In this episode of the Ask the Experts series Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia ask the question "How can we partner with and equip parents to disciple their children?"

If you are interested in Hope Has Come: The Family Advent Adventure that Virginia spoke about in this episode, it is available for purchase at the following website:

Hope Has Come: The Family Advent Adventure

Check out the previous episodes and resources from our quests.

Episode 104: Raising Disciples: An Interview with Dr. Teresa Roberts

Teresa Roberts is Professor of Ministry and Christian Formation, Program Director of Children’s Ministry, and a vice president at Ozark Christian College. Website:  www.DrTeresaRoberts.com

Email: [email protected]

Book available: all major booksellers

NavPress (publisher)

https://www.navpress.com/p/raising-disciples/9781641588638

Episode 108: How to Teach Kids Theology with Sam Luce and Hunter Williams

Sam Luce is the Executive Pastor of Ministries at Redeemer Church in Utica, NY, where he's served for nearly 30 years, focusing primarily on next-generation ministry.

Links Website: http://samluce.com

Substack: https://samluce.substack.com/

Instagram: @samluce 

Facebook: @samluce 

Twitter/X: @samluce 

Amazon: Author Page

Hunter Williams is the children's pastor of Ridgedale Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN and cohost of the Cross Formed KidMin podcast.

Training and Coaching Website:

https://sites.google.com/view/hunter-williams-training/home

Episodes 86 and 87: Trauma-Informed Children’s Ministry and Balancing Family and Ministry

Rev. Kayla Smith is the Associate Director of Reach Hurting Kids Institute and serves at Trevecca Community Church of the Nazarene as Pastor of Intergenerational Discipleship.

reachhurtingkids.com/workshop

[email protected]

One of the most challenging responsibilities ministry leaders have is to find resources to help us better serve our children and families. This week Dr. Virginia shares some current resources that she has found to help leaders create policies and practices for Trauma-Informed and Disability Ministries. Listen in as she shares what she has learned.

Boundless Hope for Every Child

Kim Botto

www.kimbotto.com

Trauma-Informed Children's Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reaching Hurting Kids

Lori A. Crosby and Robert G. Crosby

www.reachhurtingkids.com

Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion

Lamar Hardwick

Wonderful Works

www.wonderfulworksministry.org

Joni Eareckson Tada

www.joniandfriends.org

Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia started off the new year attending a wonderful conference! The Children's Pastor's Conference, held by the International Network of Children's Ministry (INCM), was in Orlando, FL the first week of January and they had a great time. Listen in as they discuss the conference, break outs, general sessions, resources and more!

#kidmin #childrenspastorsconference #cpc26 #INCM #administration #childrensministry #preschoolministry #professionaldevelopment

The Christmas season can be so busy with everything we have planned for our children's ministry and all the things we want to do with our families. In the last podcast episode for 2025, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss finding hope in God's Word when we feel overwhelmed and share their plans for an exciting start to 2026!!

#kidmin #childrensministry #preschoolministry #administration #overwhelm #devotion #hope #childrenspastorsconference #cpc

As children's ministry leaders, we are always looking for ways to intentionally incorporate Bible skills into our programs. In today's episode, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss ways we can help families instill a love of the Word of God and help our kids to learn more about the truth of the Bible through activities that teach Bible skills that will last a lifetime.

#kidmin #childrensministry #preschoolministry #bibleskills #awana #bibleskillsthrillsanddrills #bibleskillsactivities  #childrensministrycurriculum #childrensministryprograms

!! Parental Advisory: This episode includes a faith-based discussion about the use of Santa Claus and the meaning of Christmas. Parent are encouraged to listen with discretion if  children are present.

Christmas time is here! And with it comes all of the excitement of sharing the birth of Christ with our kids and their families. Listen as Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia share some of their favorite Christmas activities for children's ministry - and go on a couple of side discussions about discussing Santa Claus and the Virgin Birth with children!!

If you are interested in Hope Has Come: The Family Advent Adventure that Virginia spoke about in this episode, it is available for purchase at the following website:

Hope Has Come: The Family Advent Adventure

Also, we will be posting some pictures on our Instagram page throughout the Christmas Season!

KidMinDoctor Instagram

Everyone has those days where they question whether or not God has actually called them into this ministry or ask if there is the energy to continue. In Part 2 of this discussion, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia share practical habits and practices you can put into place - not for only on those days you just want to quit, but how to maintain focus on what God has called you to do.

#kidmin #childrensministry #preschoolministry #administration #steadfastness #commitment #ministry #stress #overwhelm #burnout

Everyone has those days where they question whether or not God has actually called them into this ministry or ask if there is the energy to continue. Listen in on the first part of this discussion, as Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia talk about what the Bible says about steadfastness. And not for only on those days you just want to quit, but how to maintain focus on what God has called you to do.

#kidmin #childrensministry #preschoolministry #administration #steadfastness #commitment #ministry #stress #overwhelm #burnout

At some point, all churches will have groups of kids with a wide variety of ages in one classroom. Whether it is for a large worship service or an individual Bible study, teaching multi-age groups effectively can be a challenge. Today, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia answer a listener's question about teaching in a classroom with children with a wide difference of age. This discussion covers setting up the classroom space, safety and security, Bible learning activities, and so much more.

#kidmin #childrensministry #preschoolministry #multiageclassroom #administration #biblestudy #safetyandsecurity #curriculum

In our second installment of our Ask the Experts series, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia ask a very important question about how to avoid or at least mitigate burnout. So many of us have faced seasons of running on empty, being overwhelmed, and feeling unsure of our effectiveness. We feel guilt and frustration, often wondering if we should just quit.  Two of our previous guests give us advice about how we can find rhythms to help us guard against burnout.

#kidmin #childrensministry #preschoolministry #burnout #overwhelm #administration #dailyrhythms #sabbath #support

Rev. Kayla Smith is the Associate Director of Reach Hurting Kids Institute and serves at Trevecca Community Church of the Nazarene as Pastor of Intergenerational Discipleship. She spends most of her time tagging along on her five-year-old's adventures. Kayla draws from her background in leadership and special education to empower churches to embody Christ's love to every child. She leads workshops, trains children's and youth teams, and consults with leaders about trauma-informed practices in the Church.

reachhurtingkids.com/workshop

[email protected]

Dr. Teresa Roberts is Professor of Ministry and Christian Formation, Program Director of Children’s Ministry, and a vice president at Ozark Christian College. She is an expert in children’s spiritual formation training with more than 30 years of ministry experience.

Dr. Roberts holds a Master of Arts in Family and Youth Ministry, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry. She serves in children’s ministry at Carterville Christian Church where she attends with her husband and step-daughter.

Website:  www.DrTeresaRoberts.com

Email: [email protected]

Book available: all major booksellers

NavPress (publisher)

https://www.navpress.com/p/raising-disciples/9781641588638

See "Related Sites and Resources" for the free 8-week Parenting Discipleship Curriculum/Small Group Guide