EMPOWER CONFERENCE

Empower is a one-day conference designed to equip children’s ministry leaders with training, resources, and personal connections. You will be empowered to thrive in your context as well as experience greater reach in your community with the good news of Jesus.

REGISTER TODAY

Cost: $50/person

Registration Deadline April 4, 2025

APRIL 18, 2026

8:30 AM - Registration Opens
9:30 AM - Opening Session
11:00 AM - Break
11:30 AM - Breakout Session 1
12:30 PM - Lunch
1:30 PM - Breakout Session 2
2:30 PM - Break
2:45 PM - Breakout Session 3
3:45 PM - Break
4:00 PM - Closing Session
4:30 PM - Dismissal

Breakout Session 1

  • Host: Sean Anderson

    Host: Sean Anderson
    Theology doesn’t have to be intimidating. Sean will help you break down complex biblical concepts into clear, simple, developmentally appropriate teaching across preschool, elementary, and preteen levels. This session will give you tools to ensure your teaching remains both theologically strong and fully accessible.

  • Host: Amy Skinner
    From timelines to safety to volunteer structure, this workshop walks through how to plan camps and retreats that are both spiritually impactful and operationally strong. Amy will share templates, best practices, and lessons learned from running multi-day experiences that remain smooth, safe, and Jesus-centered. This includes practical recommendations for budgeting

  • Host: Kathy Zelman
    Behaviour change is not the goal. Heart change is. This breakout will explore practical ways to guide kids into meaningful encounters with the Holy Spirit, discernment moments, and invitations that lead to real spiritual transformation. Incorporates discussion from meeting notes about creating 'heart moment' workshops.

  • Host: Len DenBraber
    Leadership involves difficult conversations. Len will equip you to handle conflict, address concerns, give feedback, navigate sensitive issues, and lead with clarity and grace. This session reflects leadership development themes requested in the Ministers Gathering planning.

Breakout Session 2

  • Host: Austin Toews
    Learn how to communicate in ways that kids remember and respond to. This session will walk through the core elements of dynamic communication used in effective large group ministry, including movement, vocal technique, attention resets, and storytelling strategies that make truth stick. Built from field-tested large group practices and updated from last year’s highly rated workshop.

  • Panel
    In this breakout, preschool leaders will share helpful tools in ministering to our littles.  They will cover elements of language usage in a preschool setting, successful art activities, story telling, and  managing transitional moments.  Participants will also view a preschool environment that will capture their imaginations as to how they can implement these ideas in their own settings.  This will be an interactive breakout with opportunity for Q & A.   

  • Host: Crystal Henderson
    Children experience grief differently than adults. This session equips you with practical tools for walking with kids through loss, trauma, and significant change. Crystal will help you understand how kids process grief, what language is helpful, and how to create safe spaces for healing within your ministry.

  • Hosts: Josh Dewling & Naomi Rutagwena
    Teen volunteers can be extraordinary contributors when they are empowered and trained well. Josh & Naomi will share how to recruit teens, prepare them for success, coach them through challenges, and build a leadership pipeline that grows future ministry leaders.

Breakout Session 3

  • Host: Carolyn Wentzel
    Shift from information delivery to transformation. Carolyn will guide you through how to turn any lesson into an immersive, multisensory experience using simple tools, interactive moments, and storytelling. Based on real ministry wins, she will show you how to build experiences that help kids connect emotionally, understand spiritually, and remember practically.

  • Host: Heather Johnson
    More churches are seeing the need for intentional support for kids with exceptionalities. Heather will equip you with practical strategies for adapting environments, partnering with families, training volunteers, and building a culture where every child can thrive. This session reflects strong feedback from last year requesting more neurodiversity content.

  • Host: Christine Ross
    Kids ministry requires emotional intelligence every day. Christine will unpack how EQ shapes conversations with parents, kids, and volunteers. Learn how to de-escalate conflict, read the emotional room, communicate expectations clearly, and foster trust within your ministry community.

  • Host: Sintia Kraushaar
    Small groups are where discipleship becomes personal. Sintia will teach practical ways to structure discussions, ask great questions, manage group dynamics, and help leaders build relationships that make kids feel known and supported.

EXPERIENCE

  • Building Connections Among Ministry Leaders
    Ministry leadership can be isolating, so it’s crucial to have a community of support. This event is designed to bring leaders together, fostering relationships that encourage collaboration, sharing, and growth.

  • Equipping Leaders Through Practical Training
    Many Children’s and Family Ministry leaders are navigating their roles without formal training. Our goal is to provide hands-on, practical guidance from experienced practitioners to help leaders thrive in their calling.

  • Empowering Leaders to Dream, Take Risks, and Grow
    By creating an environment where leaders can dream big, take bold steps, and explore new possibilities, we aim to empower leaders to lead with passion and strength, taking their ministries to the next level.

  • Receiving Personal Ministry and Encouragement
    All year long you pour into others and we want this to be a time where you are refreshed, encouraged, and personally ministered to.  We will set aside time for personalized prayer, encouragement, and a refreshing word for you in this season

FAQs

  • Your registration fee covers lunch, snacks, coffee/tea and all the workshops and main sessions. 

  • Any one from your church that serves in Children and Family ministries is welcome to attend.  Bring your whole team and make it a team building time for learning, strategizing, and praying together.

  • This training and equipping time has been repeatedly requested by Children and Family ministry leaders to be highly relational, intensely practical and deeply encouraging.Item description

  • Dress casually and bring a notebook, water bottle and a hunger to grow. 

  • Yes! There is a group rate available for groups of 4 or more.

    Please reach out to our office at: info@abnwt.com to inquire before registering your team.

More Questions? Contact us.

LOCATION

FIRST ASSEMBLY CHURCH

6031 Elbow Dr SW
Calgary, AB

ACCOMMODATIONS

CARRIAGE HOUSE HOTEL

REGISTER TODAY

Cost: $50/person

Registration Deadline April 4, 2025