Departments
Leadership Expo | Children's Ministries
Children's Leadership Expo!
Join us for the Children's Leadership Expo — Sunday, March 1, 2026, Upper Columbia Conference Office
Upper Columbia Conference’s one-day event to inspire, train, network, equip, and resource those working with children.
When: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Where: Upper Columbia Conference Office
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
More information coming up soon!
Registration is required for this event. Please register by clicking the button below.
VBS Program Previews
- Alive in Jesus Sabbath School curriculum training for Babies & Beginners and Kindergarten & Primary classes!
- NAD VBS Program Cactusville: Where Kids Are Called to Follow Jesus
- Group Publishing 2026 VBS programs & resources:
- Holy Land Adventure — Rome,
- Weekend VBS — Galaxy
- Easy VBS — Rainforest Falls
Plus crafts, easy decorating & more!
Topics Offered
Importance of Visual Environment in Children’s Ministry — Decorating!
Presenter: Denise Graves
How can children’s ministries faithfully serve and support children of all abilities? This breakout session will provide practical strategies, tools, and ministry insights to help leaders create environments where children and families with special needs feel welcomed, valued, and supported. Participants will gain knowledge and ideas to better understand diverse learning needs while building ministry spaces that reflect Christ’s love and make room for every learner to belong and grow in faith.

Social and Emotional Learning
Presenter: Tricia Lofthouse
Covers the social and emotional (SEL) classes at Rogers Adventist Schools and includes curriculum for K-6th grades.
Anxiety/Depression in Children
Presenter: Tricia Lofthouse
Covers the rise in anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts in children and when to report your concerns.
Hands-on Craft
Presenter: Sherri Codd
More to come.
Building an Inclusive Children’s Ministry: Serving Children and Families with Special Needs
Presenter: Denise Ellenwood
How can children’s ministries faithfully serve and support children of all abilities? This breakout session will provide practical strategies, tools, and ministry insights to help leaders create environments where children and families with special needs feel welcomed, valued, and supported. Participants will gain knowledge and ideas to better understand diverse learning needs while building ministry spaces that reflect Christ’s love and make room for every learner to belong and grow in faith.
Group Publishing 2026 VBS Program Overview & Resources
Presenter: Jackie Calonder
Overview of Group Publishing on their three Vacation Bible School curriculums for 2026: Holy Land Adventure – Rome, Weekend VBS – Galaxy & Easy VBS - Rainforest Falls . There will be a chance to see and expedience some of the fun your kids will this summer.
How to STEAM Ahead – Checking Out Life on a 3rd Grade Level
Presenter: Gerald & Gayle Haeger
More to come.
TBD
Presenter: Pastor Sam Smith
More to come.
NAD VBS Cactusville Program Overview – English & Spanish)
Presenter: TBD
More to come.
Alive in Jesus Foundation and Kindergarten & Primary Sabbath School Training – English
Presenter: NAD Alive in Jesus Ambassador Team
More to come.
Alive in Jesus Foundation and Kindergarten & Primary Sabbath School Training - Spanish
Presenter: NAD Alive in Jesus Ambassador Team
More to come.
Featuring
Jackie Calonder — Presenter
Jackie Calonder is a Group Publishing Ambassador. She is also the minister at her church, Joyful Servant Lutheran Church in Newberg, Oregon. She has been in ministry for more than 25 years and love Vacation Bible School and seeing how the love of God comes alive in the eyes of kids.

Sherri Codd — Presenter
Sherri Codd has been living in Spokane for about 18 years, along with her husband and daughter, who has brought them a wonderful son and their first granddaughter. She loves children, paper crafting, baking, gardening, sewing, skiing, camping, swimming, pets, gathering with family and friends, taking pictures and decorating anything!

Denise Ellenwood — Presenter
Denise Ellenwood is a member of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and was raised on the Colville Indian Reservation. She has had a God-given love for children for as long as she can remember. Denise has served as an early learning director, children’s ministry leader, and currently works in an inclusive preschool special education classroom. She has also been a foster parent and is a proud mother of five beautiful children. Since giving her heart to Christ, Denise has been passionate about sharing His love and serving others. In her free time, she enjoys exploring God’s creation, playing basketball with her family, and expressing her creativity through beading, crafting, and painting.
Denise Graves — Presenter
More to come.
Gayle Haeger — Presenter
Gerald Haeger — Presenter
Tricia Lofthouse — Presenter
Trish works as the school counselor at Valley Adventist Schools in College Place, Washington. She has worked as a school counselor for more than 20 years and is blessed to encourage children and families to celebrate their mental health like they do their physical health....everyday!
Sam Smith — Presenter
