National Children's Ministry Conference Sandals to Sneakers based on Luke 2:52 July 7 - 10, 2011 St. John's Lutheran Church Orange, CA

Fact Sheet
Art Show Submission Form
Be A Champion!
Online Registration - Register Today!
Hotel Registration
Workshop Selections - UPDATED!
Prayer Ministry
Registration Book
Advertising Letter
Advertising Application and Template

WORKSHOPS
New workshops added!  
Please check the Workshop Selections - Concordia Publishing House has added a new workshop on Sunday School and VBS curriculum.  There are also recently added workshops on technology and creating a youth praise band.  There is still time to adjust your workshops so take a look and see if one of these new sessions meet your needs! 

Due to unavoidable circumstances a couple workshops have had to cancel.  We did have workshops on the wait list and they have now been added.  Please check the updated workshop selections page to confirm your choice is still available or if you would like to add one of the newly added workshops to your selection.  Workshop selections can be edited using your password to update your registration submission to Reg Online.

PRAYER MINISTRY
The Prayer Ministry segments for NCMC are linked above under Prayer Ministry. These devotions are designed to focus in on the theme of the 2011 Conference, Sandals to Sneakers . Sandals and sneakers protect and highlight feet. The prayer ministry, in preparation for this national event, will also focus on feet. Each month we look at our own feet, Jesus’ feet, the feet of children, or the feet of those who serve children. Guided by a Biblical text ("light for our feet") we will then fall at the feet of Jesus in prayer. These eight devotions would also be excellent as devotions with your staff or volunteers. 

NCMC Program Book Advertisement Opportunity
Registration is underway and details are being finalized for our July 7 - 10 National Children's Ministry COnference!  We are growing more and more excited for this event and all GOD has in store for this event!
YOU too have the opportunity to share with the Children's Ministers and volunteers from your churches who will be attending.  Please consider placing a Children's Ministry Appreciation Advertisement in the program book as a way of recognizing, thanking, supporting, and encouraging those who serve children in your congregations. This is a terrific opportunity to encourage, sustain and uplift your Children's Ministers and volunteers in their vital roles within your congregations!
                                 Download the information from the link above TODAY!

We welcome advertisements from Businesses and Exhibitors as well. This is an opportunity for your business' information to be shared nationwide as our attendees take their program books back to their congregations and share all their new ideas.  With an anticipated attendance of  600 - 700 your advertisement has far-reaching potential.  

REGISTER TODAY!!
Registration is now open!  Plan to join us for this exciting, encouraging, inspirational event which is sure to renew, invigorate, and recharge your congregation’s children’s ministry programs and those who serve so faithfully in this capacity!  Children and those who serve them have been intentionally and carefully kept in mind as this event is being planned.  It is your congregation’s opportunity to show their support for the service and ministry of these faithful ministers of the Gospel.  Plan to send your congregation’s children’s ministry staff!

The National Children’s Ministry Conference (NCMC) is being presented to you this year in Orange, CA.  This conference is for all who minister and serve children in our LCMS congregations across the US and Canada; Children’s Ministers, Sunday School Teachers, VBS Leaders, Early Childhood teaches/administrators, Pastors, volunteers, you name it – if they touch the lives of  the children in your congregation and community this event is for them!  The conference program is designed to engage the imagination, refresh enthusiasm, give practical advice and sharpen ministry skills in various areas of children’s ministries. 

We are excited to present Dr. David Walsh and Dr. Mary Manz Simon as pre- conference speakers!  In addition there is a wide variety of workshops which will provide every participant with practical, tested ideas and techniques for effective ministries with children (early childhood through fifth grade).  Our closing worship will be led by renowned preacher Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson of Christ Lutheran Church, Costa Mesa, CA.  Plenary sessions will also be led by Pastor Todd and Kellie Stocker, popular NYG speaker, and Michelle Thompson, Community Life Director and Children’s Ministry Overseer at Crosspoint – Westgreen, Katy, TX, Pastor John and Monique Nunes, with Lutheran World Relief, and Pastor Paul Stark, Pillar Ministries, MO.

Art Show Information 
The LCMS National Children’s Ministry Conference (NCMC) will showcase the artistic talents of our children. The NCMC committee is calling for donations of artwork from children in three age group categories, ages 3-5, ages 6-8 and ages 9-12, who attend LCMS Congregations or their schools. Two-dimensional works of art must depict images on the theme: Christ + Children + Community. Three-dimensional works of art must resemble footwear and depict the conference theme: Sandals to Sneakers. Submission criteria, entry form and mailing information may be downloaded by clicking on Art Show Submission Forms above. All works of art must be received no later than June 1, 2011!

Contributed artwork will be on exhibit at the conference and available for “purchase” by donation. All monetary donations will be given, in the names of the artists, to selected charitable organizations that serve children. The art will also be featured in an online exhibit found on the LCMS website.

Be a Children’s Champion
Consider children of today and tomorrow. Wonder at the many ways our gracious God can work in and through them. Imagine children and adults sharing the baptismal journey as missionaries and world changers.

Imagine children
…growing strong in their faith
…experiencing the comfort of God’s presence
…living in the assurance of the underserved love found in Jesus
…led by prepared, caring teachers
…nurtured in loving homes supported by strong congregations
…developing healthy relationships
…equipped as stewards of God’s resources
…actively engaged with adults in service, witness, and worship

The national LCMS Children’s Ministry Conference will shape, nurture, and equip today’s Children’s Ministry leaders for continuing service in the kingdom of God, expanding their imagination for mission and ministry with and to children.

YOUR GIFT in support of the National LCMS Children’s Ministry Conference
…as an individual…as a family…as an organization…in memory of someone who championed you…as a deposit of hope in our Church’s ministry to children will…

CHAMPION CHILDREN by equipping Children’s Ministry leaders and teachers to
            …enrich children’s faith development and learning
            …expand opportunities for children to reach out in mission and ministry
            …support and sustain ministries with children
            …extend the Gospel, by God’s grace, to the next generation

…so no child is deprived of knowing and experiencing the love of Jesus.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52 (NIV)