On the first weekend in March, eager learners gathered in Lincoln, Nebraska, from every conference in the Mid-America Union for a feast of practical and creative seminars during the MAUC Children’s Ministries Leadership Conference. Presenters from Washington, Illinois, Maryland and Kansas-Nebraska Conference gave tips and hands-on techniques for sharing Jesus with children in ways they can understand.
On Friday evening North American Division Children’s Ministries director Sherri Uhrig and MAUC church/youth ministries director Hubert Cisneros presented information on new resources. Additionally, Pastor Brent Kimura from the Washington Conference brought his team of young people, the Be Ready Puppeteers, to demonstrate how to use puppets in churches and also as outreach activities to communities. Joann Herrington, local musician and educator, presented seminars on the topic of praise and worship.
Pastor Brett Hadley, drama coach/professor in the Humanities Division at Union College, gave instruction on how churches can use drama effectively to share the gospel. Teresa Peckham and Candi Sartin, Clowns for Christ and members of the Gothenburg Church in Nebraska, gave instruction in balloon ministry and demonstrations of simple but powerful Christian skits that beautifully presented Bible truths to children and adults alike. Instruction was presented throughout the weekend in both English and Spanish.
The Lincoln Hispanic Church graciously hosted the event in their facility, and also provided wonderful meals and a demonstration of the newly produced Adventist Vacation Bible School program, Cactusville, VBX! Attendees said they were eager to share the new ideas they learned and are already anticipating next year’s MAUC Children’s Leadership Conference.
—Sue Carlson is Children’s Ministries director for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
