Along with most everything else, children’s ministry conferences were postponed, scaled back or taken virtual during the pandemic. Many kidmin leaders, teachers and volunteers look forward to these training and fellowship events. The conferences offer development and networking opportunities—plus much-needed refreshment and fun. So it’s exciting to see that several in-person children’s ministry conferences have announced plans to resume or reboot in 2022.
We’ve compiled a multi-denominational list in chronological order. If you have details about other children’s ministry conferences that we can add to the 2022 slate, please let us know in the comments below!
9 Children’s Ministry Conferences Planned for 2022
1. Children’s Pastors Conference
This conference is for anybody who serves in children’s and family ministry, not just pastors! Leaders who serve kids and families should be connected to what they need: high quality training, meaningful community, transformative resources, and biblical inspiration for their calling. We’ve created a world-class event that is uniquely designed for your thriving as a children’s ministry leader!
Dates: January 11-13, 2022
Location: Orlando, Florida; Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Sponsored by: International Network of Children’s Ministry
Speakers: Beth Guckenberger, Jada Edwards, Keith Ferrin, Jim Wideman, Alex Seeley, Katherine Wolf, Toni J. Collier, Curtis Zackery
2. Unleash
The Unleash conference will help you unleash every ministry and leader in your church by giving them effective strategies, tools and new ways to connect people to Jesus that will impact generations for eternity. There will be workshops for Senior Leadership, Children’s Ministry, Student Ministry, Worship & Creative Arts, Hospitality & Guest Services, Missions & Outreach, Women’s Ministry, Church Planting & Multiplication, Communications and more.
Dates: January 26-27, 2022
Location: Orlando, Florida
Sponsored by: Converge
Speakers: Ryan Leak, Rev. Wilfredo “Choco” de Jesús, Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr., Chad Moore
3. Calvary Curriculum’s Children’s Ministry Conference
At the 25th annual conference, you will have the opportunity to attend workshops that will strengthen you in evangelizing and discipling children and youth in settings such as within the church, through outreach, in your own home, and wherever else you might minister to them. There will be an added At-Home track, and for the second year in a row, a Youth Ministry track.
Dates: February 18-19, 2022
Location: Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, Diamond Bar, California
Sponsored by: Calvary Curriculum
4. Next Gen Conference
NEXTGEN Conference is designed to connect like-minded people together, equip them with excellent resources, and send them to change communities. The conference offers a unique approach to learning to inspire and motivate attendees through fun and interactive sessions. The events are focused on leaders who are in their 20s and 30s. They are intended to provide a platform to share ideas, spark innovation, and create effective networks.
Dates: March 14-16, 2022
Location: Orlando, Florida
Sponsored by: Assemblies of God
5. NW MinCon
Dates: March 18-19, 2022
Location: Woodinville, Washington
Sponsored by: The Northwest Ministry Conference
Speakers: John Stonestreet, Dr. Gregory Jantz, Mandy Arioto, Michael Lukaszewski
6. Children’s Ministry and Church Leadership Training Retreat 2022
The Children’s Ministry Leaders at your church (pastors, children’s ministry staff, volunteers in leadership roles, nursery coordinators.), are invited to CDM’s annual Children’s Ministry Leadership Retreat at the Ridge Haven Retreat Center at Brevard in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Come join a community of leaders of the PCA, who are passionate about reaching the next generation for Christ!
Dates: March 29-31, 2022
Location: Ridge Haven Conference & Retreat Center (North Carolina)
Sponsored by: PCA Committee on Discipleship Ministries
7. D6 Conference
A family ministry conference for your entire team. We all need a RESET from time to time. Coming out of a crisis requires us to evaluate what changed and what stays the same. The shock, confusion, and stress of disruption often cause leaders to misjudge priorities. We chose the theme RESET for D6 2022 to help you in three ways: value the past, look forward, and equally important, the time to properly evaluate without hasty predictions.
Dates: April 20-22, 2022
Location: Orlando, Florida
Sponsored by: Randall House
Speakers: Holley Gerth, Ron Hunter, Michelle Nietert, Sam Luce, Katie Greenwood, and more
8. Orange Conference
What does it look like for leaders who work with the next generation to become the kind of humans God designed us to be? This brand new OC experience for family ministry teams, executive leaders, senior pastors, and more will give you the inspiration you need to keep going and the practical ministry solutions to make it happen. You’ve never been to an Orange Conference like this.
Dates: April 27-29, 2022
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Sponsored by: Orange
Speakers: Kristen Ivy, Ryan Leak, Liz Forkin Bohannon, Dharius Daniels, and more
9. Group U: Online Ministry Courses
Practical training with 24/7 access to courses that build your ministry skills.
Enjoy these children’s ministry conferences for 2022!
Take advantage of these opportunities to grow your faith and to develop your knowledge, skills, and creativity. And above all, keep the goal in mind: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).
