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 170 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
Auburn Theological Seminary
Worshiping Intergenerationally and Nurturing Kids through Storytelling (WINKS)
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Emma Jordan-Simpson
Augsburg Fortress Publishers
Unbridled Presence
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dawn Rundman
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
Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church
Constellation Project
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Christine Latona
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
Calvin Theological Seminary
DRILL – Dialogues that Re-Ignite Love and Learning
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Gabriela Tijerina-Pike
Capital University
Age to Age: Curating Congregational Rituals to Form Faith With and Within Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Kris Bjorke
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Molly Murphy
Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States of America
Nurturing Children Through Worship & Prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Odette Barrientos
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 Contemplative Justice
Family Spiritual Direction Project
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dorian Hanna
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 Church in Kentucky
Christian Church in Kentucky
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Olivia Bryan Updegrove
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
Diocese of El Paso Pastoral Center
Catholic Diocese of El Paso
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Ann Darnell
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 Church in Minnesota
Gathered: Inclusive Worship with Neurodivergent Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Lienesch
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:
Missy Morain
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
Gate of Hope Ministries Intl
Himbaza Program
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Jeremie Munyabarame
General Council of the Assemblies of God
I Am a Disciple
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Rev. Julie A. Pratt
Godly Play Foundation
Clearing the Way for Grace: Bridging the gap between practice and theory
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Cheryl Minor
Grace Presbytery
Renewed Grace: Transforming Worship Practices with Neurodivergent Children
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Jennifer Bluestein
Great Commission Publications, Inc.
The Show Me Jesus: Worship and Prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Heather Cossar
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
On Behalf of All: Toward an Accessible Divine Liturgy for Children with Disabilities
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Presv Melanie DiStefano
Heartland Church
The Heartland Church Nurturing Kids through Worship and Prayer Initiative
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
JoAnna Brown
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
International Pentecostal Holiness Church
CROSS-Generational Worship and Prayer
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Tiffany Trainor
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
Luther Seminary
The Theological Turn in Children's Ministry program
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Andrew Root
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
Mennonite Health Services
All-In: Immersive Worship for Everybody
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Clare Krabill
Mercer University
Enhancing Worship for Neurodivergent Children Through Music and the Arts
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Nathan Myrick
Methodist Theological School in Ohio
Kids Incorporated: Incorporating the Next Generation into the Full Life of Congregation
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Lisa Allen-McLaurin
Mexican American Catholic College
Praying and Learning con la Familia. Encuentro, The Child and the Lamb
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Dr. Montserrat Baños
Michigan Conference United Church of Christ
Michigan Mitten Project: Knitting Together Children and Adults in Worship and Prayer in the United Church of Christ
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Jennifer Ringgold
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
National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
National Community of Catechetical Leaders
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
John Roberto
National SS and HYM Congress of the Church of Christ Holiness USA
KidsCONNECT
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Eric Cummings Jr
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
Orthodox Youth Ministries
Praising God Outdoors
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Chantel Cappuccilli
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
Princeton Theological Seminary
The Crossroads Project
PROJECT:
CONTACT:
Abigail Visco Rusert