as you begin a new adventure in leadership and servanthood.

Mark Holmen
Mark A. Holmen is the author of the books Faith Begins at Home, Building Faith At Home, and Take It Home. In his role as senior pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California, Mark has developed and implemented a model for becoming a church "OF" family ministry that is gaining national and international acclaim and has been featured by ministries including Willow Creek Association, The Barna Group, and Focus on the Family.

Dave Teixeira
Dave Teixeira has been ministering to families through the local church for over eleven years. He currently serves as the Children, Youth & Family Pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California. Entrenched in the process of building an integrated family ministry at VMC, Dave is the co-author (along with Mark Holmen) of Take It Home, a resource to help churches empower parents. Dave not only works to help families pass on faith to their kids, he and his wife Amy have two children of their own. "Passing on a relationship with Jesus Christ is something I face every day when I look into the eyes of my kids. I know how hard it is to be the family God calls us to be, and I want the church to be a place where families can go for help and support."

Breakout Description
Would you like to reestablish the home as the primary place where faith is nurtured through your Children's Ministry program? Pastor Mark Holmen and his Children/Youth and Family ministries have developed an integrated faith at home strategy that has been woven into their Sunday School program through a series of Take It Home events that equip households to bring Christ-like living back into the home. Come and experience a Take It Home event, as it would be led at Ventura Missionary Church, and also hear how these Take It Home events can enhance and strengthen your children's ministry program by making it more faith-at-home driven.

Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson has been serving in full-time ministry for over 19 years in many different capacities. Craig currently serves as Senior Director of Family Ministries at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX—the largest and fastest growing church in America—where he oversees multiple staff members, church leaders, and volunteers. He also serves as Lakewood's Children's Pastor. Since assuming this role in 2004, Craig has developed a nationally recognized children's ministry called Kidslife. Ministering to roughly 4,000 children each week, Kidslife is one of the largest children's ministries in the nation. Part of Kidslife's growth is due to Craig's successful recruitment of over 1,000 volunteers, and his authoring of several programming tools for children's ministry. Craig and his wife of 18 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

Breakout Description
With family dynamics changing so rapidly over the past years, have you found it difficult to effectively reach single parent families? Many single parents and their children feel separated or alone because the programs offered at times in church make them feel awkward, out of place, and isolated. Yet, the need to support and build single parent families by effectively identifying their specific needs has never been a greater challenge for children and family leaders than today. This breakout session will give you an understanding of the needs in today's single parent families and the tools to build a ministry that will support these families in knowing they were never meant to do life alone, but we were all created to do life together.

Dr. Ivy Beckwith
Dr. Ivy Beckwith, a widely respected author and speaker, serves as minister to children and families at the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Connecticut. An ordained Congregational minister, she is charged with involving children in the life of the church and in developing practices that nurture both children and families in their faith journeys. A graduate of Gordon College, she holds a Masters in Religious Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Education from Trinity International University. She has over 20 years of experience in Christian education in churches in New England and the Midwest and has worked in curriculum development for both Gospel Light Publications and Group Publishing. Ivy is a member of the of the Emergent Coordinating team and the Board of Directors of Mars Hill Graduate School in Bothell, Washington and has authored several books, including Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Centuryand her 2007 release, The Ultimate Survival Guide for Children's Ministry Workers.

Breakout Description
What are the essential skills for every children's ministry volunteer no matter what age group he or she teaches? This workshop will engage participants with each of these skills offering creative ways to pass them on to volunteers.

Chad Herman
Chad is the creator and director of 56 at LCBC Church in Manheim, Pennsylvania. 56 is a thriving ministry environment geared directly to 5th and 6th graders and was designed to reach students in their critical tween years. Chad is incredibly passionate about preteens and their monumental potential for hope, love, kindness, and life change. Chad lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife, Stephanie, and 5-month-old daughter.

Breakout Description
Come and check out one church's answer to reaching the tween. A fast paced, high-energy environment designed specifically for 5th and 6th grade students. The 56 ministry was created to help tween students have fun, make friends, experience life change, and encounter Jesus in the unique ways that only tweens can.

Laura Hebling
This is Laura's fourth year on staff in Promiseland, the children's ministry of Willow Creek Community Church; her second year as the Early Childhood Director. Her ministry includes overseeing large group programs, small group curriculum, and activities/crafts for infants through age 5, as well as leading and developing a fabulous Early Childhood team. Prior to her new position, Laura was the Age 4/5 Teacher in Promiseland. Laura first became involved with Promiseland as a child—she began attending at age 6, continued through fifth grade, and became a small group leader when she reached high school. She served as a small group leader throughout high school and college, and finds it amazing that she is still able to be part of this ministry. She currently lives in Algonquin, Illinois

Breakout Description
A spiritual foundation can form in toddlers! Come learn concepts to build into your curriculum that are critical for a toddlers' spiritual foundation, and learn techniques and principles to teach them.

Allison Sorrill
This is Allison's fourth year on staff in Promiseland as the Age 2 Teacher. She teaches the Bible creatively to 2 year olds, leads their worship, leads programming volunteers, directs, and writes and edits large group/small group curriculum. A graduate of Lincoln Christian College and Illinois State University, she holds degrees in both Bible and Early Childhood Education. Allison grew up in central Illinois and came to Willow Creek as an intern with the Willow Creek Association. While an intern, she began to serve in Promiseland. She has a strong desire to see young children begin to develop a relationship with God and see them grow. In addition to her work at church, she also is as a substitute teacher for Schaumburg District 54. For the past four years, she has served as a volunteer for Conference Operations in the WCA. She loves spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, and scrapbooking. Allison lives in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Nicole Silver
Nicole has been involved in children's ministry since 2003, when she first began working as an intern in Promiseland. Since that time, Nicole has served in various children's ministries assisting in program development, curriculum writing, drama and production. Nicole recently rejoined with Promiseland as the Age 3 Teacher after working as a curriculum writer and editor for Gospel Light Publications, where she also helped create and direct the skit and music videos for this year's SonRock Kids Camp VBS. As the Age 3 Teacher, Nicole directs the programming for exciting weekly children's productions that teach kids about God in engaging and age appropriate ways. Additional experience includes serving children with special needs and working as a preschool teacher. Nicole holds a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in theater from Azusa Pacific University.

Breakout Description
Pre-school kids can have a fun and meaningful worship experience. Come ready to learn the new songs and how to lead worship for your pre-school kids in this session.

Scottie May
Scottie May is an experienced church educator and developer of materials for children's ministries. She is coauthor of Children Matter, published by Eerdmans, and she contributed to Perspectives on Children's Spiritual Formation: Four Views, Children's Spirituality: Children's Perspectives, Research, and Applications, and coauthor of Listening to Children: Discovering Their Heart for God (to be released late 2009). Currently she is Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. She has also taught courses for Trinity University, Deerfield, Illinois, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and North Park Seminary, Chicago. She has a PhD in education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The Christian formation of children is an area of passion for Scottie. She has researched ways children come to faith and how the local church shapes that process. Other areas of interest are the power of the learning environments that the church creates, particularly 'authentic' experiential learning, the implications of the church being 'the family of God,' and intergenerational worship and learning experiences. For several years she worked as a Christian education consultant for major curriculum publisher providing resources and workshops for about a hundred churches a year. She serves in elementary-age children's ministries at her own church. Scottie has three adult children and eight grandchildren.

Breakout Description
Explore the spiritual formation in preschool.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
Are your small groups as effective as you would like? Take a look at some of the challenges in developing and maintaining effective small groups and discover how you can address those challenges to develop small groups that work.

Donna Hershock
Donna serves as the director of children's ministry at the DuPage campus of Willow Creek Community Church. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education, taught pre-school for 10 years, and has been serving in children's ministry for the past nine years. Donna and her husband, Scott, have two children: Chloe,13, and Brennan,11. Her driving passion is to help children develop a strong spiritual foundation in their early years of life and to surround them with people who can show them God's love.

Breakout Description
Finding and Keeping Volunteers Imagine recruiting volunteers who are excited to serve and who commit to serving long-term. Join Willow Creek Community Church expert Donna Hershock as she unpacks five fresh ways to recruit, train, and inspire volunteers who will be committed to loving God and loving kids.

Deanna Armentrout
Deanna's role in Promiseland has varied for the 14 years she has been on staff. She began in Promiseland as the teacher for 2nd & 3rd grade. Transitioning then to Drama Director for 10 years, she confidently passed that baton on to Brooke Sanford, who now passionately leads the team. Deanna's new role is Artistic Development. Her focus is training staff and volunteers in the areas of upfront communication, acting, and directing. She has 17 combined years of acting experience in university, professional, children's, and improvisational theatre. She received her BFA from the University Detroit and her MFA in performance from the University of Texas at Austin. During her graduate training, she taught both acting and training the speaking voice. Deanna and her husband, Rod, serve on the main stage Drama Team where they have volunteered for the past 16 years. She has led acting, directing, and voice workshops for Willow, as well as outside arts conferences. She is committed to developing people's gifts that creatively and effectively communicate truth which will prepare hearts to hear God's Word. The on-going production in her life is her wonderful son, Erik, and beautiful daughter, Anya!

Breakout Description
For anyone who leads music and or oversees music volunteers. This breakout will help you determine what is important for authentic worship and also to assist you in developing content and skills that will excite your team and engage kids in worship!

Lori Bethran
From the first talent show Lori planned at the age of 16, to the hundreds of events she has planned since, she has always found joy in creating a great event for participants and audiences alike. Lori is a seasoned veteran in event planning and enjoys finding the opportunities associated with the challenges of creating a successful event. Lori has a background in elementary education, and after spending three years teaching on the mission field in Belize, settled in the Chicago area in 1993. Her professional career includes seven years as the Programming Manager in the children's ministry at Willow Creek Community Church, leading their creative teams, and serving as the producer for large group weekend programs, volunteer events, staff events, and the children's ministry conference. Since 2004, Lori has been working with churches and para-church organizations to develop creative teams, produce conferences, videos and creative elements, develop products, and plan events. She currently works closely with Awana Clubs International and with the Willow Creek Association as the Director of Training and Product Development for the Children's Segment. As much as she loves the adventure of ministry, her greatest adventure is as a wife to Otis and mom to three boys ages 14, 13, and 10.

Breakout Description
Sweating over how you will create your next volunteer event, family event, or training event? Come join an interactive session with veteran event planner, Lori Bethran and learn some short cuts to planning an event, how to assemble the right team, and share your best creative event ideas with the best minds in Children's Ministry: YOU!

Matt Guevara
Matt Guevara is proud to be outnumbered in his house by his wonderful wife of six years, Noel, and two daughters, Isabel and Sofia. Matt has served on the KidsWorld staff at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Illinois since 2007 both as the Creative Arts Director and Grade School Group Life Director. Prior to that, Matt served as the Children's Pastor at Lake City Church in Madison, Wisconsin beginning in 2003. Matt is excited to finally complete his Masters Degree in Children's and Family Ministry at Bethel Seminary this May and he is working on a book proposal about ministering to digital learners. You'll often find Matt laughing at his own jokes, eating Chipotle, or goofing around on his iPhone.

Breakout Description
Children's ministry is at a unique and pivotal crossroads. We are serving and ministering to a generation of children who are fundamentally different both mentally and socially than previous generations as a result of the digital landscape in which they live. Ministry to digital learners needs to adopt radically different methodology while still maintaining theological and biblical foundations. Discover the unique characteristics of the digital learners and how to leverage those characteristics in large group, small group, and home environments. Be prepared for lively discussion and application strategies that you can adopt to reach digital learners confidently!

Dan Huffman
Children's Pastor at The Chapel, a multi-site church in Lake County, Illinois since January of 1999, Dan has seen the church grow from a few hundred people meeting in a high school to a thriving church of 6,000 with campuses in Grayslake, Libertyville, Mundelein, Barrington, and the Lake County Jail. Dan provides the strategic direction, spiritual development plan, and creative curriculum for each campus' children's ministry. Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and spent 15 years developing reporting tools and user interfaces for Fortune 500 companies before being called into full-time ministry in 1998. He was first introduced to children's ministry while serving in Willow Creek's Oasis ministry in 1994. Oasis is an outreach to children whose families are experiencing the pain of divorce. Dan and his beautiful wife, Kim, had both gone through that experience as children. Last year , Dan partnered with the Willow Creek Association to publish an innovative Grade School curriculum called The Stars of Christmas. Dan Kim, live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three energetic children: Noah 13, Grace 11, and Benjamin 6.

Breakout Description
Imagine creating sets for your children's ministry that are fun, engaging, creative, and relevant to your lesson! Think you need a million dollar budget to create a set like this - think again! Dan shares his tips for creating a fabulous set on a small budget.

Dan Huffman
Children's Pastor at The Chapel, a multi-site church in Lake County, Illinois since January of 1999, Dan has seen the church grow from a few hundred people meeting in a high school to a thriving church of 6,000 with campuses in Grayslake, Libertyville, Mundelein, Barrington, and the Lake County Jail. Dan provides the strategic direction, spiritual development plan, and creative curriculum for each campus' children's ministry. Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and spent 15 years developing reporting tools and user interfaces for Fortune 500 companies before being called into full-time ministry in 1998. He was first introduced to children's ministry while serving in Willow Creek's Oasis ministry in 1994. Oasis is an outreach to children whose families are experiencing the pain of divorce. Dan and his beautiful wife, Kim, had both gone through that experience as children. Last year , Dan partnered with the Willow Creek Association to publish an innovative Grade School curriculum called The Stars of Christmas. Dan Kim, live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three energetic children: Noah 13, Grace 11, and Benjamin 6.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Do you dream of having a an amazing environment for your children’s ministry? Think having children's space is only reserved for Mega-churches or Disney World? Dan and Kim will share insight gain from real-life experiences building exciting children’s ministry environments in both rented and permanent facilities. Learn how you can raise the level of excellence in your current environment no matter the size of your budget.

Brooke Sanford
Brooke Sanford, Promiseland Drama Director since 2004, began her training at Illinois Wesleyan University with a year in their Music Theatre BFA program, moving on to The Audition Studio in downtown Chicago, now known as Acting Studio Chicago. Later graduating from Wheaton College with her B.A. in English, Brooke continued to receive encouragement for her acting work there, and went on to work a stint in "the business" before God tapped her on the shoulder, to her surprise and delight, and called her to use her gifts in her home church, Willow Creek.

Breakout Description
Drama in Children's Ministry proclaims the same important goal as drama in any other ministry: to ring true. This breakout will explore concepts such as Action and Relationship and will equip you with practical tools for turning an over/under-acted sketch into believable reality that truly affects kids' hearts.

Chris Bos
Chris has been actively involved in children's ministry as both staff and a volunteer for the last 16 years and is currently on staff with The Chapel , a multi-site church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He was a part of the creative team that developed "The Stars of Christmas" and along with developing curriculum for children, he has been leading the family ministry at The Chapel called Family Fusion. Chris has been married to his amazing wife Christina for over seven years and they have adorable, 4- year- old boy/girl twins.

Breakout Description
Let's experience together both fun and impactful ways that a worship experience can builds a kids' faith.

Todd Hampson
Todd Hampson is the founder of Timbuktoons LLC, an animation and design studio dedicated to discipling children and impacting culture through creative media. Todd holds a B.A. in Art with a minor in Art History from the University of Maryland and also attended the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C. Before launching the company in 2003, Todd was the operations manager for the Department of the Interior's graphic arts, printing, and photography studio in Washington, D.C. He has also taught art classes and served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions at United Baptist Church in New Carrolton, Maryland; Faith Community Church in Gambrills, Maryland; and The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia, land of the fire ants. Todd can be found "doing research" at every animated feature film with his official focus group: wife, Tracey, and their three children. Todd hates fire ants, but loves Georgia.

He has also taught art classes and served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions at United Baptist Church in New Carrolton, Maryland, Faith Community Church in Gambrills, Maryland, and The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia, land of the fire ants. Todd can be found "doing research" at every animated feature film with his official focus group: wife, Tracey and their three children. Todd hates fire ants, but loves Georgia.

Sean Copley
Sean Copley has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 11 years and is the father of three children: Aaron, Caleb, and Leah. He has served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions. Currently he is serving as interim Children's Coordinator for The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia. Sean is also the creative director of Timbuktoons, LLC and holds a B.S. in Art Education from James Madison University in Virginia, and a Masters of Christian Communications from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Sean formerly served as communications consultant, web manager, design editor, and graphic designer for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware in Columbia, Maryland, where he helped develop the Mid-Atlantic Worship Expo and the Youth Performing and Visual Arts Camp.

Breakout Description
Get a behind the scenes look at the branding process for Conspire and learn how to effectively communicate your brand to your intended target audience. Explore the thought process and core principles of effective branding and creative experiences including case studies from creative churches, great tips on software and other resources. If you attended this session last year, you'll definitely want to attend this year!

Scottie May
Scottie May is an experienced church educator and developer of materials for children's ministries. She is coauthor of Children Matter, published by Eerdmans, and she contributed to Perspectives on Children's Spiritual Formation: Four Views, Children's Spirituality: Children's Perspectives, Research, and Applications, and coauthor of Listening to Children: Discovering Their Heart for God (to be released late 2009). Currently she is Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. She has also taught courses for Trinity University, Deerfield, Illinois, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and North Park Seminary, Chicago. She has a PhD in education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The Christian formation of children is an area of passion for Scottie. She has researched ways children come to faith and how the local church shapes that process. Other areas of interest are the power of the learning environments that the church creates, particularly 'authentic' experiential learning, the implications of the church being 'the family of God,' and intergenerational worship and learning experiences. For several years she worked as a Christian education consultant for major curriculum publisher providing resources and workshops for about a hundred churches a year. She serves in elementary-age children's ministries at her own church. Scottie has three adult children and eight grandchildren.

Breakout Description
Explore the spiritual formation of toddlers.

Bill Baumgart
Bill Baumgart is a highly relational person with a depth of content creation experience. His talents and experience as a songwriter and music producer combine well with his desire to communicate Christ creatively. This empowers him to lead a company with a uniquely media-minded mission. Bill's visionary bent led him to leave a successful career as a music producer in Nashville, where he helped shape the music and careers of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Carlisle, and 4Him to launch ORBIT MEDIA GROUP, KIDMO's parent company, with longtime friend and TV producer Tim Ellis. As CEO of Orbit, Bill oversees company operations, and serves as an Executive Producer for its media and music productions. "We lead with the passion that drives us, innovate with the creativity around us, and move forward with the energy God has given us. With an articulated transcendent purpose, individuals possess the courage to behave like revolutionaries. We offer our leaders, creators, staff, investors and customers the opportunity to become fellow WORLD CHANGERS and join us in this transformational mission."

Kai Vilhelmsen
Kai Vilhelmsen is creative by design with a love for kids and a heart for God. His degrees in Bible and Education, and years in Children's Ministry, combine uniquely with his experience as an actor, performer and writer. Kai brings energetic engagement to the entertaining and interactive educational experience that is Lil K. "I have a passion for kids to know that God is with them and Jesus loves them. This foundation of truth will help form their worldview as they grow. If church is fun and meaningful while communicating this simple truth, then they will be set up to say 'yes' to God as they get older."

Breakout Description
Media is a daily experience for preschoolers, but making it an interactive experience can change it from childcare to spiritual education. This session will unlock how media-driven resources can lower preparation time, be used with any volunteer, and increase opportunities for ministry through relationships. Experience a live session of KIDMO's Lil'K and get answers to your questions on how to begin the use of media with your preschoolers.

Laura Hebling
This is Laura's fourth year on staff in Promiseland, the children's ministry of Willow Creek Community Church; her second year as the Early Childhood Director. Her ministry includes overseeing large group programs, small group curriculum, and activities/crafts for infants through age 5, as well as leading and developing a fabulous Early Childhood team. Prior to her new position, Laura was the Age 4/5 Teacher in Promiseland. Laura first became involved with Promiseland as a child—she began attending at age 6, continued through fifth grade, and became a small group leader when she reached high school. She served as a small group leader throughout high school and college, and finds it amazing that she is still able to be part of this ministry. She currently lives in Algonquin, Illinois

Breakout Description
A spiritual foundation can form in toddlers! Come learn concepts to build into your curriculum that are critical for a toddlers' spiritual foundation, and learn techniques and principles to teach them.

Scottie May
Scottie May is an experienced church educator and developer of materials for children's ministries. She is coauthor of Children Matter, published by Eerdmans, and she contributed to Perspectives on Children's Spiritual Formation: Four Views, Children's Spirituality: Children's Perspectives, Research, and Applications, and coauthor of Listening to Children: Discovering Their Heart for God (to be released late 2009). Currently she is Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. She has also taught courses for Trinity University, Deerfield, Illinois, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and North Park Seminary, Chicago. She has a PhD in education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The Christian formation of children is an area of passion for Scottie. She has researched ways children come to faith and how the local church shapes that process. Other areas of interest are the power of the learning environments that the church creates, particularly 'authentic' experiential learning, the implications of the church being 'the family of God,' and intergenerational worship and learning experiences. For several years she worked as a Christian education consultant for major curriculum publisher providing resources and workshops for about a hundred churches a year. She serves in elementary-age children's ministries at her own church. Scottie has three adult children and eight grandchildren.

Breakout Description
Explore the spiritual formation in preschool.

Beth Bauer
Beth Bauer has been on the Promiseland staff team at Willow Creek Community Church for 11 years. She began in Promiseland as a division leader in the age 4/5 room and later served as Promiseland's Group Life Director. Currently, Beth is on the ministry's executive team, helping Promiseland move forward in its strategic plan. Beth enjoys helping people grow in their relationship with Christ. She has been married for 18 years to her husband, Carl. They and their two daughters, Maty and Jayne, live in Barrington, Illinois.

Breakout Description
Sometimes communicating to parents in your children's ministry can be tricky. In this session, you'll discover strategies for communicating both information and vision to parents. Learn practical tips for communicating well in a multi-media world and explore ideas for electronic, print, and verbal communication so that your partnership with parents extends past your ministry and into homes.

Rob Rienow
Rob married Amy in 1994 and they have been blessed with five children. His most important ministry is loving his wife and leading his children to know God and love Him. Rob's mom came to Christ shortly after he was born so he was blessed to be introduced to Jesus at an early age. His parents divorced when he was in high school and God used that painful time in his life to give him a heart for young people and families going through dark times. He attended Wheaton College, then completed an M.A. in theology at Wheaton College Graduate School, an MDiv from Trinity International Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He served as a Youth Pastor at Wheaton Bible Church from 1993-2004, and now serves there in the role of Family Pastor. He is the author of the book God's Grand Vision for the Home. He and his wife Amy have founded a ministry called Visionary Parenting, which inspires parents and grandparents to disciple their children, and equips churches to build biblical family ministries. Rob and Amy live in Wheaton, Illinois.

Breakout Description
Most church leaders believe that parents and grandparents are to be the primary spiritual trainers of their children. But is it really happening in your church? Do your youth and children's ministries equip the parents, or do the work of discipleship apart from them? In this workshop, you will learn dynamic biblical messages that you can share with the families of your church that will inspire them to embrace God's call to disciple their children.

Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson has been serving in full-time ministry for over 19 years in many different capacities. Craig currently serves as Senior Director of Family Ministries at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX—the largest and fastest growing church in America—where he oversees multiple staff members, church leaders, and volunteers. He also serves as Lakewood's Children's Pastor. Since assuming this role in 2004, Craig has developed a nationally recognized children's ministry called Kidslife. Ministering to roughly 4,000 children each week, Kidslife is one of the largest children's ministries in the nation. Part of Kidslife's growth is due to Craig's successful recruitment of over 1,000 volunteers, and his authoring of several programming tools for children's ministry. Craig and his wife of 18 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

Breakout Description
With family dynamics changing so rapidly over the past years, have you found it difficult to effectively reach single parent families? Many single parents and their children feel separated or alone because the programs offered at times in church make them feel awkward, out of place, and isolated. Yet, the need to support and build single parent families by effectively identifying their specific needs has never been a greater challenge for children and family leaders than today. This breakout session will give you an understanding of the needs in today's single parent families and the tools to build a ministry that will support these families in knowing they were never meant to do life alone, but we were all created to do life together.

Mark Holmen
Mark A. Holmen is the author of the books Faith Begins at Home, Building Faith At Home, and Take It Home. In his role as senior pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California, Mark has developed and implemented a model for becoming a church "OF" family ministry that is gaining national and international acclaim and has been featured by ministries including Willow Creek Association, The Barna Group, and Focus on the Family.

Breakout Description
Equipping the home to be the primary place where faith is nurtured is bigger than children's ministry and requires a church-wide methodology more than a specific ministry model. Come and hear some keys and traps to avoid that will help you integrate and incorporate ALL the ministries of your church, including your senior pastor, in your vision and strategy to bring Christ and Christ-like living back into the center of every household.

Cindy Disney-Gainey
Cindy Disney-Gainey serves as the director for the children's ministry at the North Shore campus of Willow Creek Community Church. She came onto Willow's staff seven years ago after serving as a volunteer with the 3-year-olds and is thrilled to be a part of Willow's gifted team of staff and volunteers. She lives in Chicago with her husband and is the mom to a 5-year-old and 2-year-old twins. She loves serving with her family!

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson has been serving in full-time ministry for over 19 years in many different capacities. Craig currently serves as Senior Director of Family Ministries at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX—the largest and fastest growing church in America—where he oversees multiple staff members, church leaders, and volunteers. He also serves as Lakewood's Children's Pastor. Since assuming this role in 2004, Craig has developed a nationally recognized children's ministry called Kidslife. Ministering to roughly 4,000 children each week, Kidslife is one of the largest children's ministries in the nation. Part of Kidslife's growth is due to Craig's successful recruitment of over 1,000 volunteers, and his authoring of several programming tools for children's ministry. Craig and his wife of 18 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

Breakout Description
Children's Ministry Leaders are often asked to lead through change on multiple levels whether it's changes in staff, volunteers, or changes in curriculum or philosophy. Leading through change can be both an exciting and daunting task. Hear first hand from David Wei and Craig Johnsonl as they share their experiences in leading change in children's ministry.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Every child deserves to feel emotionally safe while at church. Join Beth Racine as she unpacks the keys to creating emotional safety for kids so that they develop trust while in your children's ministry. Learn practical tools that will change the climate of your ministry so that kids feel loved, safe, and respected.

Michael Novelli
Michael Novelli is the founder of Echo, where he has spent the last four years developing narratives and training to help others discover the art of "Storying," a dialogical approach to teaching the Bible. For almost 15 years, he has led student ministries in local churches in the Chicago area.

Breakout Description
Looking for a new and interactive way to get your older kids engaged? After 10 years in youth ministry, Michael Novelli felt like he had tried everything to help kids connect with the Bible. Then, a missionary introduced him to a unique, ancient way to engage people with the Bible through story. Michael learned the art of "Storying," a sequential telling of Bible stories followed by a time of creative retelling and in-depth dialogue. God used this process to completely transform his youth group as they found themselves experiencing God in a whole new way. Now, Michael is helping youth and children's leaders explore Bible storying in a media-literate, story- oriented North American context. Come and discuss how storying might look in your world!

Bill Baumgart
Bill Baumgart is a highly relational person with a depth of content creation experience. His talents and experience as a songwriter and music producer combine well with his desire to communicate Christ creatively. This empowers him to lead a company with a uniquely media-minded mission. Bill's visionary bent led him to leave a successful career as a music producer in Nashville, where he helped shape the music and careers of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Carlisle, and 4Him to launch ORBIT MEDIA GROUP, KIDMO's parent company, with longtime friend and TV producer Tim Ellis. As CEO of Orbit, Bill oversees company operations, and serves as an Executive Producer for its media and music productions. "We lead with the passion that drives us, innovate with the creativity around us, and move forward with the energy God has given us. With an articulated transcendent purpose, individuals possess the courage to behave like revolutionaries. We offer our leaders, creators, staff, investors and customers the opportunity to become fellow WORLD CHANGERS and join us in this transformational mission."

Johnny Rogers
Johnny Rogers' passion for God's Word connects with kids. Twenty years of children's ministry and entertainment have perfected Johnny's energetic, off-the-wall Bible teaching style making him irresistible. Johnny's weekly, media-based program at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church drew more than 2,000 kids per week. In 2003 he left Saddleback to partner with Bill Baumgart and Tim Ellis to create KIDMO, the media-based children's curriculum that has since been utilized by more than 7000 churches. "It moves me deeply hear all the stories of kids' and their families' lives being transformed. Its exciting for all of us when the Bible applies to everyday and we learn how to live it out. KIDMO is designed to release the children's ministry pressure valve. It turns what used to be prep time into relationship time with the kids. This allows children's ministry leaders to be quality mentors that kids so desperately need."

Breakout Description
How does a media driven program work? What does it look like? Why is it effective? How can utilizing media actually enhance learning and enable better and deeper connections between teachers and kids? We will peel back the mystery of what makes media work by walking through a live KIDMO experience and answer the questions you have about the challenges of integrating a media-driven program.

Jackie Glass
Jackie Glass is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Therapist at a private practice in Wheaton, Illinois, in which she continually interfaces with children and adolescents wrestling with spiritual growth. She also works in the Children's Segment at the Willow Creek Association helping to make a difference in the lives of children. Previous, Jackie was the Assistant Director of Community Care at Willow Creek Community Church serving those in need of resources and spiritual guidance. Jackie has been married for three years and is expecting a baby girl.

Breakout Description
Do you have a passion to see early adolescents not only survive but thrive? Come join us as we unlock keys to understanding and entering the lives of early adolescents. We'll learn how to relate, mediate, and advocate for children in this developmental stage as they navigate through life.

Jill Nelson
Jill Nelson is the Children's Ministries Director at Morning Star Community Church in Salem Oregon. She grew up the child of a Children's Director and can't remember a time when ministry wasn't talked about in her home—she always knew that God would lead her to serve children (figuring it would be when she was older—and knew what she was talking about!), and was blessed by the opportunity to be trained for nine months by her mom before assuming the full directorship. Jill and her husband, Nolan, married in May of 2006 and enjoy serving the children of their church together. She is passionate about what she does, and loves seeing ministry done well.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
For many churches, reaching the grade 4/5 kids has proven very challenging. They're too old for "children's ministry", but not quite ready for jr. high. Join us for a discussion on how to reach these kids in an innovative way.

Johnny Rogers
Johnny Rogers' passion for God's Word connects with kids. Twenty years of children's ministry and entertainment have perfected Johnny's energetic, off-the-wall Bible teaching style making him irresistible. Johnny's weekly, media-based program at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church drew more than 2,000 kids per week. In 2003 he left Saddleback to partner with Bill Baumgart and Tim Ellis to create KIDMO, the media-based children's curriculum that has since been utilized by more than 7000 churches. "It moves me deeply hear all the stories of kids' and their families' lives being transformed. Its exciting for all of us when the Bible applies to everyday and we learn how to live it out. KIDMO is designed to release the children's ministry pressure valve. It turns what used to be prep time into relationship time with the kids. This allows children's ministry leaders to be quality mentors that kids so desperately need."

Breakout Description
If you believe kids can change the world, then this session is for you. Kids need a mentor, someone who will make an intentional investment in their life. Kids need a mission to go out and do something specific, and they need a measuring point that helps each child know they are right on track. We'll unpack each of these key points and equip you to inspire the world changers in your ministry.

Susan Shadid
The daughter of missionaries, Susan spent 22 years teaching in the public schools. She joined the Willow Creek Community Church Promiseland staff full-tme in 1996. She is the Director of Training for Promiseland and has a passion to see volunteers grow in their teaching and shepherding skills. She has been involved in curriculum development, staff development, and training. Her knowledge and experiences have enabled her to integrate educational research, design, and development into the curriculum and all areas of training within Promiseland. A world traveler, Susan is always eager to jump in a car or hop on a plane or a camel to explore different places and meet new people. She has visited 28 countries, sometimes serving, sometimes teaching, but always learning. Doing life with family and friends, learning and interacting with her nephews and nieces are some of her greatest pleasures. She volunteers as a teacher and in content development in the Spiritual Mentoring ministry at Willow Creek.

Breakout Description
Children's Ministry is about joining kids in their spiritual journey. Together, we will explore ages and stages of their spiritual growth and discover ways to help kids develop their faith.

Chad Herman
Chad is the creator and director of 56 at LCBC Church in Manheim, Pennsylvania. 56 is a thriving ministry environment geared directly to 5th and 6th graders and was designed to reach students in their critical tween years. Chad is incredibly passionate about preteens and their monumental potential for hope, love, kindness, and life change. Chad lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife, Stephanie, and 5-month-old daughter.

Breakout Description
Come and check out one church's answer to reaching the tween. A fast paced, high-energy environment designed specifically for 5th and 6th grade students. The 56 ministry was created to help tween students have fun, make friends, experience life change, and encounter Jesus in the unique ways that only tweens can.

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Breakout Description
If you wish to unleash the leadership potential of your team members, you will need to develop and communicate a clear vision, overcome the obstacles to greater ministry impact, and focus their God-given talents and gifts. Walk away with practical tools to improve your skills in these key areas.

Gary Webb
Gary Webb is the Executive Director of Children and Student Ministries at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria, Illinois. In this capacity, Gary provides direct leadership over multiple paid ministry staff and hundreds of volunteers in ministries from birth through college. Gary has been on staff at Northwoods since 1999 and has varied experience in leading workshops, training, and church leadership development.

Breakout Description
The demands of ministry are great, so Children's Ministry leaders must keep a healthy view of the scope of their influence. Leaders must first lead themselves well, extend themselves to other leaders, be ambassadors for their ministry, and be diverse in their scope of leadership. This workshop will help ministry leaders explore many aspects of being a fully developed leader.

Bo Boshers
Bo Boshers is the motivating and visionary Executive Director of Student Ministries in the Willow Creek Association. For almost a decade, Bo was the Director of Student Impact where he led an outreach of over 1,000 students at the high school ministry of Willow Creek Community Church. Bo's current role allows him to focus extensively on his passion area of training, encouraging, and mentoring students and ministry leaders from around the world. With his 20-plus years of ministry experience, Bo has much to offer. As Champion of the WCA Student Ministries Movement, his responsibilities include writing, speaking at workshops and conferences worldwide, coaching and mentoring likeminded youth pastors, and leading the annual Shift Student Ministries Conference at Willow Creek Community Church. Bo has contributed material for several books and has authored The Be-With Factor: Mentoring Students in Everyday Life, The Be-With Factor: Six Questions Students Need To Ask About Life With God, and Becoming a Contagious Christian: Youth Edition. Bo, his wife Gloria, and their three kids—originally from Santa Monica, California—now live in Algonquin, Illinois.

Breakout Description
This breakout is for parents who lead in children's ministry. Balancing the demands of ministry and family presents a challenge for anyone involved in children's ministry. Address the real issues that, if not dealt with, will end up costing who you love and cherish most: our kids and spouse. Get ready to take away real solutions that will help you foster a positive and healthy family environment for yourself and lead a prevailing children's ministry.

Scott Rubin
Scott is the director of Elevate, the junior high ministry at Willow Creek Community Church. Scott's been on the staff at Willow Creek for 17 years, and he recently co-authored a couple of books in the Middle School Survival series: "My Future" and "My Changes", as well as a book called "Kurt and Scott's Jr.High Adventure." Scott been married to Lynette for 17 years, and they have three sons.

Ralph Rollers
Ralph is the Director of Operations for Promiseland, the childrens ministry of Willow Creek Community Church. He has been on staff with the Promiseland team for 12 years. He has been married to Jennifer for 17 years and they have three daughters; Allison, Brooke and Katelyn. Ralph enjoys sports, including coaching his daughters softball and basketball teams.

Breakout Description
Sometimes transitioning kids from Children's Ministry to Jr. High Ministry can be tricky, yet is a critical time in a child's life. Experience an interactive discussion with a member of the Promiseland Executive Team and Scott Rubin, Elevate Jr. High Ministry Director as they explore the discoveries they've made in creating successful transitions. Learn practical tools for communicating to families, choosing relevant activities, and planning transition events

Nancy Beach
Nancy Beach is Executive Vice-President for the Arts at Willow Creek Association, focusing full time on serving arts leaders and their teams in churches around the world. Previously, she served for 20 years as the Programming Director for Willow Creek Community Church in So. Barrington, Illinois, building a community of artists who sought to create transformational moments in Sunday morning church services. She continues to serve as a teaching pastor at Willow and speaks often at conferences and training events. In her book, The Hour on Sunday, Nancy expresses the core vision and values she believes are foundational to any effective arts ministry. Nancy and her husband, Warren, live in Barrington with their two teenage daughters and a cat named Elphaba.

Breakout Description
Leadership for both men and women is demanding, but women often encounter additional challenges as they seek to lead in the church. In this interactive workshop, we will explore several of the issues faced by women leaders in order to learn from one another, stretch one another, and remind ourselves that we are not as alone as we may think we are. Nancy Beach has served for over 20 years as a leader in the church. She will draw on her own experience and her extensive dialogues with other women leaders to facilitate this experience.

Dr. Ivy Beckwith
Dr. Ivy Beckwith, a widely respected author and speaker, serves as minister to children and families at the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Connecticut. An ordained Congregational minister, she is charged with involving children in the life of the church and in developing practices that nurture both children and families in their faith journeys. A graduate of Gordon College, she holds a Masters in Religious Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Education from Trinity International University. She has over 20 years of experience in Christian education in churches in New England and the Midwest and has worked in curriculum development for both Gospel Light Publications and Group Publishing. Ivy is a member of the of the Emergent Coordinating team and the Board of Directors of Mars Hill Graduate School in Bothell, Washington and has authored several books, including Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Centuryand her 2007 release, The Ultimate Survival Guide for Children's Ministry Workers.

Breakout Description
Much of the millennial generation and the generation that follows hold a postmodern world view and ethos. This workshop will explore this world view and its implications for the role of the faith community in the spiritual formation of its children.

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Breakout Description
Join us for an interactive breakout session in which we will investigate the cultural forces and influences behind teens abandoning their faith in record numbers while proposing ideas and innovations to stem the tide.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Have you found yourself in a place of leading a children's ministry and you're still scratching your head wondering, "Hey, how did I get here?" Well, God knows and He does have a plan for you and for the ministry He's given you to lead! Now the fun begins… join us for a session of exploration of the ins and outs of children's ministry and all the things you'll need to know as you begin a new adventure in leadership and servanthood.

Dr. Ivy Beckwith
Dr. Ivy Beckwith, a widely respected author and speaker, serves as minister to children and families at the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Connecticut. An ordained Congregational minister, she is charged with involving children in the life of the church and in developing practices that nurture both children and families in their faith journeys. A graduate of Gordon College, she holds a Masters in Religious Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Education from Trinity International University. She has over 20 years of experience in Christian education in churches in New England and the Midwest and has worked in curriculum development for both Gospel Light Publications and Group Publishing. Ivy is a member of the of the Emergent Coordinating team and the Board of Directors of Mars Hill Graduate School in Bothell, Washington and has authored several books, including Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Centuryand her 2007 release, The Ultimate Survival Guide for Children's Ministry Workers.

Breakout Description
What are the essential skills for every children's ministry volunteer no matter what age group he or she teaches? This workshop will engage participants with each of these skills offering creative ways to pass them on to volunteers.

Maria Diaz
Maria S. Diaz is the Director of Protection for Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved in children's ministries for over 16 years. She holds a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, a B.A. in Business from Felician College, and a Masters Degree in Management from North Park University. Maria has extensive short-term missionary experience helping church planters establish viable children's ministries across America. She has been a children's director for three churches over 10 years as well as taught special needs children in the Chicago Public School system. She relocated from the East Coast in 2004, after running one of the largest, state of the art preschools in Tenafly, New Jersey abreast the many changes in security and safety during the aftermath of September 11th. Maria is committed in helping the bride of Christ maximize its full potential in reaching children by providing safe havens where kids can come and learn about Jesus. Maria currently resides in Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois with her loving boxer, Vinny.

Breakout Description
Have you wanted to put a a child protection program into place at your church, but haven't been able to implement it just yet? Then this class is just right for you. You will learn how to create a strategic plan for implementing a child protection program that fits your church, learn the nuts and bolts of a comprehensive protection policy which includes screening and supervision of volunteers, and how to conduct interviews and character references as well as processing background check, policy execution and training tips. This class will be most helpful for churches without a protection policy in place.

Maria Diaz
Maria S. Diaz is the Director of Protection for Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved in children's ministries for over 16 years. She holds a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, a B.A. in Business from Felician College, and a Masters Degree in Management from North Park University. Maria has extensive short-term missionary experience helping church planters establish viable children's ministries across America. She has been a children's director for three churches over 10 years as well as taught special needs children in the Chicago Public School system. She relocated from the East Coast in 2004, after running one of the largest, state of the art preschools in Tenafly, New Jersey abreast the many changes in security and safety during the aftermath of September 11th. Maria is committed in helping the bride of Christ maximize its full potential in reaching children by providing safe havens where kids can come and learn about Jesus. Maria currently resides in Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois with her loving boxer, Vinny.

Dr. Ronald Ercoli
Dr. Ronald Ercoli, Psy.D. received his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1997 from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and has been licensed as a clinical psychologist in the State of Illinois since 1998. Dr. Ercoli has worked on staff at Willow since 1998, directing oversight of the Protection Ministry and has helped develop its policies and procedures and works with the leadership of the church to handle issues of reporting and responding to allegations of abuse. Prior to coming on staff at Willow Creek, he worked and specialized in treating adolescent sex offenders, and currently maintains a private practice as well, specializing in men's issues. Dr. Ercoli has been married for 22 years to his wife, Laura, and has three children.

Jim Pluymert
Jim Pluymert is an attorney and partner at the law firm of Pluymert, Piercey, MacDonald & Amato, Ltd. in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where his law practice concentrates in church law, not-for-profit law, mediation and arbitration, and civil litigation. Jim is a member of Mediation Law Group, a nationwide conflict management group, and he is a Certified Christian Conciliator through Peacemaker Ministries. Jim leads the conciliation team at Willow Creek Community Church, and has served as a mediator and/or arbitrator in both secular and church related cases involving business disputes, employment disputes, church disputes, and interpersonal conflicts.

Breakout Description
Child Protection is important for every children's ministry. During this workshop you will learn how to help your ministry detect and report abuse and how to reduce risk by handling unhealthy patterns and circumstances arising with a staff member or a volunteer. Child protection experts Maria Diaz, Ron Ercoli and Jim Pluymaert will help you develop practical strategies for conducting interviews and handling situations with previous offenders. This class will be most helpful for churches with a protection policy in place.

Chad Herman
Chad is the creator and director of 56 at LCBC Church in Manheim, Pennsylvania. 56 is a thriving ministry environment geared directly to 5th and 6th graders and was designed to reach students in their critical tween years. Chad is incredibly passionate about preteens and their monumental potential for hope, love, kindness, and life change. Chad lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife, Stephanie, and 5-month-old daughter.

Breakout Description
5th and 6th graders are often caught in the "tween limbo" being too young for this and too old for that. This break out addresses the importance of this age gap and gives practical strategies and examples of how one church answered this problem by creating a thriving ministry environment specifically designed to reach the tween.

Mickie O'Donnell
Mickie O'Donnell has worked in the educational and counseling ministries in the local church since 1976 starting in jr. high and college ministries. She is a 1985 graduate of The University of Aberdeen Scotland and also a 1991 gradualte of Trinity Divinity School with a Masters of Religious Education. Mickie served as Minister of Christian Education at Westhill Christian Fellowship in Aberdeen, Scotland; at The Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook, Illinois for 11 years; as Director of Children's Ministries at Christ Church of Oak Brook, Oak Brook Illinois for three years; and as Associate Pastor at River of Life Church formerly in Downers Grove, Illinois until 2003. She has been a counselor for families and children since 1985 specializing in play therapy with children, parent education, and women's issues. Currently, Mickie serves as Minister of Spiritual Formation at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Illinois. She is the mother of four grown children and has two granddaughters.

Breakout Description
Over the past 15 years, learning theory has taken many different paths to try to explain HOW we retain and learn. Is there a difference between Multiple Intelligence's Theory and Learning Styles or is it the proverbial "Blind descriptions of two ends of the elephant"? Come find out what all of these terms mean and how they will impact what you do and how effective you can become.

Mark Holmen
Mark A. Holmen is the author of the books Faith Begins at Home, Building Faith At Home, and Take It Home. In his role as senior pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California, Mark has developed and implemented a model for becoming a church "OF" family ministry that is gaining national and international acclaim and has been featured by ministries including Willow Creek Association, The Barna Group, and Focus on the Family.

Dave Teixeira
Dave Teixeira has been ministering to families through the local church for over eleven years. He currently serves as the Children, Youth & Family Pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California. Entrenched in the process of building an integrated family ministry at VMC, Dave is the co-author (along with Mark Holmen) of Take It Home, a resource to help churches empower parents. Dave not only works to help families pass on faith to their kids, he and his wife Amy have two children of their own. "Passing on a relationship with Jesus Christ is something I face every day when I look into the eyes of my kids. I know how hard it is to be the family God calls us to be, and I want the church to be a place where families can go for help and support."

Breakout Description
Would you like to reestablish the home as the primary place where faith is nurtured through your Children's Ministry program? Pastor Mark Holmen and his Children/Youth and Family ministries have developed an integrated faith at home strategy that has been woven into their Sunday School program through a series of Take It Home events that equip households to bring Christ-like living back into the home. Come and experience a Take It Home event, as it would be led at Ventura Missionary Church, and also hear how these Take It Home events can enhance and strengthen your children's ministry program by making it more faith-at-home driven.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Often, children's ministry leaders are faced with the task of walking kids through family transitions including a parent's divorce or a death in the family, yet often are inadequately trained for this difficult task. Discover the stages of grief and loss in a child's life and discover practical tools for helping children cope with these life changes.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
Have you ever felt like your small group times could use some fresh ideas? Join Chris Bos and Jill Nelson as they discuss new ideas for leading transformational small groups. You'll hear new practices for helping children learn Bible stories, biblical truth and relevant application during small group time.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Be inspired as you discover new ways to create a positive culture of discipline in your children's ministry. As you unpack your philosophy of discipline, you'll learn how to create a culture where discipline can be instructional and life-changing, ultimately leading a child into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
Are your small groups as effective as you would like? Take a look at some of the challenges in developing and maintaining effective small groups and discover how you can address those challenges to develop small groups that work.

Tom Bienert
Tom joined the Willow Creek Promiseland staff team in 1995 and currently is the Promiseland Group Life Director at Willow Creek McHenry County where he oversees 250 volunteers. He has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Capital Bible Seminary and a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Tom is in his 30th year of full-time ministry having served as a children's ministry director, youth pastor, and senior pastor in San Diego and Baltimore. In 1997, Tom and his wife, Bonnie, co-founded Christian Youth Theater Chicago, a children's after-school theater program that yearly helps over a thousand kids develop up-front stage skills. Tom and Bonnie reside in Crystal Lake, Illinois where they are passionate parents of seven children and three grandchildren.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Lou Ann Pence
Lou Ann Pence has been Director of Children and Family Ministries at Vale Community Church in Bloomington, Illinois, since 2005. She brings a background of volunteer service in various ministries throughout the church and professional experience in administration and personnel. Lou Ann's ministry is fueled by a passion for helping families learn, worship, pray, and serve together so that children will have a foundation upon which to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Lou Ann and her husband, Donnie, have two grown children and find delight in their three grandchildren. Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Retaining volunteers can sometimes be both difficult and overwhelming. Imagine hearing from three seasoned experts about their best practices in recruiting and encouraging long-term volunteer service. Join Lou Ann Pence, Kim Huffman, and Tom Bienert as they discuss practical ways to help volunteers serve for the long-haul.

Larry Shallenberger
Larry Shallenberger is Pastor of Next Generations Ministries at Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania where he has served since 1997. Larry has been married to his wife, Amy, for 12 years. Together, they are raising three sons. Larry is a monthly columnist for www.churchvolunteercentral.com and the author of several books and magazine articles, including Lead the Way God Made You: Discovering Your Leadership Style for Children's Ministry. Larry is currently on the national board of directors for The Mentoring Project, an organization founded by best-selling author Donald Miller, which is dedicated to empowering churches to reverse the American crisis of fatherlessness. Larry blogs about cultural trends that impact children's ministry at www.childrensministryandculture.wordpress.com.

Breakout Description
The Millennial have hit the workforce and they are filled with energy and idealism. Do you know how to cgnnect with and embrace this Generation on your volunteer team? Every generation has a personality. Discover what Millennial and High School students think about team, work, pace, and supervision and turbocharge your volunteer base.

Gary Webb
Gary Webb is the Executive Director of Children and Student Ministries at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria, Illinois. In this capacity, Gary provides direct leadership over multiple paid ministry staff and hundreds of volunteers in ministries from birth through college. Gary has been on staff at Northwoods since 1999 and has varied experience in leading workshops, training, and church leadership development.

Breakout Description
Dealing with difficult volunteers can often be challenging and overwhelming. Gary Webb will share lessons learned on successful strategies for tough volunteer situations, including lessons in: communicating clearly, setting clear expectations, and placing volunteers in roles that match their gifts.

Donna Hershock
Donna serves as the director of children's ministry at the DuPage campus of Willow Creek Community Church. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education, taught pre-school for 10 years, and has been serving in children's ministry for the past nine years. Donna and her husband, Scott, have two children: Chloe,13, and Brennan,11. Her driving passion is to help children develop a strong spiritual foundation in their early years of life and to surround them with people who can show them God's love.

Breakout Description
Finding and Keeping Volunteers Imagine recruiting volunteers who are excited to serve and who commit to serving long-term. Join Willow Creek Community Church expert Donna Hershock as she unpacks five fresh ways to recruit, train, and inspire volunteers who will be committed to loving God and loving kids.

Deanna Armentrout
Deanna's role in Promiseland has varied for the 14 years she has been on staff. She began in Promiseland as the teacher for 2nd & 3rd grade. Transitioning then to Drama Director for 10 years, she confidently passed that baton on to Brooke Sanford, who now passionately leads the team. Deanna's new role is Artistic Development. Her focus is training staff and volunteers in the areas of upfront communication, acting, and directing. She has 17 combined years of acting experience in university, professional, children's, and improvisational theatre. She received her BFA from the University Detroit and her MFA in performance from the University of Texas at Austin. During her graduate training, she taught both acting and training the speaking voice. Deanna and her husband, Rod, serve on the main stage Drama Team where they have volunteered for the past 16 years. She has led acting, directing, and voice workshops for Willow, as well as outside arts conferences. She is committed to developing people's gifts that creatively and effectively communicate truth which will prepare hearts to hear God's Word. The on-going production in her life is her wonderful son, Erik, and beautiful daughter, Anya!

Breakout Description
For anyone who leads music and or oversees music volunteers. This breakout will help you determine what is important for authentic worship and also to assist you in developing content and skills that will excite your team and engage kids in worship!

Mark Holmen
Mark A. Holmen is the author of the books Faith Begins at Home, Building Faith At Home, and Take It Home. In his role as senior pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California, Mark has developed and implemented a model for becoming a church "OF" family ministry that is gaining national and international acclaim and has been featured by ministries including Willow Creek Association, The Barna Group, and Focus on the Family.

Breakout Description
Equipping the home to be the primary place where faith is nurtured is bigger than children's ministry and requires a church-wide methodology more than a specific ministry model. Come and hear some keys and traps to avoid that will help you integrate and incorporate ALL the ministries of your church, including your senior pastor, in your vision and strategy to bring Christ and Christ-like living back into the center of every household.

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Breakout Description
If you wish to unleash the leadership potential of your team members, you will need to develop and communicate a clear vision, overcome the obstacles to greater ministry impact, and focus their God-given talents and gifts. Walk away with practical tools to improve your skills in these key areas.

Lori Bethran
From the first talent show Lori planned at the age of 16, to the hundreds of events she has planned since, she has always found joy in creating a great event for participants and audiences alike. Lori is a seasoned veteran in event planning and enjoys finding the opportunities associated with the challenges of creating a successful event. Lori has a background in elementary education, and after spending three years teaching on the mission field in Belize, settled in the Chicago area in 1993. Her professional career includes seven years as the Programming Manager in the children's ministry at Willow Creek Community Church, leading their creative teams, and serving as the producer for large group weekend programs, volunteer events, staff events, and the children's ministry conference. Since 2004, Lori has been working with churches and para-church organizations to develop creative teams, produce conferences, videos and creative elements, develop products, and plan events. She currently works closely with Awana Clubs International and with the Willow Creek Association as the Director of Training and Product Development for the Children's Segment. As much as she loves the adventure of ministry, her greatest adventure is as a wife to Otis and mom to three boys ages 14, 13, and 10.

Breakout Description
Sweating over how you will create your next volunteer event, family event, or training event? Come join an interactive session with veteran event planner, Lori Bethran and learn some short cuts to planning an event, how to assemble the right team, and share your best creative event ideas with the best minds in Children's Ministry: YOU!

Matt Guevara
Matt Guevara is proud to be outnumbered in his house by his wonderful wife of six years, Noel, and two daughters, Isabel and Sofia. Matt has served on the KidsWorld staff at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Illinois since 2007 both as the Creative Arts Director and Grade School Group Life Director. Prior to that, Matt served as the Children's Pastor at Lake City Church in Madison, Wisconsin beginning in 2003. Matt is excited to finally complete his Masters Degree in Children's and Family Ministry at Bethel Seminary this May and he is working on a book proposal about ministering to digital learners. You'll often find Matt laughing at his own jokes, eating Chipotle, or goofing around on his iPhone.

Breakout Description
Children's ministry is at a unique and pivotal crossroads. We are serving and ministering to a generation of children who are fundamentally different both mentally and socially than previous generations as a result of the digital landscape in which they live. Ministry to digital learners needs to adopt radically different methodology while still maintaining theological and biblical foundations. Discover the unique characteristics of the digital learners and how to leverage those characteristics in large group, small group, and home environments. Be prepared for lively discussion and application strategies that you can adopt to reach digital learners confidently!

Michael Novelli
Michael Novelli is the founder of Echo, where he has spent the last four years developing narratives and training to help others discover the art of "Storying," a dialogical approach to teaching the Bible. For almost 15 years, he has led student ministries in local churches in the Chicago area.

Breakout Description
Looking for a new and interactive way to get your older kids engaged? After 10 years in youth ministry, Michael Novelli felt like he had tried everything to help kids connect with the Bible. Then, a missionary introduced him to a unique, ancient way to engage people with the Bible through story. Michael learned the art of "Storying," a sequential telling of Bible stories followed by a time of creative retelling and in-depth dialogue. God used this process to completely transform his youth group as they found themselves experiencing God in a whole new way. Now, Michael is helping youth and children's leaders explore Bible storying in a media-literate, story- oriented North American context. Come and discuss how storying might look in your world!

Gary Webb
Gary Webb is the Executive Director of Children and Student Ministries at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria, Illinois. In this capacity, Gary provides direct leadership over multiple paid ministry staff and hundreds of volunteers in ministries from birth through college. Gary has been on staff at Northwoods since 1999 and has varied experience in leading workshops, training, and church leadership development.

Breakout Description
The demands of ministry are great, so Children's Ministry leaders must keep a healthy view of the scope of their influence. Leaders must first lead themselves well, extend themselves to other leaders, be ambassadors for their ministry, and be diverse in their scope of leadership. This workshop will help ministry leaders explore many aspects of being a fully developed leader.

Bo Boshers
Bo Boshers is the motivating and visionary Executive Director of Student Ministries in the Willow Creek Association. For almost a decade, Bo was the Director of Student Impact where he led an outreach of over 1,000 students at the high school ministry of Willow Creek Community Church. Bo's current role allows him to focus extensively on his passion area of training, encouraging, and mentoring students and ministry leaders from around the world. With his 20-plus years of ministry experience, Bo has much to offer. As Champion of the WCA Student Ministries Movement, his responsibilities include writing, speaking at workshops and conferences worldwide, coaching and mentoring likeminded youth pastors, and leading the annual Shift Student Ministries Conference at Willow Creek Community Church. Bo has contributed material for several books and has authored The Be-With Factor: Mentoring Students in Everyday Life, The Be-With Factor: Six Questions Students Need To Ask About Life With God, and Becoming a Contagious Christian: Youth Edition. Bo, his wife Gloria, and their three kids—originally from Santa Monica, California—now live in Algonquin, Illinois.

Breakout Description
This breakout is for parents who lead in children's ministry. Balancing the demands of ministry and family presents a challenge for anyone involved in children's ministry. Address the real issues that, if not dealt with, will end up costing who you love and cherish most: our kids and spouse. Get ready to take away real solutions that will help you foster a positive and healthy family environment for yourself and lead a prevailing children's ministry.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Often, children's ministry leaders are faced with the task of walking kids through family transitions including a parent's divorce or a death in the family, yet often are inadequately trained for this difficult task. Discover the stages of grief and loss in a child's life and discover practical tools for helping children cope with these life changes.

Maria Diaz
Maria S. Diaz is the Director of Protection for Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved in children's ministries for over 16 years. She holds a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, a B.A. in Business from Felician College, and a Masters Degree in Management from North Park University. Maria has extensive short-term missionary experience helping church planters establish viable children's ministries across America. She has been a children's director for three churches over 10 years as well as taught special needs children in the Chicago Public School system. She relocated from the East Coast in 2004, after running one of the largest, state of the art preschools in Tenafly, New Jersey abreast the many changes in security and safety during the aftermath of September 11th. Maria is committed in helping the bride of Christ maximize its full potential in reaching children by providing safe havens where kids can come and learn about Jesus. Maria currently resides in Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois with her loving boxer, Vinny.

Breakout Description
Have you wanted to put a a child protection program into place at your church, but haven't been able to implement it just yet? Then this class is just right for you. You will learn how to create a strategic plan for implementing a child protection program that fits your church, learn the nuts and bolts of a comprehensive protection policy which includes screening and supervision of volunteers, and how to conduct interviews and character references as well as processing background check, policy execution and training tips. This class will be most helpful for churches without a protection policy in place.

Cindy Disney-Gainey
Cindy Disney-Gainey serves as the director for the children's ministry at the North Shore campus of Willow Creek Community Church. She came onto Willow's staff seven years ago after serving as a volunteer with the 3-year-olds and is thrilled to be a part of Willow's gifted team of staff and volunteers. She lives in Chicago with her husband and is the mom to a 5-year-old and 2-year-old twins. She loves serving with her family!

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson has been serving in full-time ministry for over 19 years in many different capacities. Craig currently serves as Senior Director of Family Ministries at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX—the largest and fastest growing church in America—where he oversees multiple staff members, church leaders, and volunteers. He also serves as Lakewood's Children's Pastor. Since assuming this role in 2004, Craig has developed a nationally recognized children's ministry called Kidslife. Ministering to roughly 4,000 children each week, Kidslife is one of the largest children's ministries in the nation. Part of Kidslife's growth is due to Craig's successful recruitment of over 1,000 volunteers, and his authoring of several programming tools for children's ministry. Craig and his wife of 18 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

Breakout Description
Children's Ministry Leaders are often asked to lead through change on multiple levels whether it's changes in staff, volunteers, or changes in curriculum or philosophy. Leading through change can be both an exciting and daunting task. Hear first hand from David Wei and Craig Johnsonl as they share their experiences in leading change in children's ministry.

Jackie Glass
Jackie Glass is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Therapist at a private practice in Wheaton, Illinois, in which she continually interfaces with children and adolescents wrestling with spiritual growth. She also works in the Children's Segment at the Willow Creek Association helping to make a difference in the lives of children. Previous, Jackie was the Assistant Director of Community Care at Willow Creek Community Church serving those in need of resources and spiritual guidance. Jackie has been married for three years and is expecting a baby girl.

Breakout Description
Do you have a passion to see early adolescents not only survive but thrive? Come join us as we unlock keys to understanding and entering the lives of early adolescents. We'll learn how to relate, mediate, and advocate for children in this developmental stage as they navigate through life.

Nancy Beach
Nancy Beach is Executive Vice-President for the Arts at Willow Creek Association, focusing full time on serving arts leaders and their teams in churches around the world. Previously, she served for 20 years as the Programming Director for Willow Creek Community Church in So. Barrington, Illinois, building a community of artists who sought to create transformational moments in Sunday morning church services. She continues to serve as a teaching pastor at Willow and speaks often at conferences and training events. In her book, The Hour on Sunday, Nancy expresses the core vision and values she believes are foundational to any effective arts ministry. Nancy and her husband, Warren, live in Barrington with their two teenage daughters and a cat named Elphaba.

Breakout Description
Leadership for both men and women is demanding, but women often encounter additional challenges as they seek to lead in the church. In this interactive workshop, we will explore several of the issues faced by women leaders in order to learn from one another, stretch one another, and remind ourselves that we are not as alone as we may think we are. Nancy Beach has served for over 20 years as a leader in the church. She will draw on her own experience and her extensive dialogues with other women leaders to facilitate this experience.

Beth Bauer
Beth Bauer has been on the Promiseland staff team at Willow Creek Community Church for 11 years. She began in Promiseland as a division leader in the age 4/5 room and later served as Promiseland's Group Life Director. Currently, Beth is on the ministry's executive team, helping Promiseland move forward in its strategic plan. Beth enjoys helping people grow in their relationship with Christ. She has been married for 18 years to her husband, Carl. They and their two daughters, Maty and Jayne, live in Barrington, Illinois.

Breakout Description
Sometimes communicating to parents in your children's ministry can be tricky. In this session, you'll discover strategies for communicating both information and vision to parents. Learn practical tips for communicating well in a multi-media world and explore ideas for electronic, print, and verbal communication so that your partnership with parents extends past your ministry and into homes.

Mickie O'Donnell
Mickie O'Donnell has worked in the educational and counseling ministries in the local church since 1976 starting in jr. high and college ministries. She is a 1985 graduate of The University of Aberdeen Scotland and also a 1991 gradualte of Trinity Divinity School with a Masters of Religious Education. Mickie served as Minister of Christian Education at Westhill Christian Fellowship in Aberdeen, Scotland; at The Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook, Illinois for 11 years; as Director of Children's Ministries at Christ Church of Oak Brook, Oak Brook Illinois for three years; and as Associate Pastor at River of Life Church formerly in Downers Grove, Illinois until 2003. She has been a counselor for families and children since 1985 specializing in play therapy with children, parent education, and women's issues. Currently, Mickie serves as Minister of Spiritual Formation at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Illinois. She is the mother of four grown children and has two granddaughters.

Breakout Description
Over the past 15 years, learning theory has taken many different paths to try to explain HOW we retain and learn. Is there a difference between Multiple Intelligence's Theory and Learning Styles or is it the proverbial "Blind descriptions of two ends of the elephant"? Come find out what all of these terms mean and how they will impact what you do and how effective you can become.

Dr. Ivy Beckwith
Dr. Ivy Beckwith, a widely respected author and speaker, serves as minister to children and families at the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Connecticut. An ordained Congregational minister, she is charged with involving children in the life of the church and in developing practices that nurture both children and families in their faith journeys. A graduate of Gordon College, she holds a Masters in Religious Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Education from Trinity International University. She has over 20 years of experience in Christian education in churches in New England and the Midwest and has worked in curriculum development for both Gospel Light Publications and Group Publishing. Ivy is a member of the of the Emergent Coordinating team and the Board of Directors of Mars Hill Graduate School in Bothell, Washington and has authored several books, including Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Centuryand her 2007 release, The Ultimate Survival Guide for Children's Ministry Workers.

Breakout Description
What are the essential skills for every children's ministry volunteer no matter what age group he or she teaches? This workshop will engage participants with each of these skills offering creative ways to pass them on to volunteers.

Chad Herman
Chad is the creator and director of 56 at LCBC Church in Manheim, Pennsylvania. 56 is a thriving ministry environment geared directly to 5th and 6th graders and was designed to reach students in their critical tween years. Chad is incredibly passionate about preteens and their monumental potential for hope, love, kindness, and life change. Chad lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife, Stephanie, and 5-month-old daughter.

Breakout Description
Come and check out one church's answer to reaching the tween. A fast paced, high-energy environment designed specifically for 5th and 6th grade students. The 56 ministry was created to help tween students have fun, make friends, experience life change, and encounter Jesus in the unique ways that only tweens can.

Laura Hebling
This is Laura's fourth year on staff in Promiseland, the children's ministry of Willow Creek Community Church; her second year as the Early Childhood Director. Her ministry includes overseeing large group programs, small group curriculum, and activities/crafts for infants through age 5, as well as leading and developing a fabulous Early Childhood team. Prior to her new position, Laura was the Age 4/5 Teacher in Promiseland. Laura first became involved with Promiseland as a child—she began attending at age 6, continued through fifth grade, and became a small group leader when she reached high school. She served as a small group leader throughout high school and college, and finds it amazing that she is still able to be part of this ministry. She currently lives in Algonquin, Illinois

Breakout Description
A spiritual foundation can form in toddlers! Come learn concepts to build into your curriculum that are critical for a toddlers' spiritual foundation, and learn techniques and principles to teach them.

Scottie May
Scottie May is an experienced church educator and developer of materials for children's ministries. She is coauthor of Children Matter, published by Eerdmans, and she contributed to Perspectives on Children's Spiritual Formation: Four Views, Children's Spirituality: Children's Perspectives, Research, and Applications, and coauthor of Listening to Children: Discovering Their Heart for God (to be released late 2009). Currently she is Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. She has also taught courses for Trinity University, Deerfield, Illinois, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and North Park Seminary, Chicago. She has a PhD in education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The Christian formation of children is an area of passion for Scottie. She has researched ways children come to faith and how the local church shapes that process. Other areas of interest are the power of the learning environments that the church creates, particularly 'authentic' experiential learning, the implications of the church being 'the family of God,' and intergenerational worship and learning experiences. For several years she worked as a Christian education consultant for major curriculum publisher providing resources and workshops for about a hundred churches a year. She serves in elementary-age children's ministries at her own church. Scottie has three adult children and eight grandchildren.

Breakout Description
Explore the spiritual formation in preschool.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
Are your small groups as effective as you would like? Take a look at some of the challenges in developing and maintaining effective small groups and discover how you can address those challenges to develop small groups that work.

Donna Hershock
Donna serves as the director of children's ministry at the DuPage campus of Willow Creek Community Church. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education, taught pre-school for 10 years, and has been serving in children's ministry for the past nine years. Donna and her husband, Scott, have two children: Chloe,13, and Brennan,11. Her driving passion is to help children develop a strong spiritual foundation in their early years of life and to surround them with people who can show them God's love.

Breakout Description
Finding and Keeping Volunteers Imagine recruiting volunteers who are excited to serve and who commit to serving long-term. Join Willow Creek Community Church expert Donna Hershock as she unpacks five fresh ways to recruit, train, and inspire volunteers who will be committed to loving God and loving kids.

Deanna Armentrout
Deanna's role in Promiseland has varied for the 14 years she has been on staff. She began in Promiseland as the teacher for 2nd & 3rd grade. Transitioning then to Drama Director for 10 years, she confidently passed that baton on to Brooke Sanford, who now passionately leads the team. Deanna's new role is Artistic Development. Her focus is training staff and volunteers in the areas of upfront communication, acting, and directing. She has 17 combined years of acting experience in university, professional, children's, and improvisational theatre. She received her BFA from the University Detroit and her MFA in performance from the University of Texas at Austin. During her graduate training, she taught both acting and training the speaking voice. Deanna and her husband, Rod, serve on the main stage Drama Team where they have volunteered for the past 16 years. She has led acting, directing, and voice workshops for Willow, as well as outside arts conferences. She is committed to developing people's gifts that creatively and effectively communicate truth which will prepare hearts to hear God's Word. The on-going production in her life is her wonderful son, Erik, and beautiful daughter, Anya!

Breakout Description
For anyone who leads music and or oversees music volunteers. This breakout will help you determine what is important for authentic worship and also to assist you in developing content and skills that will excite your team and engage kids in worship!

Dan Huffman
Children's Pastor at The Chapel, a multi-site church in Lake County, Illinois since January of 1999, Dan has seen the church grow from a few hundred people meeting in a high school to a thriving church of 6,000 with campuses in Grayslake, Libertyville, Mundelein, Barrington, and the Lake County Jail. Dan provides the strategic direction, spiritual development plan, and creative curriculum for each campus' children's ministry. Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and spent 15 years developing reporting tools and user interfaces for Fortune 500 companies before being called into full-time ministry in 1998. He was first introduced to children's ministry while serving in Willow Creek's Oasis ministry in 1994. Oasis is an outreach to children whose families are experiencing the pain of divorce. Dan and his beautiful wife, Kim, had both gone through that experience as children. Last year , Dan partnered with the Willow Creek Association to publish an innovative Grade School curriculum called The Stars of Christmas. Dan Kim, live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three energetic children: Noah 13, Grace 11, and Benjamin 6.

Breakout Description
Imagine creating sets for your children's ministry that are fun, engaging, creative, and relevant to your lesson! Think you need a million dollar budget to create a set like this - think again! Dan shares his tips for creating a fabulous set on a small budget.

Scott Rubin
Scott is the director of Elevate, the junior high ministry at Willow Creek Community Church. Scott's been on the staff at Willow Creek for 17 years, and he recently co-authored a couple of books in the Middle School Survival series: "My Future" and "My Changes", as well as a book called "Kurt and Scott's Jr.High Adventure." Scott been married to Lynette for 17 years, and they have three sons.

Ralph Rollers
Ralph is the Director of Operations for Promiseland, the childrens ministry of Willow Creek Community Church. He has been on staff with the Promiseland team for 12 years. He has been married to Jennifer for 17 years and they have three daughters; Allison, Brooke and Katelyn. Ralph enjoys sports, including coaching his daughters softball and basketball teams.

Breakout Description
Sometimes transitioning kids from Children's Ministry to Jr. High Ministry can be tricky, yet is a critical time in a child's life. Experience an interactive discussion with a member of the Promiseland Executive Team and Scott Rubin, Elevate Jr. High Ministry Director as they explore the discoveries they've made in creating successful transitions. Learn practical tools for communicating to families, choosing relevant activities, and planning transition events

Bill Baumgart
Bill Baumgart is a highly relational person with a depth of content creation experience. His talents and experience as a songwriter and music producer combine well with his desire to communicate Christ creatively. This empowers him to lead a company with a uniquely media-minded mission. Bill's visionary bent led him to leave a successful career as a music producer in Nashville, where he helped shape the music and careers of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Carlisle, and 4Him to launch ORBIT MEDIA GROUP, KIDMO's parent company, with longtime friend and TV producer Tim Ellis. As CEO of Orbit, Bill oversees company operations, and serves as an Executive Producer for its media and music productions. "We lead with the passion that drives us, innovate with the creativity around us, and move forward with the energy God has given us. With an articulated transcendent purpose, individuals possess the courage to behave like revolutionaries. We offer our leaders, creators, staff, investors and customers the opportunity to become fellow WORLD CHANGERS and join us in this transformational mission."

Johnny Rogers
Johnny Rogers' passion for God's Word connects with kids. Twenty years of children's ministry and entertainment have perfected Johnny's energetic, off-the-wall Bible teaching style making him irresistible. Johnny's weekly, media-based program at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church drew more than 2,000 kids per week. In 2003 he left Saddleback to partner with Bill Baumgart and Tim Ellis to create KIDMO, the media-based children's curriculum that has since been utilized by more than 7000 churches. "It moves me deeply hear all the stories of kids' and their families' lives being transformed. Its exciting for all of us when the Bible applies to everyday and we learn how to live it out. KIDMO is designed to release the children's ministry pressure valve. It turns what used to be prep time into relationship time with the kids. This allows children's ministry leaders to be quality mentors that kids so desperately need."

Breakout Description
How does a media driven program work? What does it look like? Why is it effective? How can utilizing media actually enhance learning and enable better and deeper connections between teachers and kids? We will peel back the mystery of what makes media work by walking through a live KIDMO experience and answer the questions you have about the challenges of integrating a media-driven program.

Scottie May
Scottie May is an experienced church educator and developer of materials for children's ministries. She is coauthor of Children Matter, published by Eerdmans, and she contributed to Perspectives on Children's Spiritual Formation: Four Views, Children's Spirituality: Children's Perspectives, Research, and Applications, and coauthor of Listening to Children: Discovering Their Heart for God (to be released late 2009). Currently she is Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. She has also taught courses for Trinity University, Deerfield, Illinois, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and North Park Seminary, Chicago. She has a PhD in education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The Christian formation of children is an area of passion for Scottie. She has researched ways children come to faith and how the local church shapes that process. Other areas of interest are the power of the learning environments that the church creates, particularly 'authentic' experiential learning, the implications of the church being 'the family of God,' and intergenerational worship and learning experiences. For several years she worked as a Christian education consultant for major curriculum publisher providing resources and workshops for about a hundred churches a year. She serves in elementary-age children's ministries at her own church. Scottie has three adult children and eight grandchildren.

Breakout Description
Explore the spiritual formation of toddlers.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
Have you ever felt like your small group times could use some fresh ideas? Join Chris Bos and Jill Nelson as they discuss new ideas for leading transformational small groups. You'll hear new practices for helping children learn Bible stories, biblical truth and relevant application during small group time.

Tom Bienert
Tom joined the Willow Creek Promiseland staff team in 1995 and currently is the Promiseland Group Life Director at Willow Creek McHenry County where he oversees 250 volunteers. He has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Capital Bible Seminary and a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Tom is in his 30th year of full-time ministry having served as a children's ministry director, youth pastor, and senior pastor in San Diego and Baltimore. In 1997, Tom and his wife, Bonnie, co-founded Christian Youth Theater Chicago, a children's after-school theater program that yearly helps over a thousand kids develop up-front stage skills. Tom and Bonnie reside in Crystal Lake, Illinois where they are passionate parents of seven children and three grandchildren.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Lou Ann Pence
Lou Ann Pence has been Director of Children and Family Ministries at Vale Community Church in Bloomington, Illinois, since 2005. She brings a background of volunteer service in various ministries throughout the church and professional experience in administration and personnel. Lou Ann's ministry is fueled by a passion for helping families learn, worship, pray, and serve together so that children will have a foundation upon which to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Lou Ann and her husband, Donnie, have two grown children and find delight in their three grandchildren. Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Retaining volunteers can sometimes be both difficult and overwhelming. Imagine hearing from three seasoned experts about their best practices in recruiting and encouraging long-term volunteer service. Join Lou Ann Pence, Kim Huffman, and Tom Bienert as they discuss practical ways to help volunteers serve for the long-haul.

Chad Herman
Chad is the creator and director of 56 at LCBC Church in Manheim, Pennsylvania. 56 is a thriving ministry environment geared directly to 5th and 6th graders and was designed to reach students in their critical tween years. Chad is incredibly passionate about preteens and their monumental potential for hope, love, kindness, and life change. Chad lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife, Stephanie, and 5-month-old daughter.

Breakout Description
5th and 6th graders are often caught in the "tween limbo" being too young for this and too old for that. This break out addresses the importance of this age gap and gives practical strategies and examples of how one church answered this problem by creating a thriving ministry environment specifically designed to reach the tween.

Dr. Ivy Beckwith
Dr. Ivy Beckwith, a widely respected author and speaker, serves as minister to children and families at the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Connecticut. An ordained Congregational minister, she is charged with involving children in the life of the church and in developing practices that nurture both children and families in their faith journeys. A graduate of Gordon College, she holds a Masters in Religious Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Education from Trinity International University. She has over 20 years of experience in Christian education in churches in New England and the Midwest and has worked in curriculum development for both Gospel Light Publications and Group Publishing. Ivy is a member of the of the Emergent Coordinating team and the Board of Directors of Mars Hill Graduate School in Bothell, Washington and has authored several books, including Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Centuryand her 2007 release, The Ultimate Survival Guide for Children's Ministry Workers.

Breakout Description
Much of the millennial generation and the generation that follows hold a postmodern world view and ethos. This workshop will explore this world view and its implications for the role of the faith community in the spiritual formation of its children.

Larry Shallenberger
Larry Shallenberger is Pastor of Next Generations Ministries at Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania where he has served since 1997. Larry has been married to his wife, Amy, for 12 years. Together, they are raising three sons. Larry is a monthly columnist for www.churchvolunteercentral.com and the author of several books and magazine articles, including Lead the Way God Made You: Discovering Your Leadership Style for Children's Ministry. Larry is currently on the national board of directors for The Mentoring Project, an organization founded by best-selling author Donald Miller, which is dedicated to empowering churches to reverse the American crisis of fatherlessness. Larry blogs about cultural trends that impact children's ministry at www.childrensministryandculture.wordpress.com.

Breakout Description
The Millennial have hit the workforce and they are filled with energy and idealism. Do you know how to cgnnect with and embrace this Generation on your volunteer team? Every generation has a personality. Discover what Millennial and High School students think about team, work, pace, and supervision and turbocharge your volunteer base.

Gary Webb
Gary Webb is the Executive Director of Children and Student Ministries at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria, Illinois. In this capacity, Gary provides direct leadership over multiple paid ministry staff and hundreds of volunteers in ministries from birth through college. Gary has been on staff at Northwoods since 1999 and has varied experience in leading workshops, training, and church leadership development.

Breakout Description
Dealing with difficult volunteers can often be challenging and overwhelming. Gary Webb will share lessons learned on successful strategies for tough volunteer situations, including lessons in: communicating clearly, setting clear expectations, and placing volunteers in roles that match their gifts.

Dan Huffman
Children's Pastor at The Chapel, a multi-site church in Lake County, Illinois since January of 1999, Dan has seen the church grow from a few hundred people meeting in a high school to a thriving church of 6,000 with campuses in Grayslake, Libertyville, Mundelein, Barrington, and the Lake County Jail. Dan provides the strategic direction, spiritual development plan, and creative curriculum for each campus' children's ministry. Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and spent 15 years developing reporting tools and user interfaces for Fortune 500 companies before being called into full-time ministry in 1998. He was first introduced to children's ministry while serving in Willow Creek's Oasis ministry in 1994. Oasis is an outreach to children whose families are experiencing the pain of divorce. Dan and his beautiful wife, Kim, had both gone through that experience as children. Last year , Dan partnered with the Willow Creek Association to publish an innovative Grade School curriculum called The Stars of Christmas. Dan Kim, live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three energetic children: Noah 13, Grace 11, and Benjamin 6.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Do you dream of having a an amazing environment for your children’s ministry? Think having children's space is only reserved for Mega-churches or Disney World? Dan and Kim will share insight gain from real-life experiences building exciting children’s ministry environments in both rented and permanent facilities. Learn how you can raise the level of excellence in your current environment no matter the size of your budget.

Brooke Sanford
Brooke Sanford, Promiseland Drama Director since 2004, began her training at Illinois Wesleyan University with a year in their Music Theatre BFA program, moving on to The Audition Studio in downtown Chicago, now known as Acting Studio Chicago. Later graduating from Wheaton College with her B.A. in English, Brooke continued to receive encouragement for her acting work there, and went on to work a stint in "the business" before God tapped her on the shoulder, to her surprise and delight, and called her to use her gifts in her home church, Willow Creek.

Breakout Description
Drama in Children's Ministry proclaims the same important goal as drama in any other ministry: to ring true. This breakout will explore concepts such as Action and Relationship and will equip you with practical tools for turning an over/under-acted sketch into believable reality that truly affects kids' hearts.

Chris Bos
Chris has been actively involved in children's ministry as both staff and a volunteer for the last 16 years and is currently on staff with The Chapel , a multi-site church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He was a part of the creative team that developed "The Stars of Christmas" and along with developing curriculum for children, he has been leading the family ministry at The Chapel called Family Fusion. Chris has been married to his amazing wife Christina for over seven years and they have adorable, 4- year- old boy/girl twins.

Breakout Description
Let's experience together both fun and impactful ways that a worship experience can builds a kids' faith.

Maria Diaz
Maria S. Diaz is the Director of Protection for Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved in children's ministries for over 16 years. She holds a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, a B.A. in Business from Felician College, and a Masters Degree in Management from North Park University. Maria has extensive short-term missionary experience helping church planters establish viable children's ministries across America. She has been a children's director for three churches over 10 years as well as taught special needs children in the Chicago Public School system. She relocated from the East Coast in 2004, after running one of the largest, state of the art preschools in Tenafly, New Jersey abreast the many changes in security and safety during the aftermath of September 11th. Maria is committed in helping the bride of Christ maximize its full potential in reaching children by providing safe havens where kids can come and learn about Jesus. Maria currently resides in Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois with her loving boxer, Vinny.

Dr. Ronald Ercoli
Dr. Ronald Ercoli, Psy.D. received his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1997 from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and has been licensed as a clinical psychologist in the State of Illinois since 1998. Dr. Ercoli has worked on staff at Willow since 1998, directing oversight of the Protection Ministry and has helped develop its policies and procedures and works with the leadership of the church to handle issues of reporting and responding to allegations of abuse. Prior to coming on staff at Willow Creek, he worked and specialized in treating adolescent sex offenders, and currently maintains a private practice as well, specializing in men's issues. Dr. Ercoli has been married for 22 years to his wife, Laura, and has three children.

Jim Pluymert
Jim Pluymert is an attorney and partner at the law firm of Pluymert, Piercey, MacDonald & Amato, Ltd. in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where his law practice concentrates in church law, not-for-profit law, mediation and arbitration, and civil litigation. Jim is a member of Mediation Law Group, a nationwide conflict management group, and he is a Certified Christian Conciliator through Peacemaker Ministries. Jim leads the conciliation team at Willow Creek Community Church, and has served as a mediator and/or arbitrator in both secular and church related cases involving business disputes, employment disputes, church disputes, and interpersonal conflicts.

Breakout Description
Child Protection is important for every children's ministry. During this workshop you will learn how to help your ministry detect and report abuse and how to reduce risk by handling unhealthy patterns and circumstances arising with a staff member or a volunteer. Child protection experts Maria Diaz, Ron Ercoli and Jim Pluymaert will help you develop practical strategies for conducting interviews and handling situations with previous offenders. This class will be most helpful for churches with a protection policy in place.

Jill Nelson
Jill Nelson is the Children's Ministries Director at Morning Star Community Church in Salem Oregon. She grew up the child of a Children's Director and can't remember a time when ministry wasn't talked about in her home—she always knew that God would lead her to serve children (figuring it would be when she was older—and knew what she was talking about!), and was blessed by the opportunity to be trained for nine months by her mom before assuming the full directorship. Jill and her husband, Nolan, married in May of 2006 and enjoy serving the children of their church together. She is passionate about what she does, and loves seeing ministry done well.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
For many churches, reaching the grade 4/5 kids has proven very challenging. They're too old for "children's ministry", but not quite ready for jr. high. Join us for a discussion on how to reach these kids in an innovative way.

Bill Baumgart
Bill Baumgart is a highly relational person with a depth of content creation experience. His talents and experience as a songwriter and music producer combine well with his desire to communicate Christ creatively. This empowers him to lead a company with a uniquely media-minded mission. Bill's visionary bent led him to leave a successful career as a music producer in Nashville, where he helped shape the music and careers of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Carlisle, and 4Him to launch ORBIT MEDIA GROUP, KIDMO's parent company, with longtime friend and TV producer Tim Ellis. As CEO of Orbit, Bill oversees company operations, and serves as an Executive Producer for its media and music productions. "We lead with the passion that drives us, innovate with the creativity around us, and move forward with the energy God has given us. With an articulated transcendent purpose, individuals possess the courage to behave like revolutionaries. We offer our leaders, creators, staff, investors and customers the opportunity to become fellow WORLD CHANGERS and join us in this transformational mission."

Kai Vilhelmsen
Kai Vilhelmsen is creative by design with a love for kids and a heart for God. His degrees in Bible and Education, and years in Children's Ministry, combine uniquely with his experience as an actor, performer and writer. Kai brings energetic engagement to the entertaining and interactive educational experience that is Lil K. "I have a passion for kids to know that God is with them and Jesus loves them. This foundation of truth will help form their worldview as they grow. If church is fun and meaningful while communicating this simple truth, then they will be set up to say 'yes' to God as they get older."

Breakout Description
Media is a daily experience for preschoolers, but making it an interactive experience can change it from childcare to spiritual education. This session will unlock how media-driven resources can lower preparation time, be used with any volunteer, and increase opportunities for ministry through relationships. Experience a live session of KIDMO's Lil'K and get answers to your questions on how to begin the use of media with your preschoolers.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Be inspired as you discover new ways to create a positive culture of discipline in your children's ministry. As you unpack your philosophy of discipline, you'll learn how to create a culture where discipline can be instructional and life-changing, ultimately leading a child into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Johnny Rogers
Johnny Rogers' passion for God's Word connects with kids. Twenty years of children's ministry and entertainment have perfected Johnny's energetic, off-the-wall Bible teaching style making him irresistible. Johnny's weekly, media-based program at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church drew more than 2,000 kids per week. In 2003 he left Saddleback to partner with Bill Baumgart and Tim Ellis to create KIDMO, the media-based children's curriculum that has since been utilized by more than 7000 churches. "It moves me deeply hear all the stories of kids' and their families' lives being transformed. Its exciting for all of us when the Bible applies to everyday and we learn how to live it out. KIDMO is designed to release the children's ministry pressure valve. It turns what used to be prep time into relationship time with the kids. This allows children's ministry leaders to be quality mentors that kids so desperately need."

Breakout Description
If you believe kids can change the world, then this session is for you. Kids need a mentor, someone who will make an intentional investment in their life. Kids need a mission to go out and do something specific, and they need a measuring point that helps each child know they are right on track. We'll unpack each of these key points and equip you to inspire the world changers in your ministry.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Every child deserves to feel emotionally safe while at church. Join Beth Racine as she unpacks the keys to creating emotional safety for kids so that they develop trust while in your children's ministry. Learn practical tools that will change the climate of your ministry so that kids feel loved, safe, and respected.

Todd Hampson
Todd Hampson is the founder of Timbuktoons LLC, an animation and design studio dedicated to discipling children and impacting culture through creative media. Todd holds a B.A. in Art with a minor in Art History from the University of Maryland and also attended the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C. Before launching the company in 2003, Todd was the operations manager for the Department of the Interior's graphic arts, printing, and photography studio in Washington, D.C. He has also taught art classes and served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions at United Baptist Church in New Carrolton, Maryland; Faith Community Church in Gambrills, Maryland; and The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia, land of the fire ants. Todd can be found "doing research" at every animated feature film with his official focus group: wife, Tracey, and their three children. Todd hates fire ants, but loves Georgia.

He has also taught art classes and served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions at United Baptist Church in New Carrolton, Maryland, Faith Community Church in Gambrills, Maryland, and The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia, land of the fire ants. Todd can be found "doing research" at every animated feature film with his official focus group: wife, Tracey and their three children. Todd hates fire ants, but loves Georgia.

Sean Copley
Sean Copley has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 11 years and is the father of three children: Aaron, Caleb, and Leah. He has served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions. Currently he is serving as interim Children's Coordinator for The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia. Sean is also the creative director of Timbuktoons, LLC and holds a B.S. in Art Education from James Madison University in Virginia, and a Masters of Christian Communications from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Sean formerly served as communications consultant, web manager, design editor, and graphic designer for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware in Columbia, Maryland, where he helped develop the Mid-Atlantic Worship Expo and the Youth Performing and Visual Arts Camp.

Breakout Description
Get a behind the scenes look at the branding process for Conspire and learn how to effectively communicate your brand to your intended target audience. Explore the thought process and core principles of effective branding and creative experiences including case studies from creative churches, great tips on software and other resources. If you attended this session last year, you'll definitely want to attend this year!

Larry Shallenberger
Larry Shallenberger is Pastor of Next Generations Ministries at Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania where he has served since 1997. Larry has been married to his wife, Amy, for 12 years. Together, they are raising three sons. Larry is a monthly columnist for www.churchvolunteercentral.com and the author of several books and magazine articles, including Lead the Way God Made You: Discovering Your Leadership Style for Children's Ministry. Larry is currently on the national board of directors for The Mentoring Project, an organization founded by best-selling author Donald Miller, which is dedicated to empowering churches to reverse the American crisis of fatherlessness. Larry blogs about cultural trends that impact children's ministry at www.childrensministryandculture.wordpress.com.

Breakout Description
You minister to children in the context of a rapidly shifting culture. With each shift comes a unique opportunity to connect children and families to Jesus. Larry Shallenberger, of the popular Children's Ministry and Culture website, will introduce you to the trends that matter most.

Susan Shadid
The daughter of missionaries, Susan spent 22 years teaching in the public schools. She joined the Willow Creek Community Church Promiseland staff full-tme in 1996. She is the Director of Training for Promiseland and has a passion to see volunteers grow in their teaching and shepherding skills. She has been involved in curriculum development, staff development, and training. Her knowledge and experiences have enabled her to integrate educational research, design, and development into the curriculum and all areas of training within Promiseland. A world traveler, Susan is always eager to jump in a car or hop on a plane or a camel to explore different places and meet new people. She has visited 28 countries, sometimes serving, sometimes teaching, but always learning. Doing life with family and friends, learning and interacting with her nephews and nieces are some of her greatest pleasures. She volunteers as a teacher and in content development in the Spiritual Mentoring ministry at Willow Creek.

Breakout Description
Children's Ministry is about joining kids in their spiritual journey. Together, we will explore ages and stages of their spiritual growth and discover ways to help kids develop their faith.

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Breakout Description
Join us for an interactive breakout session in which we will investigate the cultural forces and influences behind teens abandoning their faith in record numbers while proposing ideas and innovations to stem the tide.

Rob Rienow
Rob married Amy in 1994 and they have been blessed with five children. His most important ministry is loving his wife and leading his children to know God and love Him. Rob's mom came to Christ shortly after he was born so he was blessed to be introduced to Jesus at an early age. His parents divorced when he was in high school and God used that painful time in his life to give him a heart for young people and families going through dark times. He attended Wheaton College, then completed an M.A. in theology at Wheaton College Graduate School, an MDiv from Trinity International Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He served as a Youth Pastor at Wheaton Bible Church from 1993-2004, and now serves there in the role of Family Pastor. He is the author of the book God's Grand Vision for the Home. He and his wife Amy have founded a ministry called Visionary Parenting, which inspires parents and grandparents to disciple their children, and equips churches to build biblical family ministries. Rob and Amy live in Wheaton, Illinois.

Breakout Description
Most church leaders believe that parents and grandparents are to be the primary spiritual trainers of their children. But is it really happening in your church? Do your youth and children's ministries equip the parents, or do the work of discipleship apart from them? In this workshop, you will learn dynamic biblical messages that you can share with the families of your church that will inspire them to embrace God's call to disciple their children.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Have you found yourself in a place of leading a children's ministry and you're still scratching your head wondering, "Hey, how did I get here?" Well, God knows and He does have a plan for you and for the ministry He's given you to lead! Now the fun begins… join us for a session of exploration of the ins and outs of children's ministry and all the things you'll need to know as you begin a new adventure in leadership and servanthood.

Mark Holmen
Mark A. Holmen is the author of the books Faith Begins at Home, Building Faith At Home, and Take It Home. In his role as senior pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California, Mark has developed and implemented a model for becoming a church "OF" family ministry that is gaining national and international acclaim and has been featured by ministries including Willow Creek Association, The Barna Group, and Focus on the Family.

Dave Teixeira
Dave Teixeira has been ministering to families through the local church for over eleven years. He currently serves as the Children, Youth & Family Pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California. Entrenched in the process of building an integrated family ministry at VMC, Dave is the co-author (along with Mark Holmen) of Take It Home, a resource to help churches empower parents. Dave not only works to help families pass on faith to their kids, he and his wife Amy have two children of their own. "Passing on a relationship with Jesus Christ is something I face every day when I look into the eyes of my kids. I know how hard it is to be the family God calls us to be, and I want the church to be a place where families can go for help and support."

Breakout Description
Would you like to reestablish the home as the primary place where faith is nurtured through your Children's Ministry program? Pastor Mark Holmen and his Children/Youth and Family ministries have developed an integrated faith at home strategy that has been woven into their Sunday School program through a series of Take It Home events that equip households to bring Christ-like living back into the home. Come and experience a Take It Home event, as it would be led at Ventura Missionary Church, and also hear how these Take It Home events can enhance and strengthen your children's ministry program by making it more faith-at-home driven.

Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson has been serving in full-time ministry for over 19 years in many different capacities. Craig currently serves as Senior Director of Family Ministries at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX—the largest and fastest growing church in America—where he oversees multiple staff members, church leaders, and volunteers. He also serves as Lakewood's Children's Pastor. Since assuming this role in 2004, Craig has developed a nationally recognized children's ministry called Kidslife. Ministering to roughly 4,000 children each week, Kidslife is one of the largest children's ministries in the nation. Part of Kidslife's growth is due to Craig's successful recruitment of over 1,000 volunteers, and his authoring of several programming tools for children's ministry. Craig and his wife of 18 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

Breakout Description
With family dynamics changing so rapidly over the past years, have you found it difficult to effectively reach single parent families? Many single parents and their children feel separated or alone because the programs offered at times in church make them feel awkward, out of place, and isolated. Yet, the need to support and build single parent families by effectively identifying their specific needs has never been a greater challenge for children and family leaders than today. This breakout session will give you an understanding of the needs in today's single parent families and the tools to build a ministry that will support these families in knowing they were never meant to do life alone, but we were all created to do life together.

Deanna Armentrout
Deanna's role in Promiseland has varied for the 14 years she has been on staff. She began in Promiseland as the teacher for 2nd & 3rd grade. Transitioning then to Drama Director for 10 years, she confidently passed that baton on to Brooke Sanford, who now passionately leads the team. Deanna's new role is Artistic Development. Her focus is training staff and volunteers in the areas of upfront communication, acting, and directing. She has 17 combined years of acting experience in university, professional, children's, and improvisational theatre. She received her BFA from the University Detroit and her MFA in performance from the University of Texas at Austin. During her graduate training, she taught both acting and training the speaking voice. Deanna and her husband, Rod, serve on the main stage Drama Team where they have volunteered for the past 16 years. She has led acting, directing, and voice workshops for Willow, as well as outside arts conferences. She is committed to developing people's gifts that creatively and effectively communicate truth which will prepare hearts to hear God's Word. The on-going production in her life is her wonderful son, Erik, and beautiful daughter, Anya!

Breakout Description
For anyone who leads music and or oversees music volunteers. This breakout will help you determine what is important for authentic worship and also to assist you in developing content and skills that will excite your team and engage kids in worship!

Beth Bauer
Beth Bauer has been on the Promiseland staff team at Willow Creek Community Church for 11 years. She began in Promiseland as a division leader in the age 4/5 room and later served as Promiseland's Group Life Director. Currently, Beth is on the ministry's executive team, helping Promiseland move forward in its strategic plan. Beth enjoys helping people grow in their relationship with Christ. She has been married for 18 years to her husband, Carl. They and their two daughters, Maty and Jayne, live in Barrington, Illinois.

Breakout Description
Sometimes communicating to parents in your children's ministry can be tricky. In this session, you'll discover strategies for communicating both information and vision to parents. Learn practical tips for communicating well in a multi-media world and explore ideas for electronic, print, and verbal communication so that your partnership with parents extends past your ministry and into homes.

Bill Baumgart
Bill Baumgart is a highly relational person with a depth of content creation experience. His talents and experience as a songwriter and music producer combine well with his desire to communicate Christ creatively. This empowers him to lead a company with a uniquely media-minded mission. Bill's visionary bent led him to leave a successful career as a music producer in Nashville, where he helped shape the music and careers of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Carlisle, and 4Him to launch ORBIT MEDIA GROUP, KIDMO's parent company, with longtime friend and TV producer Tim Ellis. As CEO of Orbit, Bill oversees company operations, and serves as an Executive Producer for its media and music productions. "We lead with the passion that drives us, innovate with the creativity around us, and move forward with the energy God has given us. With an articulated transcendent purpose, individuals possess the courage to behave like revolutionaries. We offer our leaders, creators, staff, investors and customers the opportunity to become fellow WORLD CHANGERS and join us in this transformational mission."

Johnny Rogers
Johnny Rogers' passion for God's Word connects with kids. Twenty years of children's ministry and entertainment have perfected Johnny's energetic, off-the-wall Bible teaching style making him irresistible. Johnny's weekly, media-based program at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church drew more than 2,000 kids per week. In 2003 he left Saddleback to partner with Bill Baumgart and Tim Ellis to create KIDMO, the media-based children's curriculum that has since been utilized by more than 7000 churches. "It moves me deeply hear all the stories of kids' and their families' lives being transformed. Its exciting for all of us when the Bible applies to everyday and we learn how to live it out. KIDMO is designed to release the children's ministry pressure valve. It turns what used to be prep time into relationship time with the kids. This allows children's ministry leaders to be quality mentors that kids so desperately need."

Breakout Description
How does a media driven program work? What does it look like? Why is it effective? How can utilizing media actually enhance learning and enable better and deeper connections between teachers and kids? We will peel back the mystery of what makes media work by walking through a live KIDMO experience and answer the questions you have about the challenges of integrating a media-driven program.

Bill Baumgart
Bill Baumgart is a highly relational person with a depth of content creation experience. His talents and experience as a songwriter and music producer combine well with his desire to communicate Christ creatively. This empowers him to lead a company with a uniquely media-minded mission. Bill's visionary bent led him to leave a successful career as a music producer in Nashville, where he helped shape the music and careers of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Carlisle, and 4Him to launch ORBIT MEDIA GROUP, KIDMO's parent company, with longtime friend and TV producer Tim Ellis. As CEO of Orbit, Bill oversees company operations, and serves as an Executive Producer for its media and music productions. "We lead with the passion that drives us, innovate with the creativity around us, and move forward with the energy God has given us. With an articulated transcendent purpose, individuals possess the courage to behave like revolutionaries. We offer our leaders, creators, staff, investors and customers the opportunity to become fellow WORLD CHANGERS and join us in this transformational mission."

Kai Vilhelmsen
Kai Vilhelmsen is creative by design with a love for kids and a heart for God. His degrees in Bible and Education, and years in Children's Ministry, combine uniquely with his experience as an actor, performer and writer. Kai brings energetic engagement to the entertaining and interactive educational experience that is Lil K. "I have a passion for kids to know that God is with them and Jesus loves them. This foundation of truth will help form their worldview as they grow. If church is fun and meaningful while communicating this simple truth, then they will be set up to say 'yes' to God as they get older."

Breakout Description
Media is a daily experience for preschoolers, but making it an interactive experience can change it from childcare to spiritual education. This session will unlock how media-driven resources can lower preparation time, be used with any volunteer, and increase opportunities for ministry through relationships. Experience a live session of KIDMO's Lil'K and get answers to your questions on how to begin the use of media with your preschoolers.

Nancy Beach
Nancy Beach is Executive Vice-President for the Arts at Willow Creek Association, focusing full time on serving arts leaders and their teams in churches around the world. Previously, she served for 20 years as the Programming Director for Willow Creek Community Church in So. Barrington, Illinois, building a community of artists who sought to create transformational moments in Sunday morning church services. She continues to serve as a teaching pastor at Willow and speaks often at conferences and training events. In her book, The Hour on Sunday, Nancy expresses the core vision and values she believes are foundational to any effective arts ministry. Nancy and her husband, Warren, live in Barrington with their two teenage daughters and a cat named Elphaba.

Breakout Description
Leadership for both men and women is demanding, but women often encounter additional challenges as they seek to lead in the church. In this interactive workshop, we will explore several of the issues faced by women leaders in order to learn from one another, stretch one another, and remind ourselves that we are not as alone as we may think we are. Nancy Beach has served for over 20 years as a leader in the church. She will draw on her own experience and her extensive dialogues with other women leaders to facilitate this experience.

Dr. Ivy Beckwith
Dr. Ivy Beckwith, a widely respected author and speaker, serves as minister to children and families at the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Connecticut. An ordained Congregational minister, she is charged with involving children in the life of the church and in developing practices that nurture both children and families in their faith journeys. A graduate of Gordon College, she holds a Masters in Religious Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Education from Trinity International University. She has over 20 years of experience in Christian education in churches in New England and the Midwest and has worked in curriculum development for both Gospel Light Publications and Group Publishing. Ivy is a member of the of the Emergent Coordinating team and the Board of Directors of Mars Hill Graduate School in Bothell, Washington and has authored several books, including Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Centuryand her 2007 release, The Ultimate Survival Guide for Children's Ministry Workers.

Breakout Description
Much of the millennial generation and the generation that follows hold a postmodern world view and ethos. This workshop will explore this world view and its implications for the role of the faith community in the spiritual formation of its children.

Dr. Ivy Beckwith
Dr. Ivy Beckwith, a widely respected author and speaker, serves as minister to children and families at the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Connecticut. An ordained Congregational minister, she is charged with involving children in the life of the church and in developing practices that nurture both children and families in their faith journeys. A graduate of Gordon College, she holds a Masters in Religious Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Education from Trinity International University. She has over 20 years of experience in Christian education in churches in New England and the Midwest and has worked in curriculum development for both Gospel Light Publications and Group Publishing. Ivy is a member of the of the Emergent Coordinating team and the Board of Directors of Mars Hill Graduate School in Bothell, Washington and has authored several books, including Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Centuryand her 2007 release, The Ultimate Survival Guide for Children's Ministry Workers.

Breakout Description
What are the essential skills for every children's ministry volunteer no matter what age group he or she teaches? This workshop will engage participants with each of these skills offering creative ways to pass them on to volunteers.

Lori Bethran
From the first talent show Lori planned at the age of 16, to the hundreds of events she has planned since, she has always found joy in creating a great event for participants and audiences alike. Lori is a seasoned veteran in event planning and enjoys finding the opportunities associated with the challenges of creating a successful event. Lori has a background in elementary education, and after spending three years teaching on the mission field in Belize, settled in the Chicago area in 1993. Her professional career includes seven years as the Programming Manager in the children's ministry at Willow Creek Community Church, leading their creative teams, and serving as the producer for large group weekend programs, volunteer events, staff events, and the children's ministry conference. Since 2004, Lori has been working with churches and para-church organizations to develop creative teams, produce conferences, videos and creative elements, develop products, and plan events. She currently works closely with Awana Clubs International and with the Willow Creek Association as the Director of Training and Product Development for the Children's Segment. As much as she loves the adventure of ministry, her greatest adventure is as a wife to Otis and mom to three boys ages 14, 13, and 10.

Breakout Description
Sweating over how you will create your next volunteer event, family event, or training event? Come join an interactive session with veteran event planner, Lori Bethran and learn some short cuts to planning an event, how to assemble the right team, and share your best creative event ideas with the best minds in Children's Ministry: YOU!

Tom Bienert
Tom joined the Willow Creek Promiseland staff team in 1995 and currently is the Promiseland Group Life Director at Willow Creek McHenry County where he oversees 250 volunteers. He has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Capital Bible Seminary and a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Tom is in his 30th year of full-time ministry having served as a children's ministry director, youth pastor, and senior pastor in San Diego and Baltimore. In 1997, Tom and his wife, Bonnie, co-founded Christian Youth Theater Chicago, a children's after-school theater program that yearly helps over a thousand kids develop up-front stage skills. Tom and Bonnie reside in Crystal Lake, Illinois where they are passionate parents of seven children and three grandchildren.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Lou Ann Pence
Lou Ann Pence has been Director of Children and Family Ministries at Vale Community Church in Bloomington, Illinois, since 2005. She brings a background of volunteer service in various ministries throughout the church and professional experience in administration and personnel. Lou Ann's ministry is fueled by a passion for helping families learn, worship, pray, and serve together so that children will have a foundation upon which to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Lou Ann and her husband, Donnie, have two grown children and find delight in their three grandchildren. Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Retaining volunteers can sometimes be both difficult and overwhelming. Imagine hearing from three seasoned experts about their best practices in recruiting and encouraging long-term volunteer service. Join Lou Ann Pence, Kim Huffman, and Tom Bienert as they discuss practical ways to help volunteers serve for the long-haul.

Chris Bos
Chris has been actively involved in children's ministry as both staff and a volunteer for the last 16 years and is currently on staff with The Chapel , a multi-site church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He was a part of the creative team that developed "The Stars of Christmas" and along with developing curriculum for children, he has been leading the family ministry at The Chapel called Family Fusion. Chris has been married to his amazing wife Christina for over seven years and they have adorable, 4- year- old boy/girl twins.

Breakout Description
Let's experience together both fun and impactful ways that a worship experience can builds a kids' faith.

Bo Boshers
Bo Boshers is the motivating and visionary Executive Director of Student Ministries in the Willow Creek Association. For almost a decade, Bo was the Director of Student Impact where he led an outreach of over 1,000 students at the high school ministry of Willow Creek Community Church. Bo's current role allows him to focus extensively on his passion area of training, encouraging, and mentoring students and ministry leaders from around the world. With his 20-plus years of ministry experience, Bo has much to offer. As Champion of the WCA Student Ministries Movement, his responsibilities include writing, speaking at workshops and conferences worldwide, coaching and mentoring likeminded youth pastors, and leading the annual Shift Student Ministries Conference at Willow Creek Community Church. Bo has contributed material for several books and has authored The Be-With Factor: Mentoring Students in Everyday Life, The Be-With Factor: Six Questions Students Need To Ask About Life With God, and Becoming a Contagious Christian: Youth Edition. Bo, his wife Gloria, and their three kids—originally from Santa Monica, California—now live in Algonquin, Illinois.

Breakout Description
This breakout is for parents who lead in children's ministry. Balancing the demands of ministry and family presents a challenge for anyone involved in children's ministry. Address the real issues that, if not dealt with, will end up costing who you love and cherish most: our kids and spouse. Get ready to take away real solutions that will help you foster a positive and healthy family environment for yourself and lead a prevailing children's ministry.

Todd Hampson
Todd Hampson is the founder of Timbuktoons LLC, an animation and design studio dedicated to discipling children and impacting culture through creative media. Todd holds a B.A. in Art with a minor in Art History from the University of Maryland and also attended the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C. Before launching the company in 2003, Todd was the operations manager for the Department of the Interior's graphic arts, printing, and photography studio in Washington, D.C. He has also taught art classes and served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions at United Baptist Church in New Carrolton, Maryland; Faith Community Church in Gambrills, Maryland; and The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia, land of the fire ants. Todd can be found "doing research" at every animated feature film with his official focus group: wife, Tracey, and their three children. Todd hates fire ants, but loves Georgia.

He has also taught art classes and served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions at United Baptist Church in New Carrolton, Maryland, Faith Community Church in Gambrills, Maryland, and The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia, land of the fire ants. Todd can be found "doing research" at every animated feature film with his official focus group: wife, Tracey and their three children. Todd hates fire ants, but loves Georgia.

Sean Copley
Sean Copley has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 11 years and is the father of three children: Aaron, Caleb, and Leah. He has served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions. Currently he is serving as interim Children's Coordinator for The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia. Sean is also the creative director of Timbuktoons, LLC and holds a B.S. in Art Education from James Madison University in Virginia, and a Masters of Christian Communications from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Sean formerly served as communications consultant, web manager, design editor, and graphic designer for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware in Columbia, Maryland, where he helped develop the Mid-Atlantic Worship Expo and the Youth Performing and Visual Arts Camp.

Breakout Description
Get a behind the scenes look at the branding process for Conspire and learn how to effectively communicate your brand to your intended target audience. Explore the thought process and core principles of effective branding and creative experiences including case studies from creative churches, great tips on software and other resources. If you attended this session last year, you'll definitely want to attend this year!

Maria Diaz
Maria S. Diaz is the Director of Protection for Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved in children's ministries for over 16 years. She holds a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, a B.A. in Business from Felician College, and a Masters Degree in Management from North Park University. Maria has extensive short-term missionary experience helping church planters establish viable children's ministries across America. She has been a children's director for three churches over 10 years as well as taught special needs children in the Chicago Public School system. She relocated from the East Coast in 2004, after running one of the largest, state of the art preschools in Tenafly, New Jersey abreast the many changes in security and safety during the aftermath of September 11th. Maria is committed in helping the bride of Christ maximize its full potential in reaching children by providing safe havens where kids can come and learn about Jesus. Maria currently resides in Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois with her loving boxer, Vinny.

Breakout Description
Have you wanted to put a a child protection program into place at your church, but haven't been able to implement it just yet? Then this class is just right for you. You will learn how to create a strategic plan for implementing a child protection program that fits your church, learn the nuts and bolts of a comprehensive protection policy which includes screening and supervision of volunteers, and how to conduct interviews and character references as well as processing background check, policy execution and training tips. This class will be most helpful for churches without a protection policy in place.

Maria Diaz
Maria S. Diaz is the Director of Protection for Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved in children's ministries for over 16 years. She holds a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, a B.A. in Business from Felician College, and a Masters Degree in Management from North Park University. Maria has extensive short-term missionary experience helping church planters establish viable children's ministries across America. She has been a children's director for three churches over 10 years as well as taught special needs children in the Chicago Public School system. She relocated from the East Coast in 2004, after running one of the largest, state of the art preschools in Tenafly, New Jersey abreast the many changes in security and safety during the aftermath of September 11th. Maria is committed in helping the bride of Christ maximize its full potential in reaching children by providing safe havens where kids can come and learn about Jesus. Maria currently resides in Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois with her loving boxer, Vinny.

Dr. Ronald Ercoli
Dr. Ronald Ercoli, Psy.D. received his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1997 from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and has been licensed as a clinical psychologist in the State of Illinois since 1998. Dr. Ercoli has worked on staff at Willow since 1998, directing oversight of the Protection Ministry and has helped develop its policies and procedures and works with the leadership of the church to handle issues of reporting and responding to allegations of abuse. Prior to coming on staff at Willow Creek, he worked and specialized in treating adolescent sex offenders, and currently maintains a private practice as well, specializing in men's issues. Dr. Ercoli has been married for 22 years to his wife, Laura, and has three children.

Jim Pluymert
Jim Pluymert is an attorney and partner at the law firm of Pluymert, Piercey, MacDonald & Amato, Ltd. in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where his law practice concentrates in church law, not-for-profit law, mediation and arbitration, and civil litigation. Jim is a member of Mediation Law Group, a nationwide conflict management group, and he is a Certified Christian Conciliator through Peacemaker Ministries. Jim leads the conciliation team at Willow Creek Community Church, and has served as a mediator and/or arbitrator in both secular and church related cases involving business disputes, employment disputes, church disputes, and interpersonal conflicts.

Breakout Description
Child Protection is important for every children's ministry. During this workshop you will learn how to help your ministry detect and report abuse and how to reduce risk by handling unhealthy patterns and circumstances arising with a staff member or a volunteer. Child protection experts Maria Diaz, Ron Ercoli and Jim Pluymaert will help you develop practical strategies for conducting interviews and handling situations with previous offenders. This class will be most helpful for churches with a protection policy in place.

Cindy Disney-Gainey
Cindy Disney-Gainey serves as the director for the children's ministry at the North Shore campus of Willow Creek Community Church. She came onto Willow's staff seven years ago after serving as a volunteer with the 3-year-olds and is thrilled to be a part of Willow's gifted team of staff and volunteers. She lives in Chicago with her husband and is the mom to a 5-year-old and 2-year-old twins. She loves serving with her family!

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson has been serving in full-time ministry for over 19 years in many different capacities. Craig currently serves as Senior Director of Family Ministries at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX—the largest and fastest growing church in America—where he oversees multiple staff members, church leaders, and volunteers. He also serves as Lakewood's Children's Pastor. Since assuming this role in 2004, Craig has developed a nationally recognized children's ministry called Kidslife. Ministering to roughly 4,000 children each week, Kidslife is one of the largest children's ministries in the nation. Part of Kidslife's growth is due to Craig's successful recruitment of over 1,000 volunteers, and his authoring of several programming tools for children's ministry. Craig and his wife of 18 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

Breakout Description
Children's Ministry Leaders are often asked to lead through change on multiple levels whether it's changes in staff, volunteers, or changes in curriculum or philosophy. Leading through change can be both an exciting and daunting task. Hear first hand from David Wei and Craig Johnsonl as they share their experiences in leading change in children's ministry.

Maria Diaz
Maria S. Diaz is the Director of Protection for Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved in children's ministries for over 16 years. She holds a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, a B.A. in Business from Felician College, and a Masters Degree in Management from North Park University. Maria has extensive short-term missionary experience helping church planters establish viable children's ministries across America. She has been a children's director for three churches over 10 years as well as taught special needs children in the Chicago Public School system. She relocated from the East Coast in 2004, after running one of the largest, state of the art preschools in Tenafly, New Jersey abreast the many changes in security and safety during the aftermath of September 11th. Maria is committed in helping the bride of Christ maximize its full potential in reaching children by providing safe havens where kids can come and learn about Jesus. Maria currently resides in Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois with her loving boxer, Vinny.

Dr. Ronald Ercoli
Dr. Ronald Ercoli, Psy.D. received his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1997 from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and has been licensed as a clinical psychologist in the State of Illinois since 1998. Dr. Ercoli has worked on staff at Willow since 1998, directing oversight of the Protection Ministry and has helped develop its policies and procedures and works with the leadership of the church to handle issues of reporting and responding to allegations of abuse. Prior to coming on staff at Willow Creek, he worked and specialized in treating adolescent sex offenders, and currently maintains a private practice as well, specializing in men's issues. Dr. Ercoli has been married for 22 years to his wife, Laura, and has three children.

Jim Pluymert
Jim Pluymert is an attorney and partner at the law firm of Pluymert, Piercey, MacDonald & Amato, Ltd. in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where his law practice concentrates in church law, not-for-profit law, mediation and arbitration, and civil litigation. Jim is a member of Mediation Law Group, a nationwide conflict management group, and he is a Certified Christian Conciliator through Peacemaker Ministries. Jim leads the conciliation team at Willow Creek Community Church, and has served as a mediator and/or arbitrator in both secular and church related cases involving business disputes, employment disputes, church disputes, and interpersonal conflicts.

Breakout Description
Child Protection is important for every children's ministry. During this workshop you will learn how to help your ministry detect and report abuse and how to reduce risk by handling unhealthy patterns and circumstances arising with a staff member or a volunteer. Child protection experts Maria Diaz, Ron Ercoli and Jim Pluymaert will help you develop practical strategies for conducting interviews and handling situations with previous offenders. This class will be most helpful for churches with a protection policy in place.

Jackie Glass
Jackie Glass is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Therapist at a private practice in Wheaton, Illinois, in which she continually interfaces with children and adolescents wrestling with spiritual growth. She also works in the Children's Segment at the Willow Creek Association helping to make a difference in the lives of children. Previous, Jackie was the Assistant Director of Community Care at Willow Creek Community Church serving those in need of resources and spiritual guidance. Jackie has been married for three years and is expecting a baby girl.

Breakout Description
Do you have a passion to see early adolescents not only survive but thrive? Come join us as we unlock keys to understanding and entering the lives of early adolescents. We'll learn how to relate, mediate, and advocate for children in this developmental stage as they navigate through life.

Matt Guevara
Matt Guevara is proud to be outnumbered in his house by his wonderful wife of six years, Noel, and two daughters, Isabel and Sofia. Matt has served on the KidsWorld staff at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Illinois since 2007 both as the Creative Arts Director and Grade School Group Life Director. Prior to that, Matt served as the Children's Pastor at Lake City Church in Madison, Wisconsin beginning in 2003. Matt is excited to finally complete his Masters Degree in Children's and Family Ministry at Bethel Seminary this May and he is working on a book proposal about ministering to digital learners. You'll often find Matt laughing at his own jokes, eating Chipotle, or goofing around on his iPhone.

Breakout Description
Children's ministry is at a unique and pivotal crossroads. We are serving and ministering to a generation of children who are fundamentally different both mentally and socially than previous generations as a result of the digital landscape in which they live. Ministry to digital learners needs to adopt radically different methodology while still maintaining theological and biblical foundations. Discover the unique characteristics of the digital learners and how to leverage those characteristics in large group, small group, and home environments. Be prepared for lively discussion and application strategies that you can adopt to reach digital learners confidently!

Todd Hampson
Todd Hampson is the founder of Timbuktoons LLC, an animation and design studio dedicated to discipling children and impacting culture through creative media. Todd holds a B.A. in Art with a minor in Art History from the University of Maryland and also attended the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C. Before launching the company in 2003, Todd was the operations manager for the Department of the Interior's graphic arts, printing, and photography studio in Washington, D.C. He has also taught art classes and served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions at United Baptist Church in New Carrolton, Maryland; Faith Community Church in Gambrills, Maryland; and The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia, land of the fire ants. Todd can be found "doing research" at every animated feature film with his official focus group: wife, Tracey, and their three children. Todd hates fire ants, but loves Georgia.

He has also taught art classes and served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions at United Baptist Church in New Carrolton, Maryland, Faith Community Church in Gambrills, Maryland, and The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia, land of the fire ants. Todd can be found "doing research" at every animated feature film with his official focus group: wife, Tracey and their three children. Todd hates fire ants, but loves Georgia.

Sean Copley
Sean Copley has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 11 years and is the father of three children: Aaron, Caleb, and Leah. He has served in a variety of youth and children's ministry positions. Currently he is serving as interim Children's Coordinator for The Church at Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia. Sean is also the creative director of Timbuktoons, LLC and holds a B.S. in Art Education from James Madison University in Virginia, and a Masters of Christian Communications from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Sean formerly served as communications consultant, web manager, design editor, and graphic designer for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware in Columbia, Maryland, where he helped develop the Mid-Atlantic Worship Expo and the Youth Performing and Visual Arts Camp.

Breakout Description
Get a behind the scenes look at the branding process for Conspire and learn how to effectively communicate your brand to your intended target audience. Explore the thought process and core principles of effective branding and creative experiences including case studies from creative churches, great tips on software and other resources. If you attended this session last year, you'll definitely want to attend this year!

Laura Hebling
This is Laura's fourth year on staff in Promiseland, the children's ministry of Willow Creek Community Church; her second year as the Early Childhood Director. Her ministry includes overseeing large group programs, small group curriculum, and activities/crafts for infants through age 5, as well as leading and developing a fabulous Early Childhood team. Prior to her new position, Laura was the Age 4/5 Teacher in Promiseland. Laura first became involved with Promiseland as a child—she began attending at age 6, continued through fifth grade, and became a small group leader when she reached high school. She served as a small group leader throughout high school and college, and finds it amazing that she is still able to be part of this ministry. She currently lives in Algonquin, Illinois

Breakout Description
A spiritual foundation can form in toddlers! Come learn concepts to build into your curriculum that are critical for a toddlers' spiritual foundation, and learn techniques and principles to teach them.

Chad Herman
Chad is the creator and director of 56 at LCBC Church in Manheim, Pennsylvania. 56 is a thriving ministry environment geared directly to 5th and 6th graders and was designed to reach students in their critical tween years. Chad is incredibly passionate about preteens and their monumental potential for hope, love, kindness, and life change. Chad lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife, Stephanie, and 5-month-old daughter.

Breakout Description
5th and 6th graders are often caught in the "tween limbo" being too young for this and too old for that. This break out addresses the importance of this age gap and gives practical strategies and examples of how one church answered this problem by creating a thriving ministry environment specifically designed to reach the tween.

Chad Herman
Chad is the creator and director of 56 at LCBC Church in Manheim, Pennsylvania. 56 is a thriving ministry environment geared directly to 5th and 6th graders and was designed to reach students in their critical tween years. Chad is incredibly passionate about preteens and their monumental potential for hope, love, kindness, and life change. Chad lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife, Stephanie, and 5-month-old daughter.

Breakout Description
Come and check out one church's answer to reaching the tween. A fast paced, high-energy environment designed specifically for 5th and 6th grade students. The 56 ministry was created to help tween students have fun, make friends, experience life change, and encounter Jesus in the unique ways that only tweens can.

Donna Hershock
Donna serves as the director of children's ministry at the DuPage campus of Willow Creek Community Church. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education, taught pre-school for 10 years, and has been serving in children's ministry for the past nine years. Donna and her husband, Scott, have two children: Chloe,13, and Brennan,11. Her driving passion is to help children develop a strong spiritual foundation in their early years of life and to surround them with people who can show them God's love.

Breakout Description
Finding and Keeping Volunteers Imagine recruiting volunteers who are excited to serve and who commit to serving long-term. Join Willow Creek Community Church expert Donna Hershock as she unpacks five fresh ways to recruit, train, and inspire volunteers who will be committed to loving God and loving kids.

Mark Holmen
Mark A. Holmen is the author of the books Faith Begins at Home, Building Faith At Home, and Take It Home. In his role as senior pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California, Mark has developed and implemented a model for becoming a church "OF" family ministry that is gaining national and international acclaim and has been featured by ministries including Willow Creek Association, The Barna Group, and Focus on the Family.

Breakout Description
Equipping the home to be the primary place where faith is nurtured is bigger than children's ministry and requires a church-wide methodology more than a specific ministry model. Come and hear some keys and traps to avoid that will help you integrate and incorporate ALL the ministries of your church, including your senior pastor, in your vision and strategy to bring Christ and Christ-like living back into the center of every household.

Mark Holmen
Mark A. Holmen is the author of the books Faith Begins at Home, Building Faith At Home, and Take It Home. In his role as senior pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California, Mark has developed and implemented a model for becoming a church "OF" family ministry that is gaining national and international acclaim and has been featured by ministries including Willow Creek Association, The Barna Group, and Focus on the Family.

Dave Teixeira
Dave Teixeira has been ministering to families through the local church for over eleven years. He currently serves as the Children, Youth & Family Pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California. Entrenched in the process of building an integrated family ministry at VMC, Dave is the co-author (along with Mark Holmen) of Take It Home, a resource to help churches empower parents. Dave not only works to help families pass on faith to their kids, he and his wife Amy have two children of their own. "Passing on a relationship with Jesus Christ is something I face every day when I look into the eyes of my kids. I know how hard it is to be the family God calls us to be, and I want the church to be a place where families can go for help and support."

Breakout Description
Would you like to reestablish the home as the primary place where faith is nurtured through your Children's Ministry program? Pastor Mark Holmen and his Children/Youth and Family ministries have developed an integrated faith at home strategy that has been woven into their Sunday School program through a series of Take It Home events that equip households to bring Christ-like living back into the home. Come and experience a Take It Home event, as it would be led at Ventura Missionary Church, and also hear how these Take It Home events can enhance and strengthen your children's ministry program by making it more faith-at-home driven.

Dan Huffman
Children's Pastor at The Chapel, a multi-site church in Lake County, Illinois since January of 1999, Dan has seen the church grow from a few hundred people meeting in a high school to a thriving church of 6,000 with campuses in Grayslake, Libertyville, Mundelein, Barrington, and the Lake County Jail. Dan provides the strategic direction, spiritual development plan, and creative curriculum for each campus' children's ministry. Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and spent 15 years developing reporting tools and user interfaces for Fortune 500 companies before being called into full-time ministry in 1998. He was first introduced to children's ministry while serving in Willow Creek's Oasis ministry in 1994. Oasis is an outreach to children whose families are experiencing the pain of divorce. Dan and his beautiful wife, Kim, had both gone through that experience as children. Last year , Dan partnered with the Willow Creek Association to publish an innovative Grade School curriculum called The Stars of Christmas. Dan Kim, live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three energetic children: Noah 13, Grace 11, and Benjamin 6.

Breakout Description
Imagine creating sets for your children's ministry that are fun, engaging, creative, and relevant to your lesson! Think you need a million dollar budget to create a set like this - think again! Dan shares his tips for creating a fabulous set on a small budget.

Tom Bienert
Tom joined the Willow Creek Promiseland staff team in 1995 and currently is the Promiseland Group Life Director at Willow Creek McHenry County where he oversees 250 volunteers. He has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Capital Bible Seminary and a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Tom is in his 30th year of full-time ministry having served as a children's ministry director, youth pastor, and senior pastor in San Diego and Baltimore. In 1997, Tom and his wife, Bonnie, co-founded Christian Youth Theater Chicago, a children's after-school theater program that yearly helps over a thousand kids develop up-front stage skills. Tom and Bonnie reside in Crystal Lake, Illinois where they are passionate parents of seven children and three grandchildren.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Lou Ann Pence
Lou Ann Pence has been Director of Children and Family Ministries at Vale Community Church in Bloomington, Illinois, since 2005. She brings a background of volunteer service in various ministries throughout the church and professional experience in administration and personnel. Lou Ann's ministry is fueled by a passion for helping families learn, worship, pray, and serve together so that children will have a foundation upon which to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Lou Ann and her husband, Donnie, have two grown children and find delight in their three grandchildren. Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Retaining volunteers can sometimes be both difficult and overwhelming. Imagine hearing from three seasoned experts about their best practices in recruiting and encouraging long-term volunteer service. Join Lou Ann Pence, Kim Huffman, and Tom Bienert as they discuss practical ways to help volunteers serve for the long-haul.

Dan Huffman
Children's Pastor at The Chapel, a multi-site church in Lake County, Illinois since January of 1999, Dan has seen the church grow from a few hundred people meeting in a high school to a thriving church of 6,000 with campuses in Grayslake, Libertyville, Mundelein, Barrington, and the Lake County Jail. Dan provides the strategic direction, spiritual development plan, and creative curriculum for each campus' children's ministry. Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and spent 15 years developing reporting tools and user interfaces for Fortune 500 companies before being called into full-time ministry in 1998. He was first introduced to children's ministry while serving in Willow Creek's Oasis ministry in 1994. Oasis is an outreach to children whose families are experiencing the pain of divorce. Dan and his beautiful wife, Kim, had both gone through that experience as children. Last year , Dan partnered with the Willow Creek Association to publish an innovative Grade School curriculum called The Stars of Christmas. Dan Kim, live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three energetic children: Noah 13, Grace 11, and Benjamin 6.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Do you dream of having a an amazing environment for your children’s ministry? Think having children's space is only reserved for Mega-churches or Disney World? Dan and Kim will share insight gain from real-life experiences building exciting children’s ministry environments in both rented and permanent facilities. Learn how you can raise the level of excellence in your current environment no matter the size of your budget.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Have you found yourself in a place of leading a children's ministry and you're still scratching your head wondering, "Hey, how did I get here?" Well, God knows and He does have a plan for you and for the ministry He's given you to lead! Now the fun begins… join us for a session of exploration of the ins and outs of children's ministry and all the things you'll need to know as you begin a new adventure in leadership and servanthood.

Cindy Disney-Gainey
Cindy Disney-Gainey serves as the director for the children's ministry at the North Shore campus of Willow Creek Community Church. She came onto Willow's staff seven years ago after serving as a volunteer with the 3-year-olds and is thrilled to be a part of Willow's gifted team of staff and volunteers. She lives in Chicago with her husband and is the mom to a 5-year-old and 2-year-old twins. She loves serving with her family!

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson has been serving in full-time ministry for over 19 years in many different capacities. Craig currently serves as Senior Director of Family Ministries at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX—the largest and fastest growing church in America—where he oversees multiple staff members, church leaders, and volunteers. He also serves as Lakewood's Children's Pastor. Since assuming this role in 2004, Craig has developed a nationally recognized children's ministry called Kidslife. Ministering to roughly 4,000 children each week, Kidslife is one of the largest children's ministries in the nation. Part of Kidslife's growth is due to Craig's successful recruitment of over 1,000 volunteers, and his authoring of several programming tools for children's ministry. Craig and his wife of 18 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

Breakout Description
Children's Ministry Leaders are often asked to lead through change on multiple levels whether it's changes in staff, volunteers, or changes in curriculum or philosophy. Leading through change can be both an exciting and daunting task. Hear first hand from David Wei and Craig Johnsonl as they share their experiences in leading change in children's ministry.

Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson has been serving in full-time ministry for over 19 years in many different capacities. Craig currently serves as Senior Director of Family Ministries at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX—the largest and fastest growing church in America—where he oversees multiple staff members, church leaders, and volunteers. He also serves as Lakewood's Children's Pastor. Since assuming this role in 2004, Craig has developed a nationally recognized children's ministry called Kidslife. Ministering to roughly 4,000 children each week, Kidslife is one of the largest children's ministries in the nation. Part of Kidslife's growth is due to Craig's successful recruitment of over 1,000 volunteers, and his authoring of several programming tools for children's ministry. Craig and his wife of 18 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

Breakout Description
With family dynamics changing so rapidly over the past years, have you found it difficult to effectively reach single parent families? Many single parents and their children feel separated or alone because the programs offered at times in church make them feel awkward, out of place, and isolated. Yet, the need to support and build single parent families by effectively identifying their specific needs has never been a greater challenge for children and family leaders than today. This breakout session will give you an understanding of the needs in today's single parent families and the tools to build a ministry that will support these families in knowing they were never meant to do life alone, but we were all created to do life together.

Scottie May
Scottie May is an experienced church educator and developer of materials for children's ministries. She is coauthor of Children Matter, published by Eerdmans, and she contributed to Perspectives on Children's Spiritual Formation: Four Views, Children's Spirituality: Children's Perspectives, Research, and Applications, and coauthor of Listening to Children: Discovering Their Heart for God (to be released late 2009). Currently she is Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. She has also taught courses for Trinity University, Deerfield, Illinois, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and North Park Seminary, Chicago. She has a PhD in education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The Christian formation of children is an area of passion for Scottie. She has researched ways children come to faith and how the local church shapes that process. Other areas of interest are the power of the learning environments that the church creates, particularly 'authentic' experiential learning, the implications of the church being 'the family of God,' and intergenerational worship and learning experiences. For several years she worked as a Christian education consultant for major curriculum publisher providing resources and workshops for about a hundred churches a year. She serves in elementary-age children's ministries at her own church. Scottie has three adult children and eight grandchildren.

Breakout Description
Explore the spiritual formation of toddlers.

Scottie May
Scottie May is an experienced church educator and developer of materials for children's ministries. She is coauthor of Children Matter, published by Eerdmans, and she contributed to Perspectives on Children's Spiritual Formation: Four Views, Children's Spirituality: Children's Perspectives, Research, and Applications, and coauthor of Listening to Children: Discovering Their Heart for God (to be released late 2009). Currently she is Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. She has also taught courses for Trinity University, Deerfield, Illinois, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and North Park Seminary, Chicago. She has a PhD in education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The Christian formation of children is an area of passion for Scottie. She has researched ways children come to faith and how the local church shapes that process. Other areas of interest are the power of the learning environments that the church creates, particularly 'authentic' experiential learning, the implications of the church being 'the family of God,' and intergenerational worship and learning experiences. For several years she worked as a Christian education consultant for major curriculum publisher providing resources and workshops for about a hundred churches a year. She serves in elementary-age children's ministries at her own church. Scottie has three adult children and eight grandchildren.

Breakout Description
Explore the spiritual formation in preschool.

Jill Nelson
Jill Nelson is the Children's Ministries Director at Morning Star Community Church in Salem Oregon. She grew up the child of a Children's Director and can't remember a time when ministry wasn't talked about in her home—she always knew that God would lead her to serve children (figuring it would be when she was older—and knew what she was talking about!), and was blessed by the opportunity to be trained for nine months by her mom before assuming the full directorship. Jill and her husband, Nolan, married in May of 2006 and enjoy serving the children of their church together. She is passionate about what she does, and loves seeing ministry done well.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
For many churches, reaching the grade 4/5 kids has proven very challenging. They're too old for "children's ministry", but not quite ready for jr. high. Join us for a discussion on how to reach these kids in an innovative way.

Michael Novelli
Michael Novelli is the founder of Echo, where he has spent the last four years developing narratives and training to help others discover the art of "Storying," a dialogical approach to teaching the Bible. For almost 15 years, he has led student ministries in local churches in the Chicago area.

Breakout Description
Looking for a new and interactive way to get your older kids engaged? After 10 years in youth ministry, Michael Novelli felt like he had tried everything to help kids connect with the Bible. Then, a missionary introduced him to a unique, ancient way to engage people with the Bible through story. Michael learned the art of "Storying," a sequential telling of Bible stories followed by a time of creative retelling and in-depth dialogue. God used this process to completely transform his youth group as they found themselves experiencing God in a whole new way. Now, Michael is helping youth and children's leaders explore Bible storying in a media-literate, story- oriented North American context. Come and discuss how storying might look in your world!

Mickie O'Donnell
Mickie O'Donnell has worked in the educational and counseling ministries in the local church since 1976 starting in jr. high and college ministries. She is a 1985 graduate of The University of Aberdeen Scotland and also a 1991 gradualte of Trinity Divinity School with a Masters of Religious Education. Mickie served as Minister of Christian Education at Westhill Christian Fellowship in Aberdeen, Scotland; at The Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook, Illinois for 11 years; as Director of Children's Ministries at Christ Church of Oak Brook, Oak Brook Illinois for three years; and as Associate Pastor at River of Life Church formerly in Downers Grove, Illinois until 2003. She has been a counselor for families and children since 1985 specializing in play therapy with children, parent education, and women's issues. Currently, Mickie serves as Minister of Spiritual Formation at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Illinois. She is the mother of four grown children and has two granddaughters.

Breakout Description
Over the past 15 years, learning theory has taken many different paths to try to explain HOW we retain and learn. Is there a difference between Multiple Intelligence's Theory and Learning Styles or is it the proverbial "Blind descriptions of two ends of the elephant"? Come find out what all of these terms mean and how they will impact what you do and how effective you can become.

Tom Bienert
Tom joined the Willow Creek Promiseland staff team in 1995 and currently is the Promiseland Group Life Director at Willow Creek McHenry County where he oversees 250 volunteers. He has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Capital Bible Seminary and a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Tom is in his 30th year of full-time ministry having served as a children's ministry director, youth pastor, and senior pastor in San Diego and Baltimore. In 1997, Tom and his wife, Bonnie, co-founded Christian Youth Theater Chicago, a children's after-school theater program that yearly helps over a thousand kids develop up-front stage skills. Tom and Bonnie reside in Crystal Lake, Illinois where they are passionate parents of seven children and three grandchildren.

Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Lou Ann Pence
Lou Ann Pence has been Director of Children and Family Ministries at Vale Community Church in Bloomington, Illinois, since 2005. She brings a background of volunteer service in various ministries throughout the church and professional experience in administration and personnel. Lou Ann's ministry is fueled by a passion for helping families learn, worship, pray, and serve together so that children will have a foundation upon which to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Lou Ann and her husband, Donnie, have two grown children and find delight in their three grandchildren. Kim Huffman is the children's director at the Libertyville campus of The Chapel. She works with a dedicated team of experience managers and volunteer leaders to bring quality programming to over 350 children each weekend. Kim has a passion for recruiting, building, and empowering ministry teams that communicate the love of Christ to kids and families. Kim counts partnering with husband, Dan, children's pastor and executive director of "The Great Adventure," as one of her greatest God-given honors. She and Dan have been married for 16 years and live in Round Lake, Illinois with their three children: Noah, 13; Grace, 11, and Ben,7.

Breakout Description
Retaining volunteers can sometimes be both difficult and overwhelming. Imagine hearing from three seasoned experts about their best practices in recruiting and encouraging long-term volunteer service. Join Lou Ann Pence, Kim Huffman, and Tom Bienert as they discuss practical ways to help volunteers serve for the long-haul.

Maria Diaz
Maria S. Diaz is the Director of Protection for Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved in children's ministries for over 16 years. She holds a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, a B.A. in Business from Felician College, and a Masters Degree in Management from North Park University. Maria has extensive short-term missionary experience helping church planters establish viable children's ministries across America. She has been a children's director for three churches over 10 years as well as taught special needs children in the Chicago Public School system. She relocated from the East Coast in 2004, after running one of the largest, state of the art preschools in Tenafly, New Jersey abreast the many changes in security and safety during the aftermath of September 11th. Maria is committed in helping the bride of Christ maximize its full potential in reaching children by providing safe havens where kids can come and learn about Jesus. Maria currently resides in Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois with her loving boxer, Vinny.

Dr. Ronald Ercoli
Dr. Ronald Ercoli, Psy.D. received his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1997 from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and has been licensed as a clinical psychologist in the State of Illinois since 1998. Dr. Ercoli has worked on staff at Willow since 1998, directing oversight of the Protection Ministry and has helped develop its policies and procedures and works with the leadership of the church to handle issues of reporting and responding to allegations of abuse. Prior to coming on staff at Willow Creek, he worked and specialized in treating adolescent sex offenders, and currently maintains a private practice as well, specializing in men's issues. Dr. Ercoli has been married for 22 years to his wife, Laura, and has three children.

Jim Pluymert
Jim Pluymert is an attorney and partner at the law firm of Pluymert, Piercey, MacDonald & Amato, Ltd. in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where his law practice concentrates in church law, not-for-profit law, mediation and arbitration, and civil litigation. Jim is a member of Mediation Law Group, a nationwide conflict management group, and he is a Certified Christian Conciliator through Peacemaker Ministries. Jim leads the conciliation team at Willow Creek Community Church, and has served as a mediator and/or arbitrator in both secular and church related cases involving business disputes, employment disputes, church disputes, and interpersonal conflicts.

Breakout Description
Child Protection is important for every children's ministry. During this workshop you will learn how to help your ministry detect and report abuse and how to reduce risk by handling unhealthy patterns and circumstances arising with a staff member or a volunteer. Child protection experts Maria Diaz, Ron Ercoli and Jim Pluymaert will help you develop practical strategies for conducting interviews and handling situations with previous offenders. This class will be most helpful for churches with a protection policy in place.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Often, children's ministry leaders are faced with the task of walking kids through family transitions including a parent's divorce or a death in the family, yet often are inadequately trained for this difficult task. Discover the stages of grief and loss in a child's life and discover practical tools for helping children cope with these life changes.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Be inspired as you discover new ways to create a positive culture of discipline in your children's ministry. As you unpack your philosophy of discipline, you'll learn how to create a culture where discipline can be instructional and life-changing, ultimately leading a child into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Beth Racine
Beth Racine is a passionate educator and communicator who dreams of reaching the heart, soul, and strength of every child in the local church and public school system. She is currently the Director of Kid's Care Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church, which provides innovative care for youth who are experiencing pain due to loss and family transition. Beth mentors students, teachers, leaders, and parents in more effective ways to connect with themselves, God, and each other. She has worked in the public schools as a teacher and coach, and is currently striving to build bridges with schools to the local church and community.

Breakout Description
Every child deserves to feel emotionally safe while at church. Join Beth Racine as she unpacks the keys to creating emotional safety for kids so that they develop trust while in your children's ministry. Learn practical tools that will change the climate of your ministry so that kids feel loved, safe, and respected.

Rob Rienow
Rob married Amy in 1994 and they have been blessed with five children. His most important ministry is loving his wife and leading his children to know God and love Him. Rob's mom came to Christ shortly after he was born so he was blessed to be introduced to Jesus at an early age. His parents divorced when he was in high school and God used that painful time in his life to give him a heart for young people and families going through dark times. He attended Wheaton College, then completed an M.A. in theology at Wheaton College Graduate School, an MDiv from Trinity International Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He served as a Youth Pastor at Wheaton Bible Church from 1993-2004, and now serves there in the role of Family Pastor. He is the author of the book God's Grand Vision for the Home. He and his wife Amy have founded a ministry called Visionary Parenting, which inspires parents and grandparents to disciple their children, and equips churches to build biblical family ministries. Rob and Amy live in Wheaton, Illinois.

Breakout Description
Most church leaders believe that parents and grandparents are to be the primary spiritual trainers of their children. But is it really happening in your church? Do your youth and children's ministries equip the parents, or do the work of discipleship apart from them? In this workshop, you will learn dynamic biblical messages that you can share with the families of your church that will inspire them to embrace God's call to disciple their children.

Bill Baumgart
Bill Baumgart is a highly relational person with a depth of content creation experience. His talents and experience as a songwriter and music producer combine well with his desire to communicate Christ creatively. This empowers him to lead a company with a uniquely media-minded mission. Bill's visionary bent led him to leave a successful career as a music producer in Nashville, where he helped shape the music and careers of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Carlisle, and 4Him to launch ORBIT MEDIA GROUP, KIDMO's parent company, with longtime friend and TV producer Tim Ellis. As CEO of Orbit, Bill oversees company operations, and serves as an Executive Producer for its media and music productions. "We lead with the passion that drives us, innovate with the creativity around us, and move forward with the energy God has given us. With an articulated transcendent purpose, individuals possess the courage to behave like revolutionaries. We offer our leaders, creators, staff, investors and customers the opportunity to become fellow WORLD CHANGERS and join us in this transformational mission."

Johnny Rogers
Johnny Rogers' passion for God's Word connects with kids. Twenty years of children's ministry and entertainment have perfected Johnny's energetic, off-the-wall Bible teaching style making him irresistible. Johnny's weekly, media-based program at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church drew more than 2,000 kids per week. In 2003 he left Saddleback to partner with Bill Baumgart and Tim Ellis to create KIDMO, the media-based children's curriculum that has since been utilized by more than 7000 churches. "It moves me deeply hear all the stories of kids' and their families' lives being transformed. Its exciting for all of us when the Bible applies to everyday and we learn how to live it out. KIDMO is designed to release the children's ministry pressure valve. It turns what used to be prep time into relationship time with the kids. This allows children's ministry leaders to be quality mentors that kids so desperately need."

Breakout Description
How does a media driven program work? What does it look like? Why is it effective? How can utilizing media actually enhance learning and enable better and deeper connections between teachers and kids? We will peel back the mystery of what makes media work by walking through a live KIDMO experience and answer the questions you have about the challenges of integrating a media-driven program.

Johnny Rogers
Johnny Rogers' passion for God's Word connects with kids. Twenty years of children's ministry and entertainment have perfected Johnny's energetic, off-the-wall Bible teaching style making him irresistible. Johnny's weekly, media-based program at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church drew more than 2,000 kids per week. In 2003 he left Saddleback to partner with Bill Baumgart and Tim Ellis to create KIDMO, the media-based children's curriculum that has since been utilized by more than 7000 churches. "It moves me deeply hear all the stories of kids' and their families' lives being transformed. Its exciting for all of us when the Bible applies to everyday and we learn how to live it out. KIDMO is designed to release the children's ministry pressure valve. It turns what used to be prep time into relationship time with the kids. This allows children's ministry leaders to be quality mentors that kids so desperately need."

Breakout Description
If you believe kids can change the world, then this session is for you. Kids need a mentor, someone who will make an intentional investment in their life. Kids need a mission to go out and do something specific, and they need a measuring point that helps each child know they are right on track. We'll unpack each of these key points and equip you to inspire the world changers in your ministry.

Scott Rubin
Scott is the director of Elevate, the junior high ministry at Willow Creek Community Church. Scott's been on the staff at Willow Creek for 17 years, and he recently co-authored a couple of books in the Middle School Survival series: "My Future" and "My Changes", as well as a book called "Kurt and Scott's Jr.High Adventure." Scott been married to Lynette for 17 years, and they have three sons.

Ralph Rollers
Ralph is the Director of Operations for Promiseland, the childrens ministry of Willow Creek Community Church. He has been on staff with the Promiseland team for 12 years. He has been married to Jennifer for 17 years and they have three daughters; Allison, Brooke and Katelyn. Ralph enjoys sports, including coaching his daughters softball and basketball teams.

Breakout Description
Sometimes transitioning kids from Children's Ministry to Jr. High Ministry can be tricky, yet is a critical time in a child's life. Experience an interactive discussion with a member of the Promiseland Executive Team and Scott Rubin, Elevate Jr. High Ministry Director as they explore the discoveries they've made in creating successful transitions. Learn practical tools for communicating to families, choosing relevant activities, and planning transition events

Brooke Sanford
Brooke Sanford, Promiseland Drama Director since 2004, began her training at Illinois Wesleyan University with a year in their Music Theatre BFA program, moving on to The Audition Studio in downtown Chicago, now known as Acting Studio Chicago. Later graduating from Wheaton College with her B.A. in English, Brooke continued to receive encouragement for her acting work there, and went on to work a stint in "the business" before God tapped her on the shoulder, to her surprise and delight, and called her to use her gifts in her home church, Willow Creek.

Breakout Description
Drama in Children's Ministry proclaims the same important goal as drama in any other ministry: to ring true. This breakout will explore concepts such as Action and Relationship and will equip you with practical tools for turning an over/under-acted sketch into believable reality that truly affects kids' hearts.

Susan Shadid
The daughter of missionaries, Susan spent 22 years teaching in the public schools. She joined the Willow Creek Community Church Promiseland staff full-tme in 1996. She is the Director of Training for Promiseland and has a passion to see volunteers grow in their teaching and shepherding skills. She has been involved in curriculum development, staff development, and training. Her knowledge and experiences have enabled her to integrate educational research, design, and development into the curriculum and all areas of training within Promiseland. A world traveler, Susan is always eager to jump in a car or hop on a plane or a camel to explore different places and meet new people. She has visited 28 countries, sometimes serving, sometimes teaching, but always learning. Doing life with family and friends, learning and interacting with her nephews and nieces are some of her greatest pleasures. She volunteers as a teacher and in content development in the Spiritual Mentoring ministry at Willow Creek.

Breakout Description
Children's Ministry is about joining kids in their spiritual journey. Together, we will explore ages and stages of their spiritual growth and discover ways to help kids develop their faith.

Larry Shallenberger
Larry Shallenberger is Pastor of Next Generations Ministries at Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania where he has served since 1997. Larry has been married to his wife, Amy, for 12 years. Together, they are raising three sons. Larry is a monthly columnist for www.churchvolunteercentral.com and the author of several books and magazine articles, including Lead the Way God Made You: Discovering Your Leadership Style for Children's Ministry. Larry is currently on the national board of directors for The Mentoring Project, an organization founded by best-selling author Donald Miller, which is dedicated to empowering churches to reverse the American crisis of fatherlessness. Larry blogs about cultural trends that impact children's ministry at www.childrensministryandculture.wordpress.com.

Breakout Description
The Millennial have hit the workforce and they are filled with energy and idealism. Do you know how to cgnnect with and embrace this Generation on your volunteer team? Every generation has a personality. Discover what Millennial and High School students think about team, work, pace, and supervision and turbocharge your volunteer base.

Larry Shallenberger
Larry Shallenberger is Pastor of Next Generations Ministries at Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania where he has served since 1997. Larry has been married to his wife, Amy, for 12 years. Together, they are raising three sons. Larry is a monthly columnist for www.churchvolunteercentral.com and the author of several books and magazine articles, including Lead the Way God Made You: Discovering Your Leadership Style for Children's Ministry. Larry is currently on the national board of directors for The Mentoring Project, an organization founded by best-selling author Donald Miller, which is dedicated to empowering churches to reverse the American crisis of fatherlessness. Larry blogs about cultural trends that impact children's ministry at www.childrensministryandculture.wordpress.com.

Breakout Description
You minister to children in the context of a rapidly shifting culture. With each shift comes a unique opportunity to connect children and families to Jesus. Larry Shallenberger, of the popular Children's Ministry and Culture website, will introduce you to the trends that matter most.

Allison Sorrill
This is Allison's fourth year on staff in Promiseland as the Age 2 Teacher. She teaches the Bible creatively to 2 year olds, leads their worship, leads programming volunteers, directs, and writes and edits large group/small group curriculum. A graduate of Lincoln Christian College and Illinois State University, she holds degrees in both Bible and Early Childhood Education. Allison grew up in central Illinois and came to Willow Creek as an intern with the Willow Creek Association. While an intern, she began to serve in Promiseland. She has a strong desire to see young children begin to develop a relationship with God and see them grow. In addition to her work at church, she also is as a substitute teacher for Schaumburg District 54. For the past four years, she has served as a volunteer for Conference Operations in the WCA. She loves spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, and scrapbooking. Allison lives in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Nicole Silver
Nicole has been involved in children's ministry since 2003, when she first began working as an intern in Promiseland. Since that time, Nicole has served in various children's ministries assisting in program development, curriculum writing, drama and production. Nicole recently rejoined with Promiseland as the Age 3 Teacher after working as a curriculum writer and editor for Gospel Light Publications, where she also helped create and direct the skit and music videos for this year's SonRock Kids Camp VBS. As the Age 3 Teacher, Nicole directs the programming for exciting weekly children's productions that teach kids about God in engaging and age appropriate ways. Additional experience includes serving children with special needs and working as a preschool teacher. Nicole holds a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in theater from Azusa Pacific University.

Breakout Description
Pre-school kids can have a fun and meaningful worship experience. Come ready to learn the new songs and how to lead worship for your pre-school kids in this session.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
Have you ever felt like your small group times could use some fresh ideas? Join Chris Bos and Jill Nelson as they discuss new ideas for leading transformational small groups. You'll hear new practices for helping children learn Bible stories, biblical truth and relevant application during small group time.

Jill Nelson
Jill Nelson is the Children's Ministries Director at Morning Star Community Church in Salem Oregon. She grew up the child of a Children's Director and can't remember a time when ministry wasn't talked about in her home—she always knew that God would lead her to serve children (figuring it would be when she was older—and knew what she was talking about!), and was blessed by the opportunity to be trained for nine months by her mom before assuming the full directorship. Jill and her husband, Nolan, married in May of 2006 and enjoy serving the children of their church together. She is passionate about what she does, and loves seeing ministry done well.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
For many churches, reaching the grade 4/5 kids has proven very challenging. They're too old for "children's ministry", but not quite ready for jr. high. Join us for a discussion on how to reach these kids in an innovative way.

Mindy Stoms
Mindy Stoms is on staff in Promiseland at Willow Creek Community Church as the Director of Creative Ministry Support. She has been a part of the Promiseland team for the last 13 years, also serving as the Director of Programming and Curriculum, a curriculum writer, and a Division Leader in the preschool area. Prior to coming to Willow Creek in 1994, she was an elementary school teacher and helped start and transition children's ministries in the local church. Mindy and her husband, George, have one daughter named Maddie.

Breakout Description
Are your small groups as effective as you would like? Take a look at some of the challenges in developing and maintaining effective small groups and discover how you can address those challenges to develop small groups that work.

Mark Holmen
Mark A. Holmen is the author of the books Faith Begins at Home, Building Faith At Home, and Take It Home. In his role as senior pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California, Mark has developed and implemented a model for becoming a church "OF" family ministry that is gaining national and international acclaim and has been featured by ministries including Willow Creek Association, The Barna Group, and Focus on the Family.

Dave Teixeira
Dave Teixeira has been ministering to families through the local church for over eleven years. He currently serves as the Children, Youth & Family Pastor of Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California. Entrenched in the process of building an integrated family ministry at VMC, Dave is the co-author (along with Mark Holmen) of Take It Home, a resource to help churches empower parents. Dave not only works to help families pass on faith to their kids, he and his wife Amy have two children of their own. "Passing on a relationship with Jesus Christ is something I face every day when I look into the eyes of my kids. I know how hard it is to be the family God calls us to be, and I want the church to be a place where families can go for help and support."

Breakout Description
Would you like to reestablish the home as the primary place where faith is nurtured through your Children's Ministry program? Pastor Mark Holmen and his Children/Youth and Family ministries have developed an integrated faith at home strategy that has been woven into their Sunday School program through a series of Take It Home events that equip households to bring Christ-like living back into the home. Come and experience a Take It Home event, as it would be led at Ventura Missionary Church, and also hear how these Take It Home events can enhance and strengthen your children's ministry program by making it more faith-at-home driven.

Bill Baumgart
Bill Baumgart is a highly relational person with a depth of content creation experience. His talents and experience as a songwriter and music producer combine well with his desire to communicate Christ creatively. This empowers him to lead a company with a uniquely media-minded mission. Bill's visionary bent led him to leave a successful career as a music producer in Nashville, where he helped shape the music and careers of artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Carlisle, and 4Him to launch ORBIT MEDIA GROUP, KIDMO's parent company, with longtime friend and TV producer Tim Ellis. As CEO of Orbit, Bill oversees company operations, and serves as an Executive Producer for its media and music productions. "We lead with the passion that drives us, innovate with the creativity around us, and move forward with the energy God has given us. With an articulated transcendent purpose, individuals possess the courage to behave like revolutionaries. We offer our leaders, creators, staff, investors and customers the opportunity to become fellow WORLD CHANGERS and join us in this transformational mission."

Kai Vilhelmsen
Kai Vilhelmsen is creative by design with a love for kids and a heart for God. His degrees in Bible and Education, and years in Children's Ministry, combine uniquely with his experience as an actor, performer and writer. Kai brings energetic engagement to the entertaining and interactive educational experience that is Lil K. "I have a passion for kids to know that God is with them and Jesus loves them. This foundation of truth will help form their worldview as they grow. If church is fun and meaningful while communicating this simple truth, then they will be set up to say 'yes' to God as they get older."

Breakout Description
Media is a daily experience for preschoolers, but making it an interactive experience can change it from childcare to spiritual education. This session will unlock how media-driven resources can lower preparation time, be used with any volunteer, and increase opportunities for ministry through relationships. Experience a live session of KIDMO's Lil'K and get answers to your questions on how to begin the use of media with your preschoolers.

Gary Webb
Gary Webb is the Executive Director of Children and Student Ministries at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria, Illinois. In this capacity, Gary provides direct leadership over multiple paid ministry staff and hundreds of volunteers in ministries from birth through college. Gary has been on staff at Northwoods since 1999 and has varied experience in leading workshops, training, and church leadership development.

Breakout Description
The demands of ministry are great, so Children's Ministry leaders must keep a healthy view of the scope of their influence. Leaders must first lead themselves well, extend themselves to other leaders, be ambassadors for their ministry, and be diverse in their scope of leadership. This workshop will help ministry leaders explore many aspects of being a fully developed leader.

Gary Webb
Gary Webb is the Executive Director of Children and Student Ministries at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria, Illinois. In this capacity, Gary provides direct leadership over multiple paid ministry staff and hundreds of volunteers in ministries from birth through college. Gary has been on staff at Northwoods since 1999 and has varied experience in leading workshops, training, and church leadership development.

Breakout Description
Dealing with difficult volunteers can often be challenging and overwhelming. Gary Webb will share lessons learned on successful strategies for tough volunteer situations, including lessons in: communicating clearly, setting clear expectations, and placing volunteers in roles that match their gifts.

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Breakout Description
If you wish to unleash the leadership potential of your team members, you will need to develop and communicate a clear vision, overcome the obstacles to greater ministry impact, and focus their God-given talents and gifts. Walk away with practical tools to improve your skills in these key areas.

Cindy Disney-Gainey
Cindy Disney-Gainey serves as the director for the children's ministry at the North Shore campus of Willow Creek Community Church. She came onto Willow's staff seven years ago after serving as a volunteer with the 3-year-olds and is thrilled to be a part of Willow's gifted team of staff and volunteers. She lives in Chicago with her husband and is the mom to a 5-year-old and 2-year-old twins. She loves serving with her family!

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson has been serving in full-time ministry for over 19 years in many different capacities. Craig currently serves as Senior Director of Family Ministries at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX—the largest and fastest growing church in America—where he oversees multiple staff members, church leaders, and volunteers. He also serves as Lakewood's Children's Pastor. Since assuming this role in 2004, Craig has developed a nationally recognized children's ministry called Kidslife. Ministering to roughly 4,000 children each week, Kidslife is one of the largest children's ministries in the nation. Part of Kidslife's growth is due to Craig's successful recruitment of over 1,000 volunteers, and his authoring of several programming tools for children's ministry. Craig and his wife of 18 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

Breakout Description
Children's Ministry Leaders are often asked to lead through change on multiple levels whether it's changes in staff, volunteers, or changes in curriculum or philosophy. Leading through change can be both an exciting and daunting task. Hear first hand from David Wei and Craig Johnsonl as they share their experiences in leading change in children's ministry.

David Weil
Pastor of Family Ministries at Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, David Weil has been serving in pastoral and leadership positions in adult, youth, and children's ministries for over 25 years. He currently provides care and strategic leadership to church staff members who oversee ministries to children, youth, family, and married life. He is a practitioner at heart, passionate about discovering, developing, and launching new tools and ministries that encourage and equip parents in their role as the spiritual leaders of their children. Previously, he served for nine years on the Promiseland leadership team at Willow Creek Community Church, representing Promiseland as a conference speaker nationally and internationally. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is working on a Doctorate in Family Ministry.

Breakout Description
Join us for an interactive breakout session in which we will investigate the cultural forces and influences behind teens abandoning their faith in record numbers while proposing ideas and innovations to stem the tide.