Help! I am New to Children’s Ministry!

Space is limited! Apply today!

Want to join the Help! I'm New to Children's Ministry Cohort? Submit this application by January 15, and our team will reach out with more details.

What is a Cohort?

CFC learning cohorts are supportive and collaborative learning communities consisting of up to 15 ministry leaders, all committed to ministry with children in the church. Our hope is that the cohort participants will develop long-lasting relationships and discover new ideas and innovative ways, capturing a vision for reimagining church where a child’s faith flourishes.

Join us for the Help! I’m New to Children’s Ministry Cohort as we help you start in kidmin with a strong foundation.

Every cohort includes:

5-interactive zoom sessions with experts in the field
One 5-week follow-up with CFC team member
A curated resource kit shipped to you, including a robust companion workbook
Collaborative relationships with other children’s ministry leaders
A biweekly newsletter inviting you to apply what you are learning

Logistics

Meeting Location:

Online
2026 Meeting Dates:

March 11, 18, 25; April 8, 15
Meeting Time:

1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CT
5-Week Follow-up

Schedule Your Follow-Up with One of Our Staff Members
Max Number of Participants:

15 people
Cost:

$500 per person (Limited number of 50% scholarships available)

Notes From Your Hosts

Help us build amazing cohorts! As our cohort experience grows, we ask that you complete a detailed post-program evaluation. Your valuable feedback will be instrumental in enhancing the cohort experience and ensuring its long-term success.

Objectives

In this online community led by the CFC Team, you will:

Clarify Vision and Purpose – Equip new leaders to articulate a clear vision for children’s ministry that aligns with the church’s mission and nurtures authentic faith in children.
Understand Children’s Spiritual and Developmental Needs – Explore how children grow in faith and how ministry practices can support their spiritual, social, and emotional development.
Build and Lead Effective Teams – Develop skills for leading volunteers, collaborating with parents and staff, and fostering a healthy ministry culture.
Create Sustainable Ministry Systems – Learn practical tools for managing change, selecting and shaping curriculum, and setting up structures that support long-term growth and impact.

FAQs

Each Session is 2 hours. We will meet the following Wednesdays from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST: March 11, 18, 25, and April 8, 15, 2026.

In addition, you have the opportunity to have a 5-week follow-up with CFC Staff.

Please note: Along with the actual cohort meetings, there is an expectation that you will do some readings and activities in between our cohort meetings.
Yes! We will be in communication with you regarding any necessary materials or items you will need for the course.
We are grateful for a special gift that allows us to offer a 50% scholarship to the first 8 participants who sign up and are accepted for this cohort.

To be eligible for the scholarship, please apply by December 1, 2025.
Yes! The CFC team is happy to provide additional consulting hours. You can learn more about personal coaching and ministry consultation by contacting our team here.
The 5-week follow-up is an individual consultation with our staff designed to help you succeed beyond the cohort. During this check-in, we’ll review your progress, offer coaching on any challenges or problems that have emerged in your ministry, and help you identify and plan your next steps. It’s personalized support to ensure you’re equipped to implement what you’ve learned and continue growing as a children’s ministry leader.
A full refund policy with relevant dates will be provided as part of your registration materials. Below is a brief summary of our refund policy.

Refund Policy Summary – CFC Learning Cohort

Refund Eligibility and Deadlines:
1. Full Refund (100%): A full refund is available if you cancel your enrollment before the resource box ships. A full refund is available if the cohort is cancelled by the organizers.
2. Partial Refund (50%): A 50% refund is available if you cancel your enrollment after the box shipping date, but before the cohort start date.
3. No Refund: No refunds will be issued after the cohort start date. This includes cancellations due to personal circumstances, changes in availability, or reconsideration of the cohort’s relevance.
Scholarship Recipients:

For participants who have received a scholarship or discount:
1. Refunds will be calculated based on the amount actually paid by the participant, not the full cohort price.
2. The scholarship/discount amount is not refundable under any circumstances.
3. Scholarship recipients who cancel after the box shipping date may be ineligible for future scholarship opportunities.

Example: If the cohort costs $500 and you received a $250 scholarship (paying $250), your maximum refund would be $250 (100% refund before box ships) or $125 (50% refund after box ships but before cohort start date).

Meet the Facilitators

Dr. Mimi Larson

Dr. Mimi Larson is the Executive Director for the Center at Faith and Children and Assistant Professor of Educational Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Prior to joining the TEDS faculty, she served for over 25 years in practical church ministry and was Visiting Assistant Professor of Christian Formation & Ministry at Wheaton College. Her research is in the area of children’s faith formation with a particular interest in how faith is formed in early childhood.

She serves on the board for the Society of Children’s Spirituality: Christian Perspectives and her latest book is Bridging Theory and Practice in Children’s Spirituality: New Directions for Education, Ministry and Discipleship (edited with Robert Keeley, Zondervan, 2020). Dr. Larson regularly consults with churches regarding their ministry with children and families and has developed curriculum for children’s ministry in the local church. As a recipient of Calvin’s Institute of Christian Worship’s teacher-scholar grant as well as a worshipping communities grant, her current research focus is how ministry leaders thoughtfully engage children in worship
Dr. Ahyuwani Akanet

Dr. Ahyuwani Akanet holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Theological Education from the London School of Theology and a PhD in Educational Studies from TEDS. His dissertation research explored collaborative meaning-making among postgraduate students in federal universities in Northern Nigeria. He has since continued to explore collaboration as it pertains to institutional and inter-institutional partnerships. Ahyuwani’s rich academic background in educational studies, years of experience working with children and families in church contexts, and grant management experience make him an excellent director of the center’s day-to-day activities. Ahyuwani is excited about the ways that the center can provide a bridge between practitioners and academic study surrounding children’s ministry and discipleship. Ahyuwani enjoys playing soccer, watching sports in general, and interacting with children and youth about sports and pop culture.
Joy Wendling

Joy Wendling is the Resource Coordinator at the Center for Faith and Children. She has spent over twenty years in ministry with children, youth, and families, bringing practical experience, passion, and a playful approach to nurturing faith. Holding a Master’s in Youth, Family, and Culture from Fuller Theological Seminary and an early childhood Christian education background, Joy founded Created to Play, a ministry to share the potential of play in spiritual formation. Currently a PhD student in Educational Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, she writes, speaks, and coaches churches and parents, equipping and encouraging them with hope and help shaped by her academic pursuits and the everyday adventures of raising five daughters with her husband on an island in the Pacific Northwest.