Archive for the 'Events' Category

Congratulations Ryan!

Published
by
Evan Doyle
on May 19, 2008
in Events and Random
. 3 Comments

Hey, this is Evan! Something very exciting happened yesterday: Ryan celebrated 10 years of full time ministry at our home church, Liberty Baptist. All along, his wife Beth has been serving with him in ministry. To show him the church’s appreciation, we threw a surprise party for Ryan and Beth yesterday during the evening service. It was an exciting night as we looked back over the 10 years Ryan has been at Liberty full time. And even more exciting, we were reminded of how thankful we are that the fashion from the late 90s is over!

Ryan means a lot to our church, as well as to many of you. So if you have a funny story, thank you, or anything else you would like us to share with Ryan, just leave a comment on below! This is our little way of showing Ryan how much his church family and his online family care!

Now, what Ryan didn’t know was that behind his back I sent an email to several of our Way We See It subscribers and asked for their comments to share with him. Here a just a few of them I’ve received:

“As children’s pastors, in networks of children’s pastors, we are learning, sharing, growing, and spreading God’s love in new and creative ways because kidz matter. You may never see or meet all the lives impacted this side of heaven, but heaven will be different because of your investment in the lives of leaders in the here and now. Your investment in the kids you minister to each week has ripple effects as you challenge, grow and stretch each of us. Thanks for allowing God to use you to make a difference in the Kingdom for kids, families, teachers, and leaders.” Susan Hoak

“Thank you, Ryan, for allowing God to use you to touch the lives of so many kids and those who minister to kids. It is easy to see that kids really do matter to you. I have been blessed through your ministry. Keep pressing on!” Melinda Autry

“Please add me to the count of Children’s Pastors that is so appreciative of Ryan and Beth for the support they provide through their friendship, Kidzmatter.com, the Blog, as well as the workshops Ryan leads. May God continue to use Ryan for the advancement of His kingdom at Liberty Baptist and throughout the world!” Deana Hayes

“I’ve always appreciated Pastor Ryan and Beth’s drive for the Lord. Whenever I think of Pastor Ryan and Beth I think of hard work, enthusiasm for God’s work, and most of all, integrity. Both Ryan and Beth are vital members of our congregation and the body of Christ as a whole. We, at Liberty, are so blessed to call them family!” Briana Pickering

Smackdown, communion and 150 kids

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on March 16, 2008
in Events and Random
. 0 Comments

This morning in Kid’s Church I started a 2-week Kidmo series called Smackdown. I picked it up last week when I saw the Kidmo guys in Seattle. It was a hit. Here’s what made it great:

1) This is a short two-week series perfect for plugging into your program. My kids hadn’t seen Johnny Rogers since the summer when we did Fetch.

2) The media elements are excellent. The Kidmo team is getting better and better and have set the standard high for media-driven curriculum.

3) Smackdown is a funny story about Los Hermaños Stinkos (the three Stinky Brothers) as they search for the mighty El Salvador. The videos centers around the wrestling ring which the boys in my church loved.

4) Today’s episode was about communion. For the first time ever, I served communion to the kids. Was I nervous? Yes. I was second guessing it all the way until 8:00 this morning. How would I serve 150 kids communion without staining the carpet and having a mess on my hands? Well, it worked great. The video set the stage, I followed up with a five-minute talk about communion and what it means, and during some worship songs, I took the kids in groups of 10 to the back of the room where they were given a cracker and small cup of juice. It worked beautifully.

5) “It was funny but serious.” This is what one of my leaders told me after church about the Johnny Rogers video.

I think communion on Palm Sunday might be a new tradition in my kids church. It was very meaningful and the kids really took it seriously.

Why do I get this way?

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on January 19, 2008
in Events and Random
. 2 Comments

I am wired right now. Why? Have I been drinking too much Pepsi? Probably, but that’s not why. It’s because Children’s Pastors’ Conference is next week. I always get this way a few days before it’s time to go.

Last night we packed the box truck at midnight for Orlando. I stopped counting boxes at 120! I was waiting for the inevitable to happen and it did. A cop showed up. Someone called 911 because three guys in sock hats and gloves (it’s cold here in Indiana right now!) had a box truck backed up to our KidzMatter offices and were loading up! We must have looked somewhat honest because it didn’t take too much convincing before he got back in his warm car and took off.

CPC is my Bethel. It’s my favorite week of the year. To be with over 2,000 other people who love and serve kids in the church is amazing. If you’re going to be in Orlando next week (or San Diego in March) please be sure and say hi! CPC here we come!

K! Magazine is coming your way!

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on January 4, 2008
in Blog Updates and Events
. 3 Comments

I received word a few minutes ago that the inaugural issue of K! Magazine shipped this morning. Keep your eyes peeled because K! is coming your way! Subscribers should expect to receive your copy sometime next week.

Did you know that you can get a free subscription to K! Magazine with every registration to Children’s Pastors’ Conference? That’s right. Just mention K! Magazine when you register. You’ll be added to the subscriber list and will be notified by mail of your subscription status. If you’re already subscribed, we’ll add a year to your subscription.

Tips for Convincing Your Pastor to Send YOU to Children’s Pastors’ Conference

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on January 3, 2008
in Events
. 1 Comment

I love Children’s Pastors’ Conference. I often tell people that it’s my Bethel. It gives me that shot in the arm for another year of vibrant ministry. Trying to decide how to convince your pastor to let you go? Here are 10 ideas.

1. You’ll spend four days learning everything from how to recruit volunteers to helping parents with their kids. Experts in their field who really know their stuff teach it all.

2. You’ll bring back new ideas for making children’s ministry fun. No more boredom in your church! Offer to hold a training meeting for your volunteers and teachers when you get back.

3. Explore the hottest products in the market in the Resource Center. There’s a lot to see from over 100 companies! You’ll return to the church with tons of free samples, a long list of ideas, plus contact information from a variety of people who can help your church.

4. You’ll get lots of other free stuff, like magazines (humm… I wonder which one), a tote bag, a notebook, great meals…

5. You’ll be inspired by some of the top ministers in the children’s ministry.

6. You’ll receive a beautiful conference notebook, ready to be packed full of ideas you’ll start getting the very first day. If you bring back just one awesome idea, the conference will be worth it.

7. Networking opportunities like you’ve never seen before! You will sit in circles at each general session, will eat together, and will have many opportunities to make long lasting relationships.

8. Host an “everything I learned at Children’s Pastors’ Conference” presentation when you get home. Show your pastor how you will handle some of the problems you are currently facing.

9. Does your church have an open job position? Offer to post the position on the message boards near registration and then scout out potential candidates at the conference. You could even screen possible hires on-site.

10. With over 140 workshops, 100 exhibitors, 6 general sessions, and meals, Children’s Pastors’ Conference is a bargain. It’s stuff you won’t find anywhere else.

So have you convinced him? Sign up already!

What an awesome team

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on December 10, 2007
in Events
. 1 Comment

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We had our KidzMatter Christmas party Friday night at our house. My brother-in-law, Matt, and his wife, Megan, created an awesome meal for us complete with appetizers. Keep your eye out for Matt Bishir - he might be the next Iron Chef. The meal ended with an awesome chocolate fondu and Starbuck’s coffee. We had a fun gift exchange and even a game complete with prizes. Nevan even gave me a new book - The Idiot’s Guide to Creating a Magazine for Children’s Ministry. Awesome gift Nevan. I’ve almost read the whole thing. In the picture you’ll see us sporting our new KidzMatter hooded sweatshirts.

I’m so thankful to God for the team God has brought together at KidzMatter. I’m praying that next year our staff will grow with even more creative people that love kid’s ministry like this team does. I wish we could have included our magazine staffers and editors too. Maybe next year.

For the record, here’s the who’s who (from left to right). Front row: Ryan Frank (President), Beth Frank (Office Manager). Back row: Nevan Hooker (Product Development Director), Renae Doyle (Publications Director), Evan Doyle (Technology Director).

AWANA, the GCSSA, and your wife

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on December 5, 2007
in Events and Leadership
. 8 Comments

Monday I had the opportunity to spend the day at AWANA headquarters hanging out with Jack Eggart (President/CEO) and Larry Fowler (Director of Training). These two men are great thinkers and have a deep passion to see children impacted by the message of the Gospel. The three of us even made a trip to a local Thai restaurant for lunch (which was a first for me).

We spent the day talking AWANA, the world of children’s ministry, along with current trends and thoughts. I could write a LONG blog post about different things we discussed. For sake of time, I’ll just share one for now.

Did you know that the Greater Chicago Sunday School Association (GCSSA) has had an annual convention for over 60 years? Back in the day, pastors and teachers flocked to the event - over 6,000 of them in fact. Today the convention continues but with only a few hundred showing up.

This morning I was reading an article about Reggie Joyner’s Orange Conference. Last year was the inaugural conference and nearly 4,000 people showed up at the door. This April they are planning on 5,000 plus. Not bad for the second year, huh?

Why will thousands gather in Atlanta this April but only a few hundred will make the trip to Chicago for the Sunday School Convention? Here’s my thought. Most Pastors aren’t interested in Sunday School anymore. They’ve turned away from the Sunday School (though most will never have the guts to pull the plug) and are caught up in the family ministry wave that is sweeping through (which is what Orange is all about). Take a minute and read this post from my friend Keith Drury called, Have You Been Taking Your Wife for Granted? You’ll see the connection after you read it.

P.S. I’ll be at Orange. Will you?

Update on Uncle Charlie

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on November 26, 2007
in Blog Updates and Events
. 1 Comment

As many of you know, Uncle Charlie was in a serious car accident two weeks ago. (Click here to read the first post about this.) I called his mother to check on him today and was surprised when she told me “someone wants to talk to you” and took the phone to Charlie!

He was released from the hospital Saturday night. He ended up with 14 broken ribs, a broken sternum, a broken ankle, multiple compound fractures in his guitar-strummin’ hand, and some internal injuries. He is still on pain medication and was talking kind of funny on the phone.

Everyone who saw the accident and the condition of the vehicles knows that it’s nothing short of a miracle that Charlie is alive today. I told Charlie on the phone that the greatest days are just ahead. He is very positive and has his chin up. Please continue to pray for Charlie and his wife Tammy during this time. I’ll keep you posted as I learn more.

Wow. That’s what I said.

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on October 17, 2007
in Events, Random and Technology
. 3 Comments

I love Tiger Direct. If you’ve ever been to one of my technology seminars, you’ve heard me drop their name. They are having a 72-hour sale where you can get a 1500 lumen video projector, a mounting bracket, and an 80 inch screen for $399. There’s no excuse for not having a video projector in kid’s church anymore.

The sale ends 10/19. You better call a special board meeting at church and get out the checkbook!

The first kids church service

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on September 19, 2007
in Events and News
. 1 Comment

roberto.jpgI served on church staff with a friend of mine for a few years. We went to youth group together when we were teenagers. Robert went to ABWE candidate school and became an ABWE missionary. Since then he has married a great gal named Alejandra and they have been working in LA Country reaching Hispanics. This past Sunday was their first church service.

I was excited to get a phone call from Robert this week at my house. He wanted to tell me about their first kids church service. The two kids in this picture were part of that service. It warmed my heart to hear that they used some of the products that we had sent them from the KidzMatter store. The kids loved Will it Float, the songs on Worship Aid, and more.

Here’s part of what Robert had to say:

“Our Saturday outreach ministries during much of the year have helped to build up a core group in order to begin Sunday services. September 16th was our first Sunday worship service. Ten countries were represented! The building only holds 40 and there were 39 adults in attendance. We also had 11 children outside in junior church. It was a great beginning!

“The kids loved our first Sunday Adventure Club! My only disappointment was that we did not have more attend, but the kids are excited about inviting their friends next week. During the Bible lesson, they were asked, ‘Where do we find the story of creation in the Bible?’ and a little boy enthusiastically responded, ‘On the first page!’ It is a blessing to see these kids eagerly learning about God while their hearts are still tender. Thank you for praying.”

Please pray for my friends Robert & Alejandra Cupps as they attempt to reach Hispanic boys and girls in Los Angeles.