The journey into children’s ministry often begins with a calling, but not always with clarity.
“A long time ago, God spoke to my heart… about working with children,” Ingrid shares. “He told me that although they were small, they did have the ability to have a genuine relationship with Him.”
Like many church leaders, Ingrid carried that calling for years without formal training or language to define what she was doing. Her passion was there, but the structure was not. That is where the Nurturing Children’s Faith initiative comes in. Through the opportunity to earn a Children’s Ministry Certificate, leaders like Ingrid are gaining the tools, training, and confidence to turn calling into intentional, effective ministry.
A Calling to Children’s Ministry Without Structure
For Ingrid, the impact of the program has been immediate and deeply personal.
“And now that I am in the certificate, I am learning a lot and giving it a name to those things that I already practiced,” she explains. “I did not know what the structure was called in a professional way, in an orderly way.”
Her experience points to something bigger than individual growth; it reveals the heart of the Nurturing Children’s Faith initiative.
At its core, this initiative is designed to equip churches to prioritize children’s faith formation. Many leaders are already doing the work, serving faithfully with passion and commitment. What is often missing is access to training, structure, and resources that can help that work grow and sustain over time. This initiative fills that gap by offering a holistic approach to children’s ministry development.
Key Components of the Initiative
1. Certificate in Children’s Ministry
At the center of the initiative is the Certificate in Children’s Ministry, a 4-module online program designed specifically for Spanish-speaking church leaders. Through both theological and practical training, participants gain a deeper understanding of how children learn, grow, and engage in their faith—while developing skills they can immediately apply in their ministry contexts.
2. Training Workshops (English & Spanish)
In addition to the certificate, leaders have access to workshops offered in both Spanish and English. These trainings are shaped by the real needs of local churches, equipping leaders to better serve children through relevant topics, practical tools, and culturally responsive approaches.
3. Design Labs
The initiative also includes hands-on design labs where leaders are invited to innovate. In these collaborative spaces, participants refine ideas, develop new approaches, and launch children’s ministry programs that are tailored to their unique church communities.
4. Mini-Grants
To help bring these ideas to life, mini-grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 are available. These funds support leaders in starting or strengthening children’s ministry efforts, turning vision into tangible impact within their churches.
Equipping Experienced Leaders in Children’s Ministry
The transformation is not limited to new leaders. Even those with years of experience are finding renewed purpose, especially in congregations with limited access to formal training.
“I have been a pastor for many years,” Juan shares, “and having all this knowledge makes me be able to rethink everything, to be able to organize.”
Across the Central Valley, many Spanish-speaking churches are led by bi- or tri-vocational pastors, with very few having access to formal theological or leadership training due to barriers like cost, language, and time. For Juan, the program brings structure to what was once built on experience alone.
“It is very important… to receive all these classes and give myself an order in everything I do.”
Now, he is better equipped to serve children with intention, helping them not just participate, but truly engage in their faith, in churches where children’s ministry has often been under-resourced and overlooked.
Addressing the Needs in Children’s Ministry Today
Across the Central Valley, churches are recognizing a common challenge: how to truly reach and engage children. “So it is something that is very important today to overcome all the needs that we are observing in our churches,” July shared. “How to capture, how to teach and reach the hearts of these children.”
Many ministries lack the specialized training, leadership development, and resources needed to build strong, sustainable children’s programs. The Nurturing Children’s Faith initiative exists to bridge that gap, equipping leaders with practical tools and strategies to create meaningful worship and learning experiences for children.
Register for Children’s Ministry Training on April 25, 2026
Leaders like Ingrid, who are discovering clarity in their calling. In pastors like Juan, who are finding new ways to grow and lead. And in churches that are becoming better equipped to invest in the next generation.
“Here… you can learn all that,” July shared. “I encourage you to sign up, to come and see what is happening in this place.”
Take the Next Step in Children’s Ministry
If you are ready to grow in how you serve the next generation, there are multiple ways to get involved in the Nurturing Children’s Faith initiative.
1. Attend an Upcoming Training
Join us for Strengthening Children’s Ministry on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Fresno Pacific University (BC Lounge).
This free training is designed to help you better understand and connect with today’s children through practical, faith-centered learning. Participants will choose from breakout sessions, including:
- Understanding the new generation and how they learn
- Creating inclusive environments for different learning styles and abilities
- Exploring child development and its impact on faith formation
- Transmitiendo la fe a los niños (faith formation in Spanish)
Free registration includes lunch.
2. Express Interest in the Certificate Program
If you are looking for a deeper level of training, leadership development, and ongoing support, the Children’s Ministry Certificate is designed for you.
If you, or someone you know, serves in a Spanish-speaking congregation, this program offers training in Spanish that is accessible, practical, and rooted in the realities of your community.
Through this program, you will gain:
- Practical tools for children’s ministry
- A stronger foundation in faith formation and child development
- Ongoing support and connection with other leaders
3. Join a Growing Community of Leaders
Beyond trainings and certificates, this initiative connects you to a larger network of pastors, volunteers, and leaders across the Central Valley who are committed to strengthening children’s ministry together.
Whether you take your first step at a training or begin the journey toward a certificate, you are joining a movement focused on one thing: helping children build a lasting, meaningful faith.
Register for the April 25 training and/or fill out the interest form to take your next step today.
