Why attend?
Read what others are
saying.
"Engage provides a rich training opportunity to equip our whole church. Each year, our Kid’s, Student, and Adult leaders have gained skills, tools and encouragement to help them be more effective in ministry and evangelism. And it is always exciting to come together with other NWBC churches to worship, fellowship and know that we are not alone but all working together for a common mission"
Rebecca
Ken Braddy
Ken Braddy serves as Lifeway Christian Resources Director of Sunday School & Strategic Partnerships. He has authored 15 books on group ministry with a new one releasing June 2027, hosts the Disciplemaking in Community Podcast, blogs about group ministry weekly at kenbraddy.com, and speaks and trains at conferences around the country. He is married to Tammy, has two grown sons, two grandkids, and a two year-old Cavapoo puppy, Nellie. In his spare time, Ken likes to play golf, go thrifting, and work in the yard.
Leah King
Leah King is getting her Doctor of Education at Western Seminary with a focus in Biblical Sexuality and the local Church. She comes with 13 years of experience in ministry from working with kids, youth, and recovery ministries. She currently runs a nonprofit, Garden to Garden, that equips church leaders and parents as they navigate a sexually fluid culture.
Crystal Mazzuca
Crystal Mazzuca is the Kids Content Editor for Hyfi—a NextGen curriculum from Lifeway. Crystal is a graduate of Regent University with a Master’s in Christian Education Administration and has worked in NextGen ministry for over 25 years. She loves witnessing the power of the gospel in kids who grow into adults that genuinely love Jesus. In her free time, she loves to read (between 80 and 100 books every year—WILD!), spend time with her sons, eat good food, and play board games. Crystal resides in Olympia, WA with one of her three sons at home and her two cats. 
Gary Mink
Gary has been a Worship Pastor in the Northwest for 25 years. He just celebrated 22 years at Pathway Church and now leads and oversees Technical Arts for both Gresham and Sandy Campuses. He is involved every year with VBS / Pathway Kids Worship Teams. His passion is to see people refreshed and encouraged through music and praise.
Delanee Williams
Delanee Williams serves as a Kids Specialist with Lifeway Christian Resources. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Delanee has served in kids ministry for over thirty in churches in Texas, Tennessee, and Wyoming. Currently, she enjoys teaching preschoolers at her church in the Nashville area. Delanee is passionate about developing, equipping, and encouraging kids ministry leaders.
Schedule
Friday
September 18
2:30 pm Welcome/Registration
3:00 pm Pre-Conference Workshops - Evangelism
5:00 pm Dinner with friends
6:30 pm Welcome/Registration
7:00 pm General Session, Worship with Gary Mink
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The Great Commission, Ken Braddy
Saturday
September 19
8:00 am Welcome/Registration
8:30-9:15 am General Session, Worship with Gary Mink
Morning Affirmation, Lance Caddel
9:30–10:30 am Breakout #1
10:45-11:45 am Breakout #2
11:45-12:45 pm Lunch provided
1:00-2:00 pm Breakout #3
2:15 – 2:30pm Closing Session
Friday Pre-Conference Sessions
Discipleship Design
Delanee Williams
A wise discipleship plan doesn’t happen by accident. In this conference, kids ministry leaders will learn the importance of laying spiritual foundations for kids and teaching biblical truths in age-appropriate ways. Participants will also discover how a thoughtful discipleship plan creates consistency, provides clear direction, and helps churches intentionally guide children toward lifelong faith. As kids grow, their understanding of foundational truths grows with them, equipping leaders to disciple children at every stage of development.
Evangelism Workshop
Zac Minton
and Tim Walker
Sharing your faith can be fun and is definitely worth celebrating! Whether you need instruction, a refresher course, or just to be motivated by the enthusiasm of others come explore easy, practical and fun ways to share the gospel.
Speak Their Language:
How to Reach Gen Alpha
Crystal Mazzuca
Gen Alpha is growing up in a fast, digital, and question-filled world—one where traditional approaches to evangelism often miss them. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how Gen Alpha thinks, what questions they’re really asking, and how to teach the gospel with language that leads to connection and understanding. Through hands-on exercises and real-life practice, you’ll gain practical tools to communicate truth clearly, answer tough questions confidently, and create meaningful moments of first-time understanding. Whether you're a leader, volunteer, or parent, you'll leave equipped to make the gospel both accessible and compelling for the next generation.
Saturday Breakout Sessions
Ministry Directors
3 Steps to Developing a Strong Volunteer Team
Crystal Mazzuca
​Biblical Sexuality, Pastors and Ministry Directors
Leah King
​Disciples Path: A New Free Tool for Creating Your Church’s Discipleship Pathway
Ken Braddy
Pastors
Running the Course of Ministry Well, Parts 1 and 2
Tim Howe
Evangelism
4 Steps to Forgiveness
Tim Walker
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Ai Essentials
Zac Minton
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Engage Your Community, Outreach Methodologies
Gary Irby
Adult Discipleship
From Appreciation to Care: Developing a Culture of Care for Your Pastor
Tim Howe
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Ken’s 10 – Top Tips for Leading High-Engagement Adult Bible Study Groups
Ken Braddy
Men's Ministry Think Tank
Gary Floyd
Prayer Room Open for Personal Time
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Sacred Spaces – Devoting Time to God, Others, and Me
Ken Braddy
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Women's Ministry Idea Share
Nancy Hall
NEXTGEN MINISTRY
YOUTH/STUDENT DISCIPLESHIP
Youth Discipleship, Parts 1 and 2
Josh Goss
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Biblical Sexuality, Communicating with Youth
Leah King
NEXTGEN MINISTRY
College/Young Adult Discipleship
Stages of Spiritual Development
NCM
NEXTGEN MINISTRY
Kids/Preschool Discipleship
Biblical Sexuality, Communicating with Kids
Leah King
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Caring for the Anxious Generation
Abby Spence
Caring Well: Responding to Children with Suicidal Thoughts
Abby Spence
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Discussions as Kids Discipleship
Crystal Mazzuca
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Essentials for Teaching Kids
Rebecca Oosterhout
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Making Every Minute Count with Preschoolers
Delanee Williams
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Preschoolers Explore God's Creation
Cheryle Douglas
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Thought Igniting Prayer for Preschoolers
Delanee Williams
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Preschool Learning Centers, Model Room Open for Tours
Hotel & Travel Information
Hotels: Please use your favorite travel website to get the best rates on lodging. These are close to Pathway Church.
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Comfort Inn, 1000 NW Graham Road, Portland, OR 97060
Courtyard by Marriott, 2811 NE 181st Ave, Portland, OR 97230
Best Western, 23525 Ne Halsey Street, Troutdale/Wood Village, OR 
Holiday Inn Express, 477 NW Phoenix Drive Troutdale, OR 97060