Child Discipleship Forum 2024

Thought Leadership for Children's Ministry Leaders

Nashville (SOLD OUT) • Online (STILL AVAILABLE)
Sept. 19 & 20, 2024

Register Now

Hear from experts on biblically discipling kids through the issues they’re facing in today’s culture

•Reawakening a love for Biblical orthodoxy in a culture of compromise

•Bringing a Biblical understanding of gender and sexuality to children living in an “anything goes” world

•Navigating the epidemic of loneliness that is isolating children and families in our churches

•The porn pandemic and how it forms the identities and expectations of girls

•Cultural apologetics and making room for tough questions even among the youngest of us

•Gaining perspective as to how technology is malforming the youngest of hearts and minds

• Plus much more on how discipleship provides the power to CHANGE lives and TRANSFORM the world

What to Expect

  • Everyone will learn from 16 keynote speakers
  • Nashville attendees will experience 4 engaging worship times led by Travis Cottrell
  • In-person leaders get 4 roundtable discussions, breaks, and lunches with like-minded ministry leaders
  • Enjoy a free hot lunch in Nashville along with coffee, water, and snacks each day
  • Form new connections with kidmin leaders and teams from around the world
  • Online attendees will get 2 pre-events, bonus interviews, expert panel roundtables, & behind the scenes segments
  • All attendees will have time to reflect, plan, and respond to a host of new information and research
  • Everyone returns to work with a renewed passion for biblical child discipleship
CLICK HERE to Register

2024 Speakers: Orthodox Biblical Views for Living in an Unorthodox World

Mark Sayers

Pastor & Author

Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin

Author & Speaker

Sean McDowell

Apologist & Professor

Blair Linne

Author & Speaker

Trevin Wax

VP of Research and Resource Development at NAMB

Sandra McCracken

Prolific Songwriter
Modern-day Hymn Writer
and Record Producer

George Barna

Researcher & Professor

Glenn Packiam

Pastor & Author

Stephen Maphosah

Executive Vice President
International

Justin Whitmel Earley

Author & Speaker

Diane Comer

Founder
Intentional Parents International

Jay Kim

Pastor & Author

Elizabeth Mitchell

Ministry Leader

Sean Sweet

Community Director at FourFiveSix

Rachelle Starr

Scarlet Hope Founder & President

Matt Markins

Awana President & CEO and CDF Co-Founder

Mike Handler

Mike Handler - CDF Co-Founder & Architect

Tony Shepherd

CDF Host

Travis Cottrell

CDF Worship Leader

Nashville is SOLD OUT for 2024 but Online Registration is Still Available

With CDF Online Registration...you will experience the Child Discipleship Forum...not just watch it.

Online registrations are available for you or your entire team with bonus interviews, chat with other attendees, round table discussions with an expert panel of children's ministry leaders, and insider looks from your live online hosting crew. (15 people dedicated to your online bonus content)

Joining us virtually is a unique and engaging experience. With Nashville sold out...Give Online a Try!

REGISTER HERE TODAY

Learn How to Successfully Shepherd Your Kids in Living Out Biblical Truth

We curate CDF voices to help you lead and disciple your next generation to form lasting faith in Jesus. We have planned two full days of unique and inspiring experiences. It's a combination you won't find at any other conference.

1 / 6

Worship with Travis Cottrell

Having lead literally millions in worship over the last 20 years, Travis and his worship team will bring the CDF Nashville community to place of corporate and personal worship that many of us miss on a weekly basis while leading our ministry to kids & youth.

Learn From Biblically Sound Leaders

Hear from 16 experts on: the effects of technology on childhood anxiety, a love for biblical orthodoxy in a culture of compromise, answering tough questions with apologetics and more.

Engage & Process with Other Leaders

Participate in 4 roundtable discussions along with breaks, provided lunches, and even open evenings with your fellow children’s ministry leaders. Reflect, plan and respond to a host of new information and research. Return home with a renewed passion for biblical child discipleship.

A Unique Experience

CDF isn’t a typical conference. There aren't any breakout sessions or an exhibit hall. You don't have to move from room-to-room. It's learning from main stage speakers and occasional times to process, challenge and encourage one another.

Welcome Party & Check-in

Before CDF begins, get early check-In and meet new friends between 4:30 - 6:30 PM on Wednesday at the Welcome Party. It's at the Factory outdoor pavilion where you can eat delicious Nashville BBQ appetizers, make memories at the photo station, play games, and win giveaways – the grand prize is a year's subscription to Brite Weekend Curriculum!

Stories & Songs Session

Day one will end with a artist session by prolific singer-songwriter and modern-day hymn writer, Sandra McCracken. Her stories & powerful songs promise to be a highlight of your CDF experience..

CDF 24 Schedule

ALL TIMES LISTED BELOW ARE CENTRAL TIME ZONE.

The Online Broadcast also has an additional 2-hour delay stream.

This schedule is approximate and all times are subject to change.


Wednesday, Sept. 18
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. — 🎉 CDF Welcome Party & Check-in! 🎉
The Shed outdoor pavilion (back parking lot)
The Factory, 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin TN, 37064.

 

Thursday, Sept. 19
7:30 a.m. — Church opens for Check-in, Community, & Coffee

8:00 a.m. — Worship Center Doors Open

8:00 a.m. — Online Pre-Event Broadcast Begins

8:30 a.m. — Session 1

10:40 a.m. — Session 2

12:20 p.m. — Lunch (Included in Nashville Registration)

1:30 p.m. — Session 3

4:00 p.m. — Session 4

5:30 p.m. — Day 1 Ends

 

Friday, Sept. 20
7:30 a.m. — Church opens for Community & Coffee

8:00 a.m. — Worship Center Doors Open

8:00 a.m. — Online Pre-Event Broadcast Begins

8:30 a.m. — Session 5

11:00 a.m. — Session 6

12:30 p.m. — Lunch (Included in Nashville Registration)

1:45 p.m. — Session 7

3:30 p.m. — CDF Day 2 Ends

3:30 p.m. — Online Wrap Up Show

Why should you come to the 2024 Child Discipleship Forum?

There is no better place to engage in timely topics relevant to the development of a culture of discipleship for our children. But don't just take our word for it. Read what PAST ATTENDEES say about their CDF experience.

1 / 4

Kellie - Dallas

“This conference was thought-provoking. The depth of the content helps lay a foundation for why we minister to children and families, how to truly disciple people and form a solid strategy for the Church to reach the next generation.”

Mark - Nashville

“It’s really an eye-opener. It allows us to grasp the urgency of child discipleship and leads us to the next steps of “What are we doing with discipleship?” Because if we’re not, something else will.”

Richard - San Diego

"Absolutely life-changing. I’ve gone from feeling hopeless in the light of our current culture to feeling encouraged and empowered. I’ve already made it a priority to spend time with our children’s ministry team to explore how we can be doing better at discipling whole families.”

Alex - St. Louis

“CDF made it even more clear how much our children’s ministry has got to step it up right now. Time is of the essence to reach these students and families.”

Event Details

  • September 19 & 20, 2024

  • Rolling Hills Community Church

  • 1810 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064

You're Invited to the CDF Welcome Party!

🎉🎉🎉 Come hangout at the CDF Welcome Party & Check-in at the Factory on Wednesday Afternoon! 🎉🎉🎉

Eat delicious Nashville BBQ appetizers, make memories at the photo station, play games and win giveaways – the grand prize is year's subscription to Brite Weekend Curriculum. It’s going to be a blast! Plus, we’ll check you in for CDF, so you can show up on Thursday morning ready to go. 💯

Time: 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 18
Location: The Shed outdoor pavilion (back parking lot)
The Factory, 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064

P.S. Have you been to the Factory recently? They’ve added tons of amazing shops and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to eat dinner and find gifts for your volunteers and families. See you there!

Explore the Factory

Plan Your Trip

Nashville is widely known as Music City – and for good reason. Nashville, TN is the hometown of country music and the birthplace of bluegrass, with roots in R&B, and a thriving pop and rock scene. Plus it's the base where most Contemporary Christian, Gospel, and Worship music are distributed from.

The city offers exciting experiences for all ages and interests. Visitors come from all over the world to listen to live music, see the famous recording studios on Music Row, try Nashville’s famous hot chicken or simply plan a fun vacation in the city.

20 min south of downtown Nashville you will find Franklin TN, the home to CDF. Franklin's historic downtown has one-of-a-kind shops and locally owned restaurants that make a wonderful place to stretch your legs. The historic Factory is also a tourist favorite and has recently expanded its number of restaurants and shops. Plus the Cool Springs area is where you will find hotels, a limitless number of restaurants, and almost any kind of store you might need.

Hotel Accommodations

The Child Discipleship Forum will be held at Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, TN. There are a wide variety of hotels and home rentals in the Franklin area. You may find the most choices in the Cool Springs area.

FAQs

Past CDF Talks Worth Watching

CDF 2022
Matt Markins
We're Using Old Maps
View

Free

CDF 2022
Rebecca McLaughlin
Things the Church Must Reclaim
View

Free

CDF 2022
Sam Luce
The Job of a Children's Pastor
View

Free

CDF 2022
Carl Trueman
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self
View

Free

About Awana

The Child Discipleship Forum has been organized by Awana. From its roots in mid-week children's ministry, Awana has become a leader in global child and youth discipleship, providing curriculum and leader equipping in 135 countries. Awana partners with ministries like Compassion International, World Vision, and numerous denominations in over 78,000 churches, engaging more than 6.4 million children and students weekly.