aboutinitiate.
Initiate is a leadership conference designed specifically for student and adult leaders serving in children's, junior high, senior high, and young adult ministry.
Our goal is to equip and encourage every leader through inspiring general sessions that explore leadership principles relevant across all ministry contexts. In addition, attendees can choose from focused breakout sessions tailored to their specific age group and ministry demographic, providing practical tools, fresh ideas, and meaningful encouragement for their unique area of ministry.
Date: November 6-7, 2026
Location: Kingston Gospel Temple
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dule.
friday.
6:00 PM REGISTRATION OPENS
6:45 PM DOORS OPEN
7:00 PM GENERAL SESSION 1
9:00PM LATE NIGHT LOUNGE
saturday.
8:30 AM DOORS OPEN
9:00 AM GENERAL SESSION 2
11:15 AM BREAKOUT (A)
12:15 PM LUNCH (ON-SITE)
1:15 PM BREAKOUT (B)
2:30 PM BREAKOUT (C)
3:30 PM DEBRIEF/BREAK
4:00 PM GENERAL SESSION 3
6:00 PM DEPARTURE
cancel 2 weeks or more before event: 25% fee of total amount.
cancel week of event: 50% fee of total amount.
cancel day of event: 75% fee of total amount.
refund/cancellation policy.
registration.
early rate
$75
deadline: october 2nd
late rate
$90
deadline: october 30th
saturday only
$65
deadline: october 30th
on-site tickets ($90) will be available but will not include saturday lunch.
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3 general sessions,
3 breakout sessions,
lunch & more.
cancel 2 weeks or more before event: 25% fee of total amount.
cancel week of event: 50% fee of total amount.
cancel day of event: 75% fee of total amount.
registration includes:
refund/cancellation policy:
ministry
guests.
breakout sessions.
BREAKOUT A | 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
fruitful leadership.
How to Know If You're Called
"Calling" is something we throw around very loosely at times, along with statements like, "everyone is called to ministry", which can create so much confusion surrounding this idea of calling. So, how does one know if they're called to ministry as a vocation?
Good Fruit From Healthy Source
Best practices for prioritizing your health: body, mind, spirt, as a leader.
Fruitful Foundations
Biblical foundations and literacy for a biblically illiterate generation.
A Fruitful Prayer Life
As leaders, we’re wired to take action and get things done, which can make prayer feel counterintuitive. Yet prayer isn’t passive, it’s essential to fruitful leadership. This breakout will explore how to cultivate a meaningful, sustainable prayer life and learn to depend on God rather than our own strength.
BREAKOUT B | 1:15 - 2:15 pm
fruitful ministries.
Being Fruitful in Children's Ministry by Putting Kids' Needs First
Children's Ministry Leaders
How can we respond to the unique needs of today’s children as they navigate anxiety, grief, trauma, and personal crises? Learn practical tools for creating church environments where children feel safe, connected, and able to experience God’s love.
Deep & Wide Jr. High Ministry
Jr. High Ministry Leaders
How deep to go with Jr. Highs in an effort to make deeply devoted followers of Jesus, while keeping the net wide enough to not lose students who are still on the fringes.
Fruitful Sr. High Ministry Beyond the Building
Sr. High Ministry Leaders
The church building is just one environment where discipleship and spiritual formation take place, but how do leaders effectively disciple students outside of the moments that take place in the church building, while still following their CYAPP?
Dealing with Difficult Topics Amongst YAs
Young Adult Ministry Leaders
With the rise of hot takes and everyone having an opinion on everything, how do we still handle, deal with and discuss some of the hotbed topics that many are avoiding altogether?
Counting Fruit, Not Just Leaves
Pastor/Main Leader Only
Shifting your evaluation metrics from raw attendance numbers to deep spiritual transformation. Talk about discipleship/spiritual formation metrics vs. numbers alone, deeper dive on what discipleship is and isn’t.
BREAKOUT C | 2:30 - 3:30 pm
fruitful ministries.
Fruitful Roots in Children's Ministry
Children's Ministry Leaders
How can we create children’s ministry teams with strong, healthy roots? Explore core
qualities that help children’s ministry leaders grow fruit that lasts.
Understanding the Jr. High Mind
Jr. High Ministry Leaders
Taking a look at some of the physical, psychological and adolescent changes happening in Jr. High students so that we can minister and serve these students better.
Fruitful Small Groups for Sr. Highs
Sr. High Ministry Leaders
What does it take to create and lead small groups that are effective and fruitful in fulfilling their intended purpose for Sr. Highs?
Fruitful Conflict Resolution for YAs
Young Adult Ministry Leaders
How do we effectively create space for healthy dialogue and lead YAs in resolving conflicts that arise out of these dialogues?
How High is Too High: Setting the Standard for Leaders
Pastor/Main Leader Only
How do we effectively lead and manage the leaders/volunteers we have while maintaining a level of consistency that promotes character, growth and being a leader worth following?
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thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
MATTHEW 7:20