Lead Next 2025 – Kansas City
Join other children’s and youth ministry leaders in the Kansas City area to explore how biblical stories form a faith that endures.
September 18-20, 2025
Location: Old Mission United Methodist Church · Fairway, Kansas
You’re shaping the faith of a generation—and that’s sacred work.
Lead Next: Kansas City is a regional gathering designed for those who lead and support children’s and youth ministry. Together, we’ll explore how to engage the Bible with depth and imagination, and how Scripture can shape lasting spiritual formation in the lives of kids and teens.
Whether you’re a full-time ministry professional, a part-time staff member, or a dedicated volunteer, this conference offers practical tools, theological grounding, and encouragement from peers who understand your context.
Scripture is more than content—it’s formational.
Through keynote sessions with Rev. Dr. Erin Reed Cooper and Rev. Dr. Nelson Cowan, we’ll consider what it means to teach the Bible in ways that awaken curiosity, form discipleship, and connect young people to God’s story.
You’ll gain a framework for biblical literacy that connects worship, formation, and leadership—for kids, youth, and those who lead them.
This event is designed for children’s and youth ministry staff and volunteers, pastors serving multigenerational congregations, camp staff and directors, students or leaders discerning a call to ministry, and denominational leaders working to strengthen next gen ministry. You’ll be surrounded by like-minded leaders from across UMC, PC(USA), ELCA, DOC, UCC, and beyond.
Erin (she/her) is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (DoC) and has been serving in family ministry roles in DoC, PC(USA) and UMC congregations for over 20 years, from rural Indiana to Atlanta GA. Erin has four children and lives in Richmond VA with some of those children and her wife, Emily. Erin earned her MDIV from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis and her DEdMin from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta.
Nelson Cowan is the director of the Center for Worship and the Arts at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. A worship leader, liturgical theologian, and ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, he also teaches worship and church history at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Drew Theological School, and Wesley Theological Seminary. Nelson is married to Samantha, an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church.
Conference Schedule Snapshot
Thursday, Sept. 18
1:00 PM – Registration & Opening Devotion
2:15 PM – Keynote 1 with Rev. Dr. Erin Reed Cooper
Breakouts, Workshops, Dinner, and Evening Sessions
Friday, Sept. 19
Morning Devotion + Keynote 2 with Rev. Dr. Nelson Cowan
Full day of workshops and lunch included
Optional evening dinner & cohort conversation
Saturday, Sept. 20 (Optional)
9:00 AM–12:00 PM – Introduction to the New Testament
with Rev. Dr. Phil Meckley
Introduction to the New Testament with Rev. Dr. Phil Meckley
Saturday, Sept. 20 · 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
This in-depth session with our certificate cohort is free for all conference attendees. Choose to opt in at registration.
Registration is just $85 and includes all keynote sessions, workshops, two meals, and access to Saturday’s optional biblical studies session—at no additional cost. Whether you’re serving full-time, part-time, or discerning your next step, this conference offers high-impact training at an accessible price.
September 18-20, 2025
$85
Reach out to Matt Vaughan, Sr. Director of Leadership Formation at matt@ministryleadership.org.
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