The 2021 Conference has concluded.
We had an incredible time and created some lasting friendships. The tools we acquired physically and through the teaching of Mary Ann Bradberry is invaluable and we look forward to 2022.
THE 2021 CONFERENCE INCLUDED:
Worship
3 Main Sessions with Mary Ann Bradberry
Lunch
Online Access to Teacher Training Videos
Anxiety in Kids (Sissy Goff)
Spiritual Formations (Dr. Shelly Melia)
All about Jesus (Matt Morgan)
More than Babysitting (Matt Morgan)
Teaching Infants to 1s (Sarah Hagar)
Teaching 2 Year Olds (Debbie Barrett)
Teaching 3 Year Olds (Dawnellen Pybas)
Teaching 4 Year Olds (Debbie Miller)
CONFERENCE LEADERS
MARY ANN BRADBERRY
Keynote Speaker & Video Session Leader
Video Session Title: The Outdoor Classroom
Brain Science Nerd, Child Advocate, and a Passionate Believer in the Child’s Right to Learn Through Play (especially outdoors), Mary Ann Bradberry recently retired as the Executive Director of Texas Baptist Church Weekday Association to become a full-time Grammie to her three-year-old granddaughter, Samantha. After 40+ years in the early childhood profession as a children’s minister, author, speaker, curriculum writer and developer, this is truthfully the is the most rewarding job she has ever had! Mary Ann earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a graduate degree in Early Childhood education from the University of North Texas. With a firm belief that children (and adults) can best experience the wonder and awe of God through spending time outdoors, Mary Ann’s goal for 2021 is to spend 1000 hours outside!
DEBBIE BARRETT
Video Session Title: Teaching 2 Year Olds
Debbie is the Director of Childhood Ministries at FBC Inola and serves as the Director of Little Arrows, the weekday program at FBC Inola. Debbie is married to Randy and they have 4 Kids, 2 of which are married and 2 GRANDsons. Debbie has served FBC Inola for 13 years. Debbie loves being with her family and enjoys cookouts at their land and talking them into fun little adventures. Any time she says to you “Come on, it’ll be fun!” you may not really know what you are getting yourself into. Debbie enjoys fun!!
DR. SHELLY MELIA
Video Session Leader
Video Session Title: Spiritual Formations of the Child
Dr Melia is the Associate Professor of Childhood Education at Dallas Baptist University where she also oversees the Master of Arts in Children’s Ministry and Family Ministry and serves as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry. She is the proud mom of three children ages 22, 20 and 18. When she is not teaching at DBU you will find her serving in my local church as a kindergarten Sunday School teacher. Dr Melia love the outdoors, exercising, and making memories with her children.
DEBBIE MILLER
Video Session Leader
Video Session Title: Teaching 4 Year Olds
Debbie is a retired Children’s Minister having served in churches in Missouri and Oklahoma. Debbie and her husband Doug tied the knot 42 years ago and have four grown children, three of which are married and have blessed them with five amazing grandchildren. Debbie and Doug are planning a visit to Nairobi, Kenya in 2022 to visit their son and his family on the mission field!
MATT MORGAN
Video Session Leader
Video Session #1 Title: All About Jesus
Video Session #2 Title: More than Babysitting
Matt Morgan serves as Kids Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, AR. He has served in children’s ministry for nearly two decades and loves seeing kids of all ages understand the richness of the Gospel. He is husband to Dana and “Daddy” to Maggie (10) and Macy (8). His other loves include the New York Mets and Little Debbie snack cakes—neither of which is good for his heart!
DAWNELLEN PYBAS
Video Session Leader
Video Session Title: Teaching 3 Year Olds
Dawnellen Pybas a member of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City where she enjoys teaching Kindergarten Sunday School and Pre-K Praise Kids (choir). She is married to Warren and they have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Dawnellen graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and Elementary Education and from The University of Central Oklahoma with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught Kindergarten for over 20 years and enjoyed every minute of it! Dawnellen also enjoys baking and decorating cupcakes. Her grandchildren call her “The Cupcake Cook.”
SARAH HAGAR
Video Session Leader
Video Session Title: Teaching Babies & Ones
Sarah Hagar serves as the Children’s Minister at Council Road Baptist Church. After graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma with a B.S. in Special Education, she worked with kids and families in churches in Tahoe City, CA, New Orleans, LA, and Lawton, OK before coming back home to OKC. Sarah also has a Masters of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She desires to see kids grow in faith that leads them to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and to equip parents to help their kids along that journey. Sarah is married to Joe, they live in Mustang with their puppy, Momo, and are expecting their first child in November.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
SOMETHING CAME UP. CAN I GET A REFUND?
Simply no. If you pay for the in-person conference, and are unable to attend, let us know and we will change your registration to online and you will receive links to watch the conference online.
WHAT IF I CAN'T COME IN PERSON?
We provide the conference digitally. You will receive links to view the conference online.
WHAT IF I REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON BUT CAN'T COME?
Let us know you are unable to attend in-person and we will switch your registration to digital. You will receive the links to view the conference online.
WHAT IF I HAVE DIETARY ISSUES?
For those of you attending in-person, we will be able to accommodate those with gluten dietary issues for lunch. Please indicate this gluten free need when you register.
For those with other dietary concerns, we apologize but we are unable to accommodate you. We will let you know what we are serving prior to your arrival so that you can make arrangements for lunch.
I HAVE A CO-DIRECTOR, CAN THEY COME WITH ME?
Absolutely yes! They must be registered as well in order to attend. When you register, you will be given the option to “register another”. Use this option or have them register separately.
WHAT IF OUR CENTER DOESN'T HAVE A CURRENT DIRECTOR?
If your center or program doesn’t have a current director, the staff member who is over the program is able to attend in their place.
WHAT COVID PROTOCOLS WILL BE IN PLACE?
Protocols for COVID change periodically. Currently, these are the steps we are taking to ensure your health:
- we ask that those who feel comfortable wearing a mask do so in common areas.
- Social distancing will also be encouraged in the seating arrangments.
- Hand sanitizer will be readily available to attendees.
- Lunch/Snack will be pre-packaged
- Drinks will be bottled and iced-down
WHAT DO I DO TO TRAIN MY TEACHERS IF THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE IS FOR DIRECTORS ONLY?
Don’t worry, we have that covered! For those who register, we are providing a database of online, downloadable training videos from amazing speakers. Most videos will be 20-30 minutes long to ensure you can watch and then debrief with your teachers. We will have 10+ videos for you to use this year.
OH NO! I FORGOT TO REGISTER ONLINE! CAN I STILL ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
Yes! Yes! Yes! We are offering walk-up registrations for those who would attend in-person. The cost goes to $75 per person, but it is definitely worth it!
If you’d rather do it online, we will offer the conference at $75 per person for those who register after July 1. This offer will go through the end of the year.
ARE THERE ANY HOTELS CLOSE, OFFERING A DISCOUNT FOR THIS CONFERENCE?
Yes! The SpringHill Suites 5400 Main St, Del City, OK 73115 is offering a Conference Rate of $109 for Thursday night, July 29. Click THIS LINK to book your hotel with this special rate.