SMBC 2026 Children's Ministry Conference

Colin Buchanan is Australia's most successful solo Christian artist. From kid's music to ABC Play School, to country music and Golden Guitar Awards, his faith and creativity have combined wonderfully for over 30 years.
Colin will be giving us insight into his creative process.

Mark Stephens lectures in New Testament at SMBC. Before joining SMBC, Mark spent over a decade lecturing in theology at Excelsia College, as well as being a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity.
Mark will be giving a Bible talk on the theme of creativity.

Presenter: Naomi de Vries
Naomi is the Children’s and Families pastor at The Bridge Church, a multisite Anglican Church on the North Shore and Inner West of Sydney.

Stories capture our hearts as well as our minds. Stories make the invisible qualities of God visible for children. In this seminar we will explore how to use and tell biblical stories well, creative ways to tell stories and tips on how to use stories to help children see and delight in God.

Presenter: Robyn Garlick
Robyn is the Children’s Pastor at Narwee Baptist Church, where she has had the joy of serving for the past 25 years.

What are our expectations when children come to a kids' program? Why do we expect them to learn from the Bible? What do we expect them to learn? How do we expect them to learn? We will discover answers to these questions through creative minds and hands.

Presenter: Simon Hood
Simon is a founding director and the Managing Director of Logosdor. He helped establish KidsGames and the Global Children’s Forum and is a globally recognised authority on children’s ministry.

Presenter: Adam Jolliffe
Adam has been a Children's Minister for 20 years and now works with Youthworks as an advisor, lecturer, trainer, camp speaker in Children's Ministry.

One reason that Colin is so effective is that he's creative and hilarious. But inside the chaos, there are profound truths expressed simply to children. We'll dig into the serious stuff of how creativity and humour can make your Bible presentations profoundly memorable.

Presenter: Linda Stephens
Linda has served in Anglican churches across Sydney for over 20 years. She is currently the full-time Children and Families Pastor at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Castle Hill.

Please help... we're desperate! Is there a better way to communicate the need, value, joy and leadership needs in ministry to children? How to set vision and communicate, in a way that people might listen and be provoked to action. Tips, thoughts and ideas for harnessing God's people for the work He has created them to do.

Presenter: Bruce Linton
Bruce, after many years in children's ministry in churches, is currently the CMS NSW & ACT's children's and youth worker.

Sometimes questions are the best answers. How can we as leaders creatively interact and relate to children, particularly through questions, to help children deepen their love for God, and grow their wonder and delight in Him.

Presenter: Jo Hill
Jo is part of the children's ministry team at EV Church, Central Coast, with a focus on seeing under 5's grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus.

In this seminar we'll explore how to use creativity intentionally - Play, music, movement and fun all have a place in the preschool classroom. Come and explore how to use them to help little ones engage with and understand big Bible truths and remember them well beyond your program.

Presenter: Penny Reeve
Penny is an award-winning children's book author including picture books, junior fiction, children’s Bible studies and young adult fiction. She has a background in teaching and children's ministry.

Anxiety, fear and grief. Courage, curiosity and hope.
Picture books offer unique opportunities for pastoral moments with children and their families. Whether it's sharing a story as a congregation, or knowing what to recommend when life gets tough, this seminar will equip you with strategies and ideas to harness the power of story and minister to the heart.