SUNZ offers leadership development, camps and community programmes to help churches connect with young New Zealanders. SUPAkidz after-school clubs and week-long camps bring primary school children action, games and craft based around exploring the Bible together. Our Children’s Ministry Consultants provide resources, mentoring and training for churches and children and family workers across Aotearoa, New Zealand. Each year a series of ‘WAY2GO’ day-long children’s ministry conferences held around the country bring inspirational teaching, exposure to current thinking on children’s ministry and practical workshops filled with tips for children’s ministry.

We are at the forefront of research into children’s ministry in New Zealand, conducting and publishing an inter-denominational survey every two years. Recognising the drop-off in church attendance by young people, SUNZ developed ‘You’re Losing Us’, an interactive workshop to help churches build life-long faith in their young people. Key strategies for churches to make faith formation more effective for young people are introduced, and activities and guided small group discussion identify areas of greatest challenge and start to set priorities for each church.

Our Children and Families Team also facilitate the nation-wide Children’s Ministry Network which provides access to training, events and network opportunities across the denominations.