The LCMS Northwest District will host a “compact” one-day conference on Church Planting and Gospel Outreach Through Child Development Ministry May 16 at the Clarion Hotel Airport in Portland, Ore.
The conference is sponsored by the Open Arms Institute, an LCMS Recognized Service Organization that has helped Lutherans start more than 60 child care centers nationwide since 1989. Its purpose is “to foster and guide Lutheran church planting and Gospel outreach with child care ministry.”
The conference is designed to introduce participants to the Open Arms child care concept and provide step-by-step guidance on starting such a ministry. It is open to anyone with an interest in starting a Lutheran child care center — either in conjunction with an existing congregation or to start a new congregation.
Topics to be covered include doing demographics and feasibility studies, acquiring financing, purchasing a site, building a facility, hiring staff, setting up a program, and reaching out to the community.
Registration, which includes most meals, is $205 for Open Arms members, or $295 for non-members, by May 1; after that date, registration is $280 for members and $370 for non-members. A fourth registrant from the same ministry is free. Scholarship help is available.
For more information or to register, click here or contact the institute at (970) 667-3249 or openarmsinstitute@msn.com.
Posted March 11, 2009
