CPC16 is over, but the moments from the conference keep running in my head.
Here are five things that I absolutely loved about CPC16:
1.Going Deep
At CPC, the opportunity to go deep starts from the moment you register.
This year we offered six free pre-conference tracks that allowed leaders to dig deep into a topic. These three-hour intensives were packed and the energy garnered from having enough time to really invest into a content area (worship, tweens, Scripture) carried us into the rest of the week.
Throughout CPC, we opened up other free opportunities for leaders to go one on one with a coach. These moments are life-changing as kidmin share their heart and unique challenges with experienced leaders who have been there!
2. Hearing from world-class speakers
Bob Goff. Wess Stafford. Beth Guckenberger. Jo Saxton. Michelle Anthony. Ryan Frank!
Hearing from these incredible communicators about unity, children’s ministry, family ministry, loving others, and supporting each other was absolutely incredible. It was not just the learning, but hearing God weave their stories and themes together in spectacular ways.
I left challenged and bursting with hope.
3. Getting to announce that CPC17 is in Orlando
Throughout its 36-year history, the Children’s Pastors Conference has been hosted in multiple cities.
While we enjoyed our time in Chattanooga, it was a thrill to announce that CPC17 is going to be in Orlando! In fact, CPC has found a home for the next five years in Orlando at the Caribe Royale Hotel and Convention Center. It’s not only a beautiful convention center, we can keep the price of the conference down to help your budget.
4. Worshipping with the community
One of the things we value at INCM is corporate worship. Our team has this incredible privilege and honor to steward the gathering of leaders from across the world from nearly 80 denominations for the sake of children. So as we gather, we spend a significant amount of time in worship.
We specifically ask a worship pastor to lead this time so the worship leader and band’s only aim is to help guide and engage everyone in worship and praise without any other agenda. While a well-known recording artist doing a praise concert would be fun, there’s something special about releasing a worship pastor to lead a group of people who rarely get to worship.
These times at the conference were central to the experience and it is awe-inspiring to hear 1500 people committed to the next generation declare songs of praise together.
5. Praying with people
When I first started at INCM, I asked one of the founders of the conference why they started CPC. Her answer: “Because we need each other.”
That’s the truth.
We need each other. To learn. To encourage. To be inspired. To walk along the hard road together. To pray.
Throughout the conference I had countless conversations that ended with, “Let’s pray.” I love praying for people. I can think of no greater gift than to stand with someone in prayer before God. And these personal times of prayer were multiplied many times over through our prayer volunteers during General Sessions, the INCM team and our volunteer staff who would stop and pray with anyone who needed it. So much yes.
If you weren’t able to make it to CPC16, don’t worry. You can still participate in INCM Web Week – a special offering on March 15-17 that includes live streaming of the general sessions from CPC, CM Leaders, and Bridge for just $119!
One of the greatest advantages of INCM Web Week is that it’s the only time you’ll be able to watch Bob Goff’s incredible message from CPC. Bob’s session had the highest rated feedback from our attendees, and the only place it’s available after CPC is during Web Week.
So sign up and don’t miss out!
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