CPC Orlando

I just got back from the 2008 Children's Pastors Conference in Orlando, FL. As always, it was a great week of workshops, inspiring messages, and just getting to connect with some great friends. Here are a few photos from the week...

One Way Street exhibited at CPC once again, but this year we had a completely new design for our booths. Here is our marketing director, KJ Schmidt, going though part of the map with our good friend Bertha Grauman. Bertha just pitched in and helped, she's so awesome!

Here's KJ and Kristi with the finished booth. You can't see the whole thing, but it turned out really well!

Aunt Patsy from Jamaica is a good friend of One Way Street's who was at CPC this year. Patsy used to come to our Children's Ministry University years ago. She is quite a character, to say the least. She had a whole crew from Jamaica at the conference this year.

And while we're on the subject of old friends, let me tell you I just about got an arm rod across the face when these two turned around and spotted each other. This is Jeff Smith, founder of the dowel rod ministry technique and Gayle Elmore, she was the host of our Montgomery, AL Puppet Ministry Festival for many years. These two met at one of those festivals many years ago. Needless to say it had been awhile since they had seen each and they were quite excited.

If you are involved in children's ministry in any way shape or form you should consider it required reading to check out Jim Wideman's books. It's been my pleasure to get to know Jim over the years through our puppet ministry festivals. Jim and his daughter Yancy (not Nancy) were both at CPC, and I must admit I went to three of Jim's workshops this year...even some I'd been to before...he's that good!

Know how to impress your kids? Get your picture taken with the Go Fish guys!

Here's Dale VonSeggen and I with Karl Bastian, the brains behind Kidology. If you're not on Kidology...well get with the times man! It's a great place for children's ministry folks to share ideas. I'm excited to be a part of the staff for the Kidology conference in October, and glad to have Karl joining the crew at our Chicago area puppet festival next month.

My favorite speaker of the week was Wes Stafford from Compassion International.

Everyone loves the Stretch-a-Belly puppets!

Doug and Lee Nearpass are regulars at many One Way Street festivals. It was great to see them at CPC this year!