Anchored in Courage: KidMin Conference motivates bold faith

With the theme Anchored in Courage, the opening session of the Awesome KidMin Conference kicked off with game participants “testing their courage” by taste testing jellybeans. Some contestants were treated to flavours such as popcorn or cappuccino, while others’ faces soured as they chomped down on beans with flavours such as barf or booger.

(photo supplied)

The conference, an opportunity for people involved in children’s ministry to receive encouragement and training, took place at Eastview Community Church in Winnipeg, on March 7–8, 2025. Following the opening fun and games, and a time of corporate worship through song, keynote speaker Melissa MacDonald took the stage to speak on how those gathered could be anchored in courage “when things feel too big.”

MacDonald pointed listeners to the way the Israelites responded to the scouts’ report of the promised land (Numbers 13–14). While the majority of the scouts described the difficulties awaiting them in taking the land, Joshua reminds the Israelites who God is. MacDonald said when what we’re facing feels too big, we need to remind ourselves who is actually in charge, and that God never calls us to something he will not equip us for. The session concluded with a time of reflection and communion.

Attendees regathered the following morning to hear once again from MacDonald on how to be anchored in courage “when I’m scared.” She reminded attendees that having courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid. When we are scared, we need to go/do/be where God is, just as the Israelites were asked to step into the Jordan River without knowing how they would get across (Joshua 3). MacDonald also said when we’re scared, we are called to trust. “A lot of us live our lives dipping our toes into what God has for us … [we miss out on] what God could do if we stepped out,” she said. We are also called to obey, she said, and “it’s okay to do it scared.”

After the morning session, participants went to a variety of breakout sessions on topics such as Managing Me, How to Prepare Like a Pro, Serious Fun, The Art of Story, YOUth CAN Do This, or Making Scripture Stick. There was also time allotted for teams to debrief or for participants to shop the resource area.

To conclude the day, attendees gathered once again to hear from MacDonald on how to be anchored in courage “when I don’t understand.” Looking at Hebrews 11, MacDonald pointed to the men and women listed who were required to step out in faith without knowing what God was going to do. “You will feel alone, crazy and misunderstood sometimes,” she said. “That doesn’t mean you don’t have courage. That doesn’t mean you aren’t doing the right thing.” She encouraged attendees that just like those men and women in Hebrews 11 who “did not receive the things promised” (v. 13), children’s ministry is about planting seeds without necessarily seeing the fruit.

The conference concluded with a time of worship and commissioning prayer.

 MacDonald pointed listeners to the way the Israelites’ responded to the scouts returning from the promised land.

MacDonald pointed listeners to the way the Israelites’ responded to the scouts’ report of the promised land.