KidMin Conferences—Are They Worth It?

I still remember the very first time I attended a Kids Ministry Conference. I went all by myself, didn’t know a soul, and was surrounded by thousands of people. I felt super overwhelmed and unsure of what to expect—but I prayed that God would keep my heart and mind open to whatever He had for me.

Then I heard the first strum of the guitar, and it was like the floodgates opened. The worship team began to sing, and my hungry heart joined in. As thousands of voices filled the room, tears streamed down my face. This must be what Heaven sounds like. This must be what Heaven feels like. To be surrounded by so many people passionate about serving the Creator—about reaching children for Jesus—was powerful. In that moment, I no longer felt alone or overwhelmed. I felt home.

The Anatomy of a KidMin Conference

There are tons of Kids Ministry conferences across the U.S. (and even a few in Canada). I’ve been to several, and while each has its own personality, most follow a similar layout:

• Main Sessions – Big gatherings with prayer, worship, and key speakers around the main theme.
• Breakout Sessions – Smaller classes led by ministry leaders or vendors sharing their expertise.
• Coaching – One-on-one time with KidMin pros.
• Vendor Hall – A wonderland of ministry tools, ideas, and resources.

Each part serves a purpose—and together, they make these conferences so worth it.

Main Sessions: A Breath of Fresh Worship

As KidMin leaders, many of us miss Sunday services because we’re busy serving. So, to be in a space where we get to worship, be prayed over, and be poured into—it’s refreshing.

And let me tell you…the worship? FIRE. There’s no way the enemy’s getting anywhere near that room. The Spirit fills every inch of it. The teaching is just as powerful—Scripture-based, passionate, and deeply prayed over. You can feel that these conferences are led by people who care about feeding the shepherds who feed the sheep.

It feels good to be led. To sit under teaching. To simply receive.

Breakout Sessions: The Real-World Stuff

Breakouts are where you dig into specific areas of ministry—everything from special needs inclusion to worship leading, volunteer culture, or creative programming.

These sessions are usually led by real KidMin leaders or ministry partners who know their stuff. They’re not there to sell you something—they’re there to equip you. I love that conference organizers really listen to what leaders are talking about online and build sessions that meet those needs.

If you go, take full advantage. Pick a few sessions that stretch you, not just the ones you’re comfortable with.

Coaching: Wisdom You Can’t Get Anywhere Else

Not every conference offers this, but if you ever get the chance to do one-on-one coaching—do it. You might get to sit with ministry legends like Jim Wideman or Kim Botto, ask your burning questions, and get personal insight tailored to your situation.

Some conferences even offer prayer rooms or counseling spaces for leaders who are tired or burned out. I’ve seen God move powerfully in those quiet corners, meeting people right where they are. Ministry can be heavy—and sometimes, that moment of rest and encouragement is exactly what your soul needs.

The Vendor Hall: Disney for KidMin Leaders

Okay, picture this: you walk into a giant room that feels like Disney Springs for ministry people. No, there’s no World of Disney store—but there is everything else your ministry heart could dream of.

Curriculum? Check.
Next summer’s VBS? Yep.
Volunteer T-shirts, Bible giveaways, games, discipleship resources, Christmas scripts, outreach ideas—you name it, it’s there.

You’ll get so many ideas you can’t even process them all at once. That’s why they hand you a swag bag—to haul it all home. (And trust me, you’ll need it.)

The People: Your Tribe

Honestly, this might be the best part. The people you meet will inspire you, encourage you, and sometimes even become lifelong friends. Ministry can be lonely, and the enemy loves to isolate us—but having a network of like-minded leaders to pray with, talk with, and dream with is a gift.

Over the years, I’ve met two amazing friends through these conferences. Now we room together, grab dinner, and share the whole experience each year. It’s such a blast to catch up on each other’s ministries and families, and then end the night talking about the breakouts we attended and what the Lord spoke to us that day. Those late-night conversations are life-giving, and honestly, they’ve become one of my favorite parts of the entire experience.

Reconnecting with friends like that at each conference feels like a family reunion—one filled with laughter, prayer, and purpose.

So…Should You Go?

If you’re on the fence about attending a KidMin conference—go.

Go to be fed.
Go to be encouraged.
Go to learn something new.
Go to meet someone new.
Go to be reminded that what you do matters.

Come back so on fire that you can’t help but share what you’ve learned at your next staff meeting. You are worth investing in. Your ministry is worth it. Your families are worth it.

And who knows—you might just find that same “Heaven-sound” moment I did, standing shoulder to shoulder with others who love Jesus and love kids just like you do.

Jodie Slongo is the Kids' Director at Stony Creek Church in Utica, Michigan, and has been involved in Kids Ministry since her teenage years. When she's not serving at church, she enjoys spending time with her family. One of their favorite activities is visiting the charming town of Frankenmuth, where they go about once a month. They especially love exploring Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas store, where Jodie is always on the lookout for unique or cool ornaments.