Community Builder

Karen DeBoer

Church: 
The Journey CRC in Kitchener, ON
Website: 
https://www.crcna.org/FaithFormation
About Me: 

I work as the Creative Resource Developer for Faith Formation Ministries of the CRCNA from my home in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. Working from home may sound like I work alone, but most days are anything but quiet as I’m participating in video conversations with individuals or groups who are engaged in ministry. Those kinds of interactions are what make the job so energizing!

I’ve been involved in children’s ministry since I was a child myself and I’m so thankful for the ways children have nurtured and continue to nurture my faith. I think it’s that kind of cross-generational faith nurture that led to my interest in intergenerational ministry. I love it when different generations gather in worship, in service, and to learn from and with each other.  And studies show how important it is for God’s family to do together!

 

Over the years I’ve worked as part of a team to shape the children’s ministry curricula Kid Connection and Dwell, published by Faith Alive Resources. I’m also the author of the Home Grown Handbook for Christian Parenting and a contributing author/editor for the family devotionals You're Invited and God's Big Story cards.

 

My family and I attend The Journey church where you’re most likely to find me sitting on the floor asking wondering questions with a group of 4 year olds.

 

Interests: 

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  • Hi Mary, 

    I know David Csinos, have attended workshops led by Ivy Beckwith and have found their book Children's Ministry in the Way of Jesus to be a very helpful resource. Although I'm not...

    posted on: Has Anyone Used "Telling God's Story" Curriculum?

  • Thank you for sharing what's happening in your church, Natalie. Those are wonderful ideas!
    posted on: Knock Knock, Communion Calling

  • Thanks for sharing what you learned at the conference, Ron. Thanks also for the reminder to all of us to brighten our eyes and welcome the teens and young adults in our midst this Christmas,...

    posted on: 1,000,000 or a Name

  • Hi Angela,

    I'm going from Faith Formation Ministries and we are hoping we will be able to send at least one other team member as well.

    The Regional Gatherings happen over a dinner (...

    posted on: Every Reformed Ministry Leader Would be Blessed by Attending this Conference

  • When our children were preschoolers we loved using Little Visits for Toddlers by Mary Manz Simon. And I'm hearing great things about Snuggle Time Prayers and Snuggle Time Psalms by Glenys Nellist...

    posted on: Family Devotional?

  • Thank you for sharing your idea as well as this hope-filled reminder, Shannon. 
    posted on: Hope for Graduates

  • Hi Jay, 

    Have you explored the Building Blocks of Faith as a ministry evaluation tool? It was developed by Bob and Laura Keeley in 2014 and ministry leaders who use it have found it to be...

    posted on: Ministry Evaluation Tool?

  • Great question, Sarah. Some of the ideas I shared are free (the Story Prompts, the list of questions from the Storytelling Toolkit and the Faith5 devotional method) and most of them could be...

    posted on: 8 Ideas to Try With Intergenerational Small Groups

  • What a beautiful example of how one generation can call to the next. Thanks so much for sharing it, Staci! 
    posted on: Malachi and the Power of Passion Over Pronunciation

  • Hi Rachel,

    I do hear that a lot! And I know from experience how frustrating it can be to have to remind folks that children are worth the one hour of prep time it takes to tell God’s story...

    posted on: Sunday School Curriculum?