Reflections from the 2026 MS District Children's Conference - by Sarah Aslesen

After nearly a decade away from a conference dedicated entirely to children’s ministry, I wasn’t quite prepared for just how refreshing it would be. What I experienced at the 2026 MS Children’s Ministers Conference was more than helpful training sessions and helpful ideas—it was a reminder of the calling, the heart, and the purpose behind reaching the next generation. Surrounded by passionate, anointed ministers who share the same burden for children, it quickly became clear that this gathering was truly a God moment.

I would love to gush over everything that went down at the conference and I’m quite willing to monologue on how there were so many incredible spiritual experiences … if only time and word count allowed. Sigh. I digress.

A Variety of Insightful Split Sessions

Split sessions (of which there were an almost overwhelmingly large variety) were offered to help foster new perspectives on various aspects of children's ministry: specific challenges we face as teachers, modern teaching methods, and more.

Two of the sessions I attended (one led by Cory Gonzalez and the other by Silas VanOoteghem) presented ways of connecting today’s children with God’s Word and His presence through:

1. Personal Connection

2. Creative, Hands-On Material (Action songs/ Object Lessons.)

   
   

They taught that children's minister employs unique trademarks that reflect who they are as individuals while still maintaining balance—how to attract the attention of a younger generation without diluting God’s Word and presence with entertainment.

Another session I attended about helping children transition to youth, led by Hunter and Amber Gray, specifically addressed many issues I’d been praying about in our own Sunday school. Both their passion and their burden were evident throughout the session, and there were so many practical takeaways I cannot wait to try out.

They weighed in heavily on the idea that together youth and children's ministry can become an integral part of a student's Biblical foundation. Each session was absolutely wonderful and rich with ideas on how to enhance both the classroom and the Children’s Ministry Department as a whole.

Ministering to the Hearts of Teachers

However, a few sessions were geared more specifically toward the teachers themselves. I had the absolute pleasure of attending two such sessions led by Debbie Simler-Goff .

After opening with a heartfelt prayer in her session on “The Science and Soul of Grief,” she immediately dove into how much loss affects childhood.

Ms. Goff taught attendees that at every stage in life, every person experiences some form of loss, and it is our natural instinct to think of loss in relation to death or abuse. In reality, it can encompass topics such as identity and worth, friendships and family, or status and stability.

She went on to say that each loss triggers places in the prefrontal cortex (the emotional regulator) and the amygdala (the center for fight-or-flight response). These two areas of your brain often dance a sort of tango between themselves, jostling for prominence in your emotional state.

One of my takeaways from this class was that as caring teachers and ministers, we usually sense when our students are dealing with this kind of internal struggle, and it screams at you, “Pull out the hurts like a bad splinter and make this sweet baby feel better!”

However, Mrs. Goff taught that unless the situation is so dire that professional care is needed, the teacher's best approach would simply be to be the student's friend—to come alongside them in their playtime—and in so doing, you are helping them to heal.

So, in other words, smile and high-five with all your heart. Be a listening ear (actually listen, even if they may tend to ramble). Give them opportunities to help around the classroom and feel valued.

A practical tactic discussed in the class that can apply to both teachers and students is: When a person either writes out or talks through the emotions they’re experiencing, those feelings are no longer part and parcel of who they are. As Mrs. Goff said in the class, “It gives a container for those emotions to stay.” They are no longer tied to identity, the amygdala is given a chill pill, and your body realizes feelings are simply being felt.

Tending the Field at MS District Children's Conference

The following morning, Mrs. Goff taught on the topic of “Tending the Field”, which continued to build upon the previous evening’s discussion.

Mrs. Goff taught that as teachers, we have been given fields to tend. Every Sunday morning, the sweet little faces set before us are an opportunity to plant the Word of God in thriving little hearts.

While John 4:35 indicates that the fields are ready for harvest (and they truly are!), teachers often neglect to tend the field of their own hearts. Festering hurts, unresolved conflicts, and ignored apathies—despite being “hidden away”—will surface at some unappointed time when pressure is applied.

Pressure, for some reason or another, seems to appear on a Sunday morning. Perhaps that morning nothing went well—you spilled tea all over your lap, one child is wearing two different shoes and three different shirts, your spouse is clearly the problem, and every light from your house to church seems to be red. Frustration abounds.

What will be the tone that is set in the classroom? Before you even crack open the Goldfish and apple juice, your attitude has already set the tone for that day’s lesson. An explosive response or a calm reaction are opportunities for children both to absorb and reflect.

In no way are you expected to be perfect. We are all human, with all the delightful emotional baggage that comes with humanity. However, we are also programmed to automatically mirror what we see, feel, and hear—children being the most reflective of all.

Self-deprecating thoughts are simply weeds that can choke out the call and anointing He has placed on your life.

If your heart lies fallow and dormant, who will reach the next generation? If you see yourself as a failure or worthless, what will those little souls who look up to you see in themselves?

It is time to speak to yourself as God would speak to you and pray to see yourself through His eyes—with love, mercy, and compassion.

Looking Ahead

Through a balanced understanding of practical scientific principles coupled with the healing power of God and His Word, Debbie brought a deeper understanding of how to minister—reaching past the role of a teacher into the true heart of the matter.

Although each session she and many other talented speakers taught here maintained a unique theme, the authority and anointing remained consistent.

The Lord willing, I cannot wait for another chance to attend the Mississippi Children’s Ministers Conference—and I hope to see you there!

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Sarah Aslesen (pretty much sneeze and you have the last name down) is the Children’s Director at Greater Life in Columbia Heights, Minnesota under the leadership of Pastor Nathan Kirk. Having worked in children’s ministry from a young age, her goal is to empower kids to deeply understand God and His word while simultaneously fostering a safe, creative space for them to develop as leaders and ministers now. Through these two avenues, she hopes to influence this generation with an “ALL IN!” type of passionate love for Jesus and His Kingdom, to know Him as their best friend.

It is Ms. Aslesen's fervent belief (and biased opinion) that all souls are the same size, that Sunday school is not babysitting, and that children’s ministry might just be the most important ministry within a church body. In her spare time, Sarah loves to dabble in general shenaniganry and anything to do with music, literature, and art. Thrift stores and local coffee shops are often haunted by her

presence, and Veggie Tales and classical music are her jams. It is her personal understanding

that cheetah print and glitter are, in fact, neutrals while chocolate is basically salad.

Sarah Aslesen