Sept 24-25, 2026

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HOLY

MOMENT

God at work.

In the culture,
He is redeeming.

In the church,
He is reviving.

In our children,
He is reaching.

In our lives,
He is renewing.

This is a Holy Moment.

Looking for the
Online Experience?

Stay on this page for the details!

Register NOW

*In-person tickets sold out. 

Register for the Online Experience!

Have an In-Person
Nashville Ticket?

Find the details on the Nashville page!

Nashville Page

*In-person tickets sold out. 

Register for the Online Experience!

Child Discipleship Forum 2026

Don’t miss this chance to connect, grow, and step into the holy moment God is writing in your ministry.

  • Growing Biblical Literacy
  • Empowering Volunteers
  • Ministering to Children with Trauma & Anxiety
  • Navigating AI & Tech
  • Forming Lasting Faith in Children
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CDF Watch Party
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CDF '26 Online Experience

Join us for an immersive experience; it’s so much more than a livestream! Your registration includes:

  • Pre-event kickoff with interviews, giveaways & games
  • Worship & “Story and Song”
  • All keynote speakers + exclusive Q&A’s
  • Expert panels & interactive chats
  • Backstage & lobby interviews
  • PDF workbook

Register for the CDF '26 Online Experience

Sept. 24 & 25, 2026

REGISTER YOUR TEAM

*Nashville in-person tickets sold out

2026 Child Discipleship Forum Speakers

Orthodox Biblical Views for Living in an Unorthodox World

Picture of George Barna

George Barna

Researcher, Author, Cultural Analyst

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Picture of Jay Kim

Jay Kim

Pastor, Author, Cultural Theologian

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Picture of Kristyn Getty

Kristyn Getty

Author, Grammy Nominated Singer-Songwriter

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Picture of John Stonestreet

John Stonestreet

President - Colson Center, Cultural Commentator

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Picture of Nancy Pearcey

Nancy Pearcey

Author, Professor, Christian Apologist

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Picture of Trip Lee

Trip Lee

Artist, Author, Pastor

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Picture of Darren Whitehead

Darren Whitehead

Pastor, Author, Cultural Analyst

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Picture of Robby Gallaty

Robby Gallaty

Pastor, Author, Founder of Replicate.org

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Picture of Dee Dee Mayer

Dee Dee Mayer

University Chaplain at Pepperdine, Sr. Director of RelateStrong

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Picture of Josh Mulvihill

Josh Mulvihill

Exec. Dir. of Church & Family Ministry at Renewanation, Author

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Picture of Clare Morrell

Clare Morrell

Technology Fellow - Ethics & Public Policy Center, Author

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Picture of Alanzo Paul

Alanzo Paul

Scholar, Youth Apologetics

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Picture of Jenny Smith

Jenny Smith

Lead Developer Brite Curriculum, Author

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Picture of Sam Luce

Sam Luce

Author, Pastor, Director of ChildDiscipleship.com

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Picture of Tony Shepherd

Tony Shepherd

Pastor, Church Leadership Coach

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Picture of Mike Handler

Mike Handler

Chief Innovation & Communications Officer, Awana

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Picture of Matt Markins

Matt Markins

CEO of Awana, Author, Child Discipleship Researcher

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Online Hosts

Picture of Shawna Murlin

Shawna Murlin

Lead Developer Awana Clubs

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Picture of Tim Sandvall

Tim Sandvall

VP, US Field Operations Awana

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Picture of Jenny Smith

Jenny Smith

Lead Developer Brite Curriculum

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Online Expert Panel

Picture of Santosh Swamidass

Santosh Swamidass

Pastor, Founder of Launching Ground & Launch Network

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Picture of Catherine Hwang-Jin

Catherine Hwang-Jin

Pastor of Kids Ministry
at Mariners Church

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Picture of Sam Luce

Sam Luce

Author, Pastor, Director of ChildDiscipleship.com

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Online

Team
$399
$ 349
  • ONLINE
REGISTER
Rate Available Through 05/15
Discount

Online

Individual
$349
$ 299
  • ONLINE
REGISTER
Rate Available Through 05/15
Discount

In Person

Nashville
Sold Out
  • NASHVILLE
Register for the Online Experience
SOLD OUT

CDF has given me vision and practical direction for how we can move beyond surface-level engagement and really invest in shaping the hearts, minds, and faith of the next generation.

– Jaime, North Carolina

HOLY MOMENT

Every moment with your kids has the potential to be a holy moment, an opportunity to point them to Jesus and watch Him move in their lives.

I really loved the online experience: the team, the interviews, the extra info...it made me feel connected.
– Wanda, KS
Over the last five years, I’ve grown with CDF—year by year being stretched, challenged, and encouraged to go deeper.
– Jaime, NC
CDF has helped us to see more clearly that we are part of a discipleship process, not simply a teaching process.
– Josh, NJ
CDF truly changed the trajectory of how our Kids Ministry disciples kids, trains team members, and partners with parents.
Lukas, FL
CDF has been so impactful to myself and my team. Every year is a masterclass of speakers.
– Nicole, ND

CDF '26 Online Experience Schedule

*Please see the Nashville Page for the in-person schedule.

ALL TIMES LISTED BELOW ARE CENTRAL TIME ZONE.

This ONLINE schedule is Approximate and all times are Subject To Change.

Thursday, Sept. 24
8:00 a.m. — Pre-Event Kickoff

8:30 a.m. — Session 1

10:30 a.m. — Session 2

12:00 p.m. — Lunch Break

12:30 p.m. –– Bonus Broadcast

1:30 p.m. — Session 3

3:00 p.m. — Session 4

5:00 p.m. — Day 1 Ends

Friday, Sept. 25
8:00 a.m. — Pre-Event Kickoff

8:30 a.m. — Session 5

10:30 a.m. — Session 6

12:00 p.m. — Lunch Break 

12:30 p.m. –– Bonus Broadcast

1:30 p.m. — Session 7

3:30 p.m. — Wrap Up & 2027 Ticket Giveaway

This ONLINE schedule is Approximate and all times are Subject To Change.

*Please see the Nashville Page for the in-person schedule.

FAQs

  • Children’s ministry leaders, staff & volunteers
  • NextGen ministers & family ministers
  • Youth leaders 
  • Senior pastors & executive pastors
  • Discipleship leaders
  • Anyone committed to intentional child discipleship

With an online teams ticket, anyone from your church can watch together at one location. 

The online individual ticket is intended for only the individual that is registered. 

If you’re gathering all your campuses at one location, you can purchase just one online teams ticket. 

If you’re gathering campuses at multiple locations, you will need to purchase an online ticket for each location.

CDF Online is a live, immersive experience designed for interactive participation. Chats, giveaways and questions are only part of the live, online experience.

You will have the opportunity to rewatch the continuous (unsegmented) CDF Online for 30 days after the event.

Start your registration here!

Email us at forum@awana.org

Online

Team
$399
$ 349
  • ONLINE
REGISTER
Rate Available Through 05/15
Discount

Online

Individual
$349
$ 299
  • ONLINE
REGISTER
Rate Available Through 05/15
Discount

In Person

Nashville
Sold Out
  • NASHVILLE
Register for the Online Experience
SOLD OUT

George Barna

Researcher, Author, Cultural Analyst

George is a Professor at Arizona Christian University and Director of Research at its Cultural Research Center, focusing on worldview. Additionally he is Sr. Research Fellow at Family Research Council Center for Biblical Worldview. George founded The Barna Group (which he sold in 2009), conducted 1,000 surveys which involved 1,000,000 interviews, and has over 60 books. He and his wife live on the central California coast and in Phoenix.

Jay Kim

Pastor, Author, Cultural Theologian

Jay serves as lead pastor at WestGate, a three campus church in the Silicon Valley area of California. He’s the author of The Pace of Peace, Analog Christian, Analog Church, and Listen Listen Speak. Jay frequently has nationally published articles and he hosts the Digital Examen podcast. Jay has his home in Silicon Valley with his wife and their two young children.

Kristyn Getty

Author, Speaker, Singer-Songwriter

Kristyn, a GRAMMY-nominated artist, hymn-writer, and speaker, has also written the children’s books, Pippa and the Singing Tree, We Sing!, and Joni Eareckson Tada: The Girl Who Learned to Follow God in a Wheelchair. She has recorded the complete audio of the ESV Bible and is the co-writer of Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church. Kristyn lives between Nashville and Ireland with her husband and daughters.

John Stonestreet

Cultural Commentator, Author

John is president of the Colson Center and a speaker and author on faith and culture, theology, worldview, education and apologetics. He is the voice of Breakpoint, a radio program/podcast commentary on the culture founded by the late Chuck Colson. He has co-authored five books including A Practical Guide to Culture and Restoring All Things. John and his wife have four children and live in Colorado Springs.

Nancy Pearcey

Author, Professor, Christian Apologist

Nancy is a former agnostic, hailed as “America’s pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual.” Her work has appeared in many outlets including The Washington Post, The Washington Times and she has appeared on NPR, C-SPAN, and Fox & Friends. She is a best selling author, apologetics professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University, and a fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. Nancy and her husband have two adult sons.

Trip Lee

Artist, Author, Pastor

Trip is a renowned artist, author and speaker who has made a lasting impact on the world. With a unique blend of lyrical prowess and profound insights, Trip captivates audiences with his music, books, and motivational messages. From his early days releasing mixtapes to becoming an artist and pastor, Trip has consistently pushed boundaries creatively and challenged listeners to live out their faith boldly. Trip lives in Georgia with his wife and children.

Darren Whitehead

Pastor, Author, Cultural Analyst

Originally from Australia, Darren is founder and lead pastor of Church of the City, now with 4 campuses across the Nashville metro area. He earned his Doctorate from Capital Seminary and Graduate School and his books include, The Digital Fast, Rumors of God (co-author Jon Tyson) and Holy Roar (co-author Chris Tomlin). Darren, his wife, and their three daughters live in Franklin, Tennessee.

Robby Gallaty

Pastor, Author, Speaker

Robby is senior pastor of Long Hollow, a thriving church in Hendersonville, just north of Nashville. He is author of several books including Wait/Hear: Recapturing the Lost Art of Hearing God’s Voice, Movement-Ready Church, and Replicate. Radically saved from a life of drug addiction, Robby founded Replicate.org to empower churches to activate real-time disciple-making movements. Robby, his wife and their two sons live in the Nashville metro area.

Dee Dee Mayer

Author, Social Worker, Speaker

Dee Dee serves as the University Chaplain at Pepperdine University and is passionate about Jesus, His Church, and helping leaders build strong, healthy relationships that sustain both life and ministry. She holds a doctor of ministry from Azusa Pacific University and is a licensed clinical social worker. Dee Dee loves BIG family meals at their home in California with her husband, their three adult daughters, and their growing family.

Josh Mulvihill

Author, Speaker, Pastor

Josh is Executive Director of Church and Family Ministry at Renewanation, which exists to help children develop a biblical worldview. He was a pastor for nearly 20 years, has a PhD in family ministry, and serves as Awana Board Chairman. He has author/co-author many books including 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home, Biblical Worldview, Biblical Grand-parenting. Josh, his wife, and five kids live on a farm in Minnesota.

Clare Morrell

Technology Fellow, Author

Clare is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), where she directs the Technology and Human Flourishing Project. Previously she worked in the White House Counsel’s Office and the Department of Justice, as well as the private and non-profit sectors. Clare has written, The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones. Clare lives with her husband and three children in Washington, D.C.

Alonzo Paul

Scholar, Youth Apologist

Alanzo is a speaker and tutor at the the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA) and the Director of Reboot, OCCA’s youth apologetics initiative. He has theological degrees from the University of Oxford and the University of Toronto and is currently in doctoral studies at the University of Oxford. He is passionate about helping young people think through the big questions of life. Alanzo and his wife live in Oxford, England.

Jenny Smith

Jenny Smith serves as the Lead Brite Developer for Awana. She previously served in children’s ministry for 20 years in the local church and has served ministry leaders through writing, coaching, and speaking. Jenny lives in Bradenton, Florida with her three girls and loves traveling, reading, and eating ice cream.

Sam Luce

Author, Pastor, Speaker

Sam is the Director of ChildDiscipleship.com for Awana and a familiar and active voice in children’s ministry for over 25 years. He has co-written From Children’s Ministry to Child Discipleship, Forming Faith and How to Teach Kids Theology. He holds dual master’s degrees from Knox Theological Seminary and is a doctoral candidate at Western Theological Seminary. Sam, his wife and their four children live in upstate NY.

Tony Shepherd

Tony lives in Nashville with his wife, Jolene, and their six children: David, Stephen, Lydia, Mark, Noelle, and Moriah. Before transitioning into pastoral ministry, Tony produced Christian hip-hop artists such as Lecrae and Shai Linne. In 2013, he and his family were called to Virginia, where he served as a church-planting pastor until returning to Tennessee in 2022. He now serves as an Assistant Pastor to the wonderful saints of Immanuel Nashville.

Mike Handler

CDF Architect & Co-Founder

Mike serves as the Chief Innovation & Communications Officer for Awana. Previously, he served as a pastor and church planter as well as the principal of a creative agency. Mike is the co-author of award-winning Forming Faith and Resilient as well as the co-founder of the Child Discipleship Forum. Mike, his wife, and their four kids feel blessed to have relocated to Franklin, Tennessee from the Chicago area, but they miss Chicago food and sports.

Matt Markins

Author, Child Discipleship Researcher

Matt serves as the President and CEO of Awana, a global leader in child discipleship. Matt has commissioned 14 research projects and authored or co-authored eight books including, The Story We Tell Our Children, RESILIENT, and most notably Forming Faith, winner of a 2025 Christian Book Award. He’s also the co-founder of the Child Discipleship Forum and D6 Conference. Matt, his wife Katie, two sons and daughter-in-law all live in Nashville.

Shawna Murlin

Lead Developer, Awana Clubs

Shawna Murlin is passionate about equipping leaders and parents to disciple kids with a lasting faith and serves as the Awana Clubs Lead Developer. She is saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) and thankful that in His steadfast love, God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Tim Sandvall

Tim Sandvall’s greatest joy is training leaders to become disciplemakers and seeing children and youth grow in their knowledge, love and service for God. In addition to serving as a missionary to Southern California, he oversees missionaries across the US as the VP of US Field Operations for Awana. Tim loves hanging out with his wife and children and cheering on the San Diego Padres.

Santosh Swamidass

As the son of Indian immigrants who dedicated their lives to living on mission, Santosh’s upbringing greatly influenced his commitment to sharing the hope and love of Jesus around the world. After receiving a degree in Computer Engineering and becoming an Olympic hopeful in the High Jump, Santosh accumulated 10 years of experience working in the Aerospace industry while expanding his missions outreach in South East Asia. Both locally and globally, he has over 25 years of ministry experience ranging from teaching the Word of God, planting churches, developing leaders, and building nonprofits. All these experiences have contributed to the formation of Project Based Discipleship, LaunchingGround.com and other discipleship programs for schools, churches, and families through the Launch Collaborative. Santosh and his wife, Christy, are immersed in the adventure of preparing their 7 kids to live in the love of Christ and fullness of their God-given calling!

Catherine Hwang-Jin

Catherine is an experienced, relational and passionate leader serving from small Asian-American church plants to big mega churches. She is currently the Pastor of Kids Ministry at Mariners Church in sunny Southern California. Additionally, Catherine serves on the board at Awana. 

Her 20+ years of ministry started at a young age serving in Kids Ministry, then she got her B.S. in Biology then received her M.A. in Christian Education from Talbot Seminary, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She loves to travel the world, write, train & speak to help raise up unicorn Kids Ministry leaders and help them shine! You can probably catch her dancing to Kpop music, eating yummy food with her total opposite hubby Steve, and their 3 pampered girls and tiny dog Mookie Betts (#gododgers).