CMUO Learners

So who are some of the CMUO learners? What types of people are being equipped as children’s ministry leaders through CMUO? Read below to learn about a few of our learners.

I have been doing children’s ministries for about 20 years or so and I have finally decided to get some credentials. So here I am enrolled in courses to accomplish that goal. I am excited to get going on my studies and am excited to get to know all of you! – Marlene P., Amherst Junction, WI USA

I attended VFCC last year. I am still living on campus because my awesome husband Chris is still a student. He is majoring under Pastoral Ministries. We have been married for a little over two months (June 18th). My major was Early Childhood Education, but God had another direction for me. I have always had the passion to be a Children’s Pastor. When I heard about CMUO I applied right away. I am a wife who works full time as a teacher for School-aged children. I was the teacher for the three’s, but my position has changed. I know what the ministry is like because I have grown up in it my whole life (PK). I am so excited about starting my new classes. This is just what I needed so I could keep doing what God has called me to do and still work. Thanks again!   - Megan C., Phoenixville, PA USA

When I heard about CMUO, it was and answer of my prayer, so I´m so happy to be part of this wonderful project.  Thank you. – William A., Dallas, TX USA

I thank God for CMUO!!! – Doug C., IL USA

I felt God’s call on my life during my senior year of high school, but my parents said we couldn’t afford Bible college, so I studied elementary education at  Shippensburg University instead.  I lived at home and paid for my college with my waitress salary.  I  just retired from teaching in the public schools.  I had 20 years in.  I have been working as a Junior Church leader for over 16 years.  Last spring my pastor asked me to consider coming on as part time staff at our church.  I accepted!  The church is going to pay for me to get my certificate in Christian Education for starters and I will continue my education as the Lord leads.  Only God knows what is next.  For now, I get to stay home (I do most of my church work from home.) to raise children and I still get to teach at my church.  God’s ways are awesome!!…I believe this class is an answer to my prayers!  I started my new job on August 1, 2005. . . the same day CMUO started!  I spent a week at Penn Del Kid’s Kamp where Dick and his family ministered.  I enjoyed meeting him and experiencing his ministry.  I’m excited to be one of his students! – Kathy H., Mercersburg, PA USA

I’m very excited to be taking these courses.  I’ve always felt called to work with children.  I thought that was being a teacher.  I received my BA in Elem. Education from Northwest College in WA.  I taught for 3 years and then relocated to Grants Pass, OR to be closer to my sister.  I was offered a position as the Director of Education at Sylvan Learning Center.  I’ve been doing that for 3 years now.  But…that’s not where my heart is.  This year has been difficult for me, and I didn’t know why.  I thought maybe God wanted me to go back into the classroom,  but no doors were opened.  Then I went to summer camp this year.  I was the activities director.  The speaker that came was awesome.  I knew after that week that God wanted to be a children’s pastor.  So here I am. I’m excited to see what God is going to do. – Jolene C., Grants Pass, OR USA

I have been homeschooling my kids and doing day care on the side.  I am the children’s director at our church and used to think myself quite odd until I recently found out there are MANY others who, like myself, get excited over little things like VBS and kids’ clubs, talking to people about parenting strategies, etc.  I love it and am very grateful to have a wonderfully supportive husband and church strongly encouraging me with this new undertaking!! - Terri R., Rensselaer, NY USA

I live in Western MA and I am currently the children’s church coordinator at Christian Assembly Church. I have a BA in mathematics and a Masters in Education. I am a high school math teacher by trade but have come home recently to raise my two beautiful daughters. I am truly looking forward to completing these courses with all of you. – Shannon W., Pittsfield, MA USA

While I’ve only been in full time ministry for almost a year, I’ve been involved in children’s ministry since the age of 15. I’m 41, and retired from the U.S. Coast Guard after 20 years of active duty military service. Since I was young I felt called to children’s ministry and God has used me in many different parts of the country at different churches while I served in the Coast Guard. As I approached my 20 years of service in the USCG the Lord opened the doors at the church I was attending to serve as their Interim Director of Children’s Ministry. After a period of time of serving and then retiring from the Coast Guard the position was changed to a full time pastoral position. I continue to serve in this position and continue to learn each day.

I’ve been looking for some time for some good children’s ministry education which is totally online. I want to learn more about what chiildren’s pastors are using today and what God’s Word tells us about ministering to children. I’m glad that I’ve found CMUO and excited about the opportunity to learn in this environment. This will give me the opportunity to apply what I learn in a real life ministry environment. I took several online courses previously and am excited about using this learning environment again. – Mark W., Bradenton, FL USA

I am a lay Children’s Minister at a small church in Orlando, focusing on leading Children’s Church. I work full-time as Youth Services Librarian at a public library. Currently I periodically write devotions on assignment, in the past two CM books and some articles. I have a Masters in Religious Education and a Masters in Library and Information Science. I started in CM at age 14…nearly 38 years ago. – Kay W., Casselberry, FL USA

I am a full time children’s pastor here at Sitka Assembly of God for the last 7 years. I am excited about this program for children’s pastors since most of my experience has come from "on the job training" and mentoring from other children’s pastors. – Pam H., Sitka, AK USA

I am the mother of a 3 & 5 year old, I drive a county school bus, and I am the Children’s Minister for our church. – Christy S., Collinsville, MS USA

I work full-time and love being able to further my education online. I believe CMUO is a great way to do that. – Megan C., Phoenixville, PA USA

I lead Kid’s Church at Light House Church A/G in McHenry, IL. We are a brand new church plant that currently meets in a movie theater. After being involved in various children’s programs in my previous church I felt like God was calling me to children’s ministry full-time. That was last March. By May I was asked to lead Kid’s Church and oversee the nursery. Just recently my class schedule fell apart for the community college I was attending because they didn’t receive a transcript on time. I was very upset, thinking that I wouldn’t be getting any schooling this semester and that I would fall a semester behind, then I saw CMUO on Kidology.org and looked into it. I got accepted just in time to sign up for this class (unfortunately my lateness means that I still don’t have any books! Ahhh!). I’m excited about all the great stuff I’m going to learn and start applying because of this class! – Allison P., McHenry, IL USA

I’m excited about CMUO because even though I studied Mass Comm at Texas Tech & Southwest Missouri State, I never finished. I took a break to go full time as CP and I was just never able to pick anything back up. This will be a great opportunity to get further education and still do what God has called me to do. – Tony S., Valley Center, KS USA

I work part time at Evangel Temple in Ohio as the children’s ministries director. I’m also an assistant manager for a medical transcription department. This (CMUO) is the perfect way to pursue a calling to full time ministry and fit it into the small – VERY small – gaps in my tight schedule. I’m attaching a picture of my kids, my husband and myself. I’m looking forward to seeing what God has in store! – Kelly N., Westerville, OH USA

I am the Children’s Pastor at Bethel Church in Medford, OR. I retired from public education (which is a ministry itself) after 40 years, the first 20 as a teacher and the last 20 as an elementary school principal. It is a privilege for me now to use my experience and skills serving the Lord I love full time. – Lois R., Medford, OR USA

This course is an answer to my prayers.I am presently serving as the team leader for 7-12 year old Sunday School Classes at Word Of Faith Love Center in East Point, GA. I teach the 10-12 year old class. I have been inspired by PG for years through articles (Heart Matters) in the Children’s Ministry Magazine. This is my first on-line course and I am becoming computer literate as we speak. I have a teenage daughter who answers my "what’s this symbol for?" questions. – Judy P., East Point, GA USA

I have been the full time "Children’s Ministry Equipper" (Children’s Pastor) here at Center Grove Presbyterian Church for 5 years now. I love my job and have learned so much over the past five years but am thrilled to get some formal training in children’s ministries. - Amy H., Highlands Ranch, CO USA

I currently work for UPS and I am on staff at my church. I have been in children’s ministry for 3 years and I have been on church staff for a year. I have really felt the Lord calling me to be in a season of training. I am excited to start these classes so I can be a better equipper to children. – Joe T., Rock Island, IL USA

I have been a part-time children’s director for the last 6 years, but involved with kids ministry for 14 years. I live in Iowa with my husband and we have a 4 year old son. God’s timing is always perfect and He has made these classes available to me at just the right time in my life. – Brandia B., Des Moines, IA USA

I have been involved in some type of ministry my whole life and have been heavily involved in children’s ministry for about 10 years. I am excited to start these classes so I can proceed into full time ministry. – Tim O., Cedar, MN USA

I’m 22 years old and I’m actually married to the children’s pastor in my church. I went to Evangel University for two years, but after meeting my husband I moved closer to him, having to transfer to a local state university. It did not go well. I searched for way too long (spending too much $$$) and decided I need to be focused on what I want to do when I actually finish school: work along side my husand. So I’m excited to learn all that I can in this class, for me and for the benefit of our ministry. – Sara D., Moorhead, MN USA

I have been involved as a volunteer at various levels of leadership in children’s ministry for the past 15 years or so. In my other life I am an IT consultant so I love this ‘online learning thing’!!!! – Heidi F., Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Canada

I work in a Network Operations Center, right now. I make sure the Internet is working. I say "right now" because over the last month or two, God has been poking my (and wifes) heart about walking in our calling. I’ve been helping with Children’s Ministry for probably 8 to 10 years and currently we are the primary leaders for the Children’s Church at our church now. – Paul B., Coudersport, PA USA

Almost 2 years ago, my wife & I began as children’s ministers at what was then a brand new church. Let me add, we had absolutely no experience, but FINALLY decided to answer the call to minister to children. We began with 2 (1 was ours), and now run around 20. We still function as volunteers, so I also work as a maintenance technician at a local manufacturer. Bible school has always been next to impossible with my work schedule. I’m thankful that I found CMUO!! – Jeff K., Falkville, AL USA

I have been involved with youth and children’s ministries at our church for about 13 years. I have been the Children’s Director for about five years after working with the youth for about eight years. I am very excited that the Lord has called me into this ministry. I was working in retail, but have lost my job recently and feel that this is a great time to continue on the journey that God has placed me on. – Mary Ann F., Dover, NJ USA

During the week I am a full time five year old Kindergarten teacher at Woodfields Elementary School. I have 23 great kids in my class and I love them all very much. I am also the part-time Kids Church director at my church, Grace Community Church. I have almost two hundred kids that God lets me minister to each week. I LOVE IT! I got saved when I was 8 and when I was 13 I really felt God calling me into some kind of full time ministry, but I didn’t know exactly what or where. It wasn’t up until my last year of highschool that I began to fully know and see exactly where God was taking me ministry wise, but I knew that it had something to do with kids. I’ve run the whole gammit from camp counselor to being a summer children’s worker and all the while God has blessed and given me such joy while doing it. I know that right now I teach school for a living, but I know that one day in God’s good timing He will open the door for a full time Children’s Pastor job. So I’m taking the plunge to gain more knowledge about ministry to better myself and to be ready when the time comes. – Steve G., Greenwood, SC USA