Fostering Children’s Faith Formation

Thrive is deepening its ministry to families and children by coming alongside parents, caregivers, and children’s ministry leaders. With a continued focus on lifelong faith, Thrive is equipping and encouraging church members who play a vital role in helping the next generation grow in their relationship with God, both at home and in the church. 

Central to this ministry is the formation of Thrive’s Children’s Ministry Leader Network, a new advisory board designed to empower and resource congregational leaders who serve in children’s ministry. This group is composed of 12 leaders from across the denomination, including two from each of the CRCNA’s geographic regions. 

These leaders will advise Thrive and learn from one another as they help to ensure that resources serve the diverse needs of CRC churches across the U.S. and Canada. The initial phase of recruitment began in 2024, with a small group gathering in November. Over the winter months the network continued to grow and held its first official meeting online in April 2025.

Plans are in place for the group to meet regularly online and to convene in person this fall. Thrive staff will use these gatherings to provide updates on resource development, seek feedback, and hear from ministry leaders about the realities they face in nurturing faith in children. In time, the network will also serve as a pilot community for new resources aimed at equipping parents and caregivers in at-home faith formation. 

“We’re excited about the possibilities this advisory network brings,” said Jill Benson, curriculum developer for Thrive. “Children’s ministry leaders are on the front lines of supporting parents in faith formation. Their insights and experiences are essential as we seek to develop and refine tools that will help parents and caregivers disciple their children both at church and at home.” 

Thrive’s work in this area is grounded in a deep belief that faith formation is a lifelong journey, shaped by the Holy Spirit and nurtured through Christian community. This understanding is reflected in Thrive’s ongoing efforts to equip both church-based leaders and at-home caregivers with practical, spiritually rich tools. 

Among the latest tools is a refreshed resource titled Spiritual Characteristics of Children, Teens, and Young Adults: A Guide for Ministry Leaders, Parents, and Caregivers. Designed to help churches and families better understand and nurture the faith of young people, this resource highlights developmental stages and spiritual needs across a range of age groups, offering practical suggestions for how caregivers and church leaders can engage youth in meaningful spiritual growth. 

To broaden its accessibility, Thrive has also translated this resource into Spanish and Korean, recognizing the growing linguistic diversity within the CRCNA. Similarly, translations into Spanish and Korean are in place for Thrive’s weekly Faith Formation Tips, a series of bite-sized, actionable ideas inviting parents and ministry leaders to engage in a range of topics from mealtime devotions to the church calendar to intergenerational worship. 

“These translations reflect our desire to come alongside every family and church in the CRC,” noted Rick Zomer, Thrive’s faith formation consultant. “We want every caregiver and ministry leader, regardless of their primary language, to feel supported in their calling to nurture faith in children.” 

At the heart of each of these initiatives is Thrive’s mission to equip and encourage congregations. As Thrive continues to gather feedback from both parents and ministry leaders, their goal is to create tools and support systems that reflect the lived experiences of families in the CRCNA. 

“Faith is formed in community,” emphasized Zomer, “and every caregiver and church leader plays a vital role in helping children discover God’s love and truth.”