Why do children’s ministry leaders come to FOCUS, the annual Church of God international children’s ministry conference, year after year? “What keeps me coming is the time we spend with God and don’t have to worry about anything else but seeking Him,” said one children’s pastor, who recently attended the 14th annual event in Greenville, SC.
Another children’s pastor said, “I have developed friendships at FOCUS that I believe will last a lifetime. It is the only time some of us can get together since we are scattered across the states.”
A third leader children’s pastor pointed out the “great leadership principles” he learned from Jim Wideman, the 2008 keynote speaker. “To see the integrity of Yancy [Jim’s daughter and this year’s worship leader] and her heart for worship is proof that Jim’s leadership principles work.”
The other featured guests this year were drama specialist Jeff Smith, leader of Salt and Light Ministries, and Brian Hunter, lead pastor of Genesis Church.tv in Tallahassee, FL.
Two children’s pastors were presented the 2008 Shepherd’s Cup Award for outstanding ministry to children: Eva Greenwood (Chester, SC), and Daniel Bunce (Rincon, GA). Phil Harris (Tallahassee, FL) was reelected as chairperson of the 2008-09 NCLA Leadership Team. The other members are Daniel Bunce (Rincon, GA), Phil Britt (Cary, NC), Steve Patrick (Cullman, AL), and Tim Cushman (Chattanooga, TN). Tony Lane leads the team as the children’s ministry coordinator for the Church of God.
Next year’s FOCUS conference is moving to an earlier date–March 5-7—but will again be held at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, SC. The keynote speaker will be Phil Vischer, who is best known for bringing computer-animated vegetables to life in the popular Veggie Tales series.
For additional information, call Tony Lane at 423-478-7229 or go to www.extremegen.org and click on children. You can also visit www.thenclablog.com. This conference is a ministry of the Church of God International Department of Youth and Christian Education.