Supporting the Christian Parenting & Caregiving and Nurturing Children Through Worship & Prayer initiatives.
Nurturing Children Through Worship & Prayer
The aim of the Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative is to help children come to know and love God and grow in faith. Grantees were invited to submit proposals to create new and/or enhance existing projects that support congregations as they design corporate worship services and prayer practices that more intentionally and fully engage children and nurture their faith. Grantees are engaged in doing one or more of the following:
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Encouraging congregations to strengthen intergenerational corporate worship and prayer practices that attend to and respect how children experience God and express their faith.
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Supporting efforts by congregations to enhance worship and prayer practices that are more fully inclusive of all children, including children with disabilities.
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Assisting congregations in drawing more fully on the arts (e.g., music, visuals, drama, etc.) to enhance the experience of worship and prayer for children.
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Encouraging congregations to strengthen practices that connect more intentionally worship and prayer with the daily life of children and that inspire children and their families to discern God’s activity in the world and engage in Christian acts of love.
Please utilize the directory below to read about the 123 organizations participating in this initiative. Please email nurturingchildren@indwes.edu with any questions.
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Adult & Teen Challenge of Texas
Promoting Prayer and Worship in Children of Recovering Addicts and Children Impacted by Addiction
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Dolly Thomas
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
C.A.R.E. for Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Julius Walls
American Baptist Home Mission Society
ABHMS Nurturing Children Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri
Asbury Theological Seminary
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Debra Adams
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
The Children's Sermons by Children Project
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Helsel
Azusa Pacific University
Sowing Seeds for God's Harvest: Cultivating Worship, Faith and Calling in Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Graddius
Baptist Grove Church
Cultivating a Legacy of Living Faith
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Katrina Tatum
Baylor University
Shaping Young Worshipers Through Transformative Music Ministry
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Maria Monteiro
Biola University
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. James Petitfils
Boston College
Children's Creative Ministry Partnership (CCMP)
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Karen Keifer
Boston University
Nurturing Immigrant Children's: Faith Experiences En Familia Program
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Cristian De La Rosa
Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation
Start with Sunday
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Patrick Donovan
Capital University
Age to Age: Curating Congregational Rituals to Form Faith With and Within Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Kris Bjorke
Catholic Diocese of Dallas
The Community of Disciples Program
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Peter Ductram
Catholic University of America
Welcoming Children in Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Jem Sullivan
Center for Youth Ministry Training
The Benediction Project
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Stephen Ingram
Central Christian College of the Bible
The VIEW Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Micah Odor
China Evangelical Seminary of North America
Welcoming Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Jennifer C. Lowe
Choristers Guild
Nurturing Choral Leaders to Connect Music to the Spiritual Mission of the Congregation
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dawn Jantsch
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Reimagining Children's Ministry
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton
Christian Theological Seminary
Growing God's Word: A Child-Centered Bible Storytelling Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Amy Lindeman Allen
Christian and Missionary Alliance
Transformational Worship: Pathways to Alliance Faith Continuity
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Josh Sadlon
Columbia Theological Seminary
Wonder of Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Kathy Dawson
Conexión Pastoral
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Melisa Prieto
Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas
CANTA: Congregaciones Ayudando a Niños a ser Transformados en Adoradores
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Robert Rueda
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
First in Thought: Nurturing Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Kelly Adams
Dagmit Debre Libanos St. Teklehaimanot Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church
Harmonizing Hearts: Cultivating Children Through Inclusive and Holistic Prayer & Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Fikirte Gebresenbet
Disciples Home Missions
Children's Worship Wonder and Welcome
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Chris Dorsey
Discipleship Ministries
Growing in Grace: Accessible Worship for All God's Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Lisa Hancock
Dordt University
All Kids are Worship Leaders: Engaging the Ministry Formation of Children Within the Priesthood of All Believers
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Angela Perigo
Duke University
Let the Children Come: Growing in Faith through Congregational Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Fred Edie
Emory University
The Sacred Arts Collective
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Khalia J. Williams
Engaging Disability With The Gospel
Room on Our Pew: Making Space for All Children in Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Kara Whittaker
Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
Centering All Children In Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
The Rev. Cannon Giulianna Cappelletti Gray
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Immersed in Worship: Welcoming Children into Intergenerational Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy
Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
No More "Sit Still" and "Be Quiet": Cultivating an Intergenerational Imagination in Worship & Formation
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Kelly Ryan
Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
Pathways to Prayer & Practice
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
The Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson
Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia
Seeds of Faith: Lord Let My Heart Be Good Soil
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Canon Catherine Saxe
Especialidades 625 (e625)
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Lucas Leys
Evangelical Covenant Church
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dominique Gilliard
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Curious Christian Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Philip Hirsch
First Baptist Church of Asheville
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Sam Rogers
First Congregational Church of Bridgton, United Church of Christ
Western Maine Children's Ministry HUB
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Spencer Law
Flagler College
Welcome Works: Creating Liturgical Interventions of Welcome
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Justin Forbes
Focus on the Family
Intergenerational Worship Toolkit for Hispanic Churches
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rebekah Bohyer
For The Children
Bridge to Belonging: Welcoming Children of Trauma through Worship and Prayer Practices
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Heather Shulgin
Fresno Pacific University
Centrando Niños en Nuestras Congregaciones
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Carlos Huerta
Fuller Theological Seminary
Imagining Worship with Kids
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Ed Willmington
General Council of the Assemblies of God
I Am a Disciple
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Julie A. Pratt
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
On Behalf of All: Toward an Accessible Divine Liturgy for Children with Disabilities
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Presv Melanie DiStefano
Hispanic Access Foundation
Kids with Giant Faith (Niños con Fe Gigante)
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Pablo Juarez
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
Nurturing Orthodox Children Through Worship and Prayer Program
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Fr. Teodor Anastasoaie
IMPACT Ministry Training Center
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Jim Gottshall
Instituto Fe Y Vida
Growing Right Onto Worship (GROW)
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Juan Escarfuller
Kidz at Heart International
Families Worshipping Together
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Becky McAllister
La Crosse Area Synod, ELCA
Engaging Children in Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Anna Sorenson
Lake Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Magaly Torres
Latin American Bible Institute
Assessing, Developing, and Promoting Intergenerational Prayer and Worship with Hispanic Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Marty Harris
Latin American Theological Seminary
Cultivating Corporate Prayer and Worship with Hispanic Children: Helping
Create Life-Long Impacts on the Hispanic Church, Family, Community, and Child
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Marty Harris
Lee University
The Story Program: A Collaborative Community Approach to Nurturing Children through Worship and Prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Lisa Long
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Nurturing Young Faith in Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Sean Daenzer
Mahibere Kidusan Coordinating Center in North America
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Mengistu Kassie
Mars Hill Bible Chuch
Congregational Networks, Familial Support, and Intergenerational Cohorts - A Three Pronged Approach to Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Chad Thoreson
Mexican American Catholic College
Praying and Learning con la Familia. Encuentro, The Child and the Lamb
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Montserrat Baños
Ministry Council of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Worship Adventure/Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Jodi Rush
Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church
Big Worship, Little Disciples
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Mona Candea
Movement West Michigan
GrowthRings at Church and Home
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Kory Plockmeyer
Nazarene Theological Seminary
Nurturing Care with Children through Worship and Prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Dean Blevins
North Carolina Synod of the ELCA
And God Said It Is Good
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Danielle DeNise
Open Door Presbyterian Church
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Elder Christian Yi
Our Daily Bread Ministries
Nurturing Young Disciples Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Chriscynethia Floyd
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
Praying in the Spirit: Nurturing Children in Three Communities, One Neighborhood
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Esther Sianipar
Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith International
LET (Lois-Eunice-Timothy) Children Development Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Elder Aaron Porter
Phillips Theological Seminary
Worshiping with Children: Imaging and Imagining the Presence of God
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Allie Utley
Presbyterian Association of Musicians
Child of Bless: Growing Faith in Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Sandra McDonald
Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. David Maxwell
Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer in Korean Immigrant Church
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Rubin Kim
Redeemer City to City
Nurturing Children City to City
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Amy O'Brien
Reformed Church in America
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Annalisa Radcliffe
Rio Texas Conference
Making Meaning Together Through Worship and Prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen
Samford University
Animating Young Worshipers: Strengthening Worship-Shaped Ministry with Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Emily Andrews
Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Rubén Velez-Garcia
Seton Catholic Schools
Faith Immersion Program (FIP)
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Jim Schultz
Simmons College of Kentucky
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Chris Caldwell
South Carolina Conference, The United Methodist Church
Connecting Children in Worship and Prayer (SCUMC)
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Westbury
South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
SD Synod Holy Playground
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Constanze Hagmaier
Southeast Pastoral Institute
Inculturated Prayer and Worship Experience for US Hispanic Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Sister Lizeth Guadalupe Manrique Músico
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Faith Alive
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Stacy-Kyle Rea
St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Worship & Wonder: Children Leading the Way to Renewing Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Matthew Ian Fleming
St. Meinrad Archabbey
Children's Revival of Participation at Sunday Mass
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Kelly Gallagher
Storymakers
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Melina Smith
Teaching Like Jesus Ministries
Beyond Sunday School: Welcoming Children Into Worship
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. LaVerne Tolbert
The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM)
Sankofa Faith Initiative for Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Bishop Andrea Vassell
Trinity International University
Center for Faith and Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Mimi L. Larson
United Church of Christ (Local Church Ministries)
Love of Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Trayce Potter
United Methodist Publishing House
Worship with All God's Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Marj Pon
University of Dayton
Creating and Enhancing Worship Opportunities for Children with Disabilities
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Jana Bennett
University of Notre Dame
Contours of Wonder: Childhood and the Liturgical Imagination in Our Age
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Timothy P. O'Malley
University of the Incarnate Word
Artful Worship: Inspiring Children's Faith through the Catholic Imagination
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. LuElla D'Amico
Villanova University
Children, Liturgy, and Ecology Project
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Christy Lang Hearlson
Virginia Conference, The United Methodist Church
VAUMC Hatching Faith Cohorts
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dwayne Stinson
Virginia Theological Seminary
Roots & Wings: Intergenerational Formation Collaborative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Lisa Kimball
Wesley Theological Seminary
Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Beth Ludlum
Western District Conferences of the Mennonite Church USA
Kids Meet Christ Worship Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Kathy Neufeld Dunn
Western North Carolina Conference, The United Methodist Church
Cultivate: Nurturing Children in Worship and Prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Shannon LeMaster-Smith
Western Theological Seminary
Nurturing Children with Disabilities
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Benjamin Conner
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Wonder and Worship Center
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Dr. Michelle Junkin
Wheaton College
Thriving Faith Initiative: Nurturing children and families impacted by disability through worship and prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Thomas Boehm
World Mission University
WMU Lilly Project: Nurturing Children through Worship and Prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Yoon Jung Choi