The Volunteer Code Months ago, churches across the world made the difficult decision to shut their doors to limit the spread of COVID-19. Now, after several months, having adjusted to working from home, attending church online and navigating all things Zoom, Google Hangouts and Facebook Live events, it’s time for some to begin thinking about re-entry. Experience has shown that the church experience has changed and how volunteers have served is changing too. The question being asked now is, “How in the world do we come back strong during this strange time in history?” Ryan will be giving advice and practical ways on how to support the amazing volunteers and have a breakthrough like never before.

Ryan Frank is a pastor, publisher, and entrepreneur. He serves as CEO of KidzMatter, co-founder of KidzMatter Mega-Con, and CEO of Frank Insurance Agency. Ryan and his wife, Beth, run several businesses and love to travel and spend time with their three daughters.

PARTNERING WITH PARENTS Due to the national lockdowns, most parents have had no choice but to become more involved than ever before in their child’s learning. The pandemic saw many parents juggling careers while simultaneously monitoring their child’s learning from home. If anything, good came out of those long months of disruption, it’s that both teachers/volunteers and parents had the opportunity to appreciate more fully the importance of the parental involvement in a child’s learning. Jim will provide practical tools and offer advise.

Jim Burns is the president of HomeWord. He speaks to thousands of people around the world each year. He has close to 2 million resources in print in 20 languages. He primarily writes and speaks on the values of HomeWord, which are: Strong Marriages, Confident Parents, Empowered Kids, and Healthy Leaders. Some of his most popular books are: Confident Parenting, The Purity Code, Creating an Intimate Marriage, Closer, and Doing Life With Your Adult Children. Jim and his wife, Cathy, live in Southern California and have three grown daughters, Christy, Rebecca, and Heidi; two sons-in-law, Steve and Matt; and three grandchildren, James, Charlotte and Huxley. Based on his background and years of experience as a Youth and Children’s ministry trainer.

Karen Urhoma – Conference Host. The CEO of Manthano Children Ministry Training. She has being working with children and teenagers for over 24 years, as a youth leader and then a children’s leaders. With an Early years professional Status, she has managed a nursery, run a holiday and after school club which has given her insight into the best practices on early childhood education and development. As a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator and Safeguarding Children, Young People or Vulnerable Adults Instructor, she trains parents, teachers, volunteers and other professional working with children. She loves storytelling and puppetry. Together with her husband host a YouTube Channel ‘Parents and Teachers Working Together’.