19 Feb 2026, 15:22Lorraine McDonald, BUC Education Director
When Every Child Belongs, the Church Flourishes
“I want my child to feel valued.”
“My child struggles to fit into church services.”
“How can I adapt Pathfinders or the Sabbath School lesson for children with additional needs?”
“Who will support children with special needs at VBS or Summer School?”
These are not isolated questions. They reflect the heartfelt concerns of parents and carers within our churches. Education does not only take place in schools; it happens in every area of church life.
As an Education Leader, I hear these voices often. Recent feedback from church officers’ training events in the South England Conference and North England Conference, along with conversations with Sophia Nicholls, CEO of the Adventist Special Needs Association (ASNA), confirm what many already sense: the need is growing, and many leaders feel under-equipped.
Families living with disabilities and additional needs continue to share their church experiences. Their stories affirm the need to review our educational practices and church environments to ensure that the gospel is truly accessible to all.
Creating Places of Belonging
In response, the British Union Conference (BUC) Education Department, in partnership with ASNA, BUC Possibilities, Children’s and Family Ministries, and UCY (United Children and Youth), is hosting the ‘Let Them Flourish’ Training Conference, taking place 17–19 April 2026.
This first-of-its-kind conference has been prayerfully designed to equip pastors, department leaders, children’s ministries educators, and church members with practical strategies to create church environments where every child and family truly belongs.
This is not a theoretical event. It offers hands-on, real-world support for the ministries we already run and the children we already serve.
What the Training Conference Will Offer
• Practical workshops led by experienced practitioners
• Collaborative spaces to share ideas and best practice
• Accredited workshop modules with recognition beyond the church setting
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for pastors
• BSL interpreters supporting plenary sessions and workshops (where possible)
Participants will leave better equipped, more confident, and inspired to make meaningful and lasting change in their local churches.
An Invitation to Every Local Church
We strongly encourage every local church across the BUC to sponsor at least two department leaders involved in children’s and youth ministries – such as Pathfinders, Junior Sabbath School, Teens/Youth, Children’s and Family Ministries, Possibilities, Education, or Community Services – to attend alongside their pastor.
When leaders learn together, change is more likely to be embedded, shared, and sustained.
Please prayerfully discuss attendance with your pastor and church board. This conference is an opportunity not only to learn, but to help shape the future culture of our churches.
Let Them Flourish Marketplace
A dedicated marketplace area will feature exhibitors and ministry partners. If you represent a ministry or service that could support this conference, please contact Lorraine McDonald at lmcdonald@adventist.uk for more information.
Why This Matters
Our prayer is that Let Them Flourish 2026 will mark the beginning of ongoing national training initiatives focused on Creating Places of Belonging. We seek to equip and support church leaders and members so that every child and young person is valued, supported, and able to thrive.
“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13).
This promise is for all of God’s children.
Take the Next Step
Bookings are now open, and places are limited:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/let-them-flourish-tickets-1983307528206?aff=oddtdtcreator
Early-bird pricing ends 16 March, so early booking is encouraged.
![Let Them Flourish Poster 4[46]](https://images.hopesoftware.org/resize/L3c6MTkyMCxxOjc1L2hvcGUtaW1hZ2VzLzY1ZThlY2EyZDk5ODhiMTkwNzY5M2Y2Yy9QNG0xNzcxNTE0NTAzODM4LmpwZWc/w:1920,q:75/hope-images/65e8eca2d9988b1907693f6c/P4m1771514503838.jpeg)
“I want my child to feel valued.”
“My child struggles to fit into church services.”
“How can I adapt Pathfinders or the Sabbath School lesson for children with additional needs?”
“Who will support children with special needs at VBS or Summer School?”
These are not isolated questions. They reflect the heartfelt concerns of parents and carers within our churches. Education does not only take place in schools; it happens in every area of church life.
As an Education Leader, I hear these voices often. Recent feedback from church officers’ training events in the South England Conference and North England Conference, along with conversations with Sophia Nicholls, CEO of the Adventist Special Needs Association (ASNA), confirm what many already sense: the need is growing, and many leaders feel under-equipped.
Families living with disabilities and additional needs continue to share their church experiences. Their stories affirm the need to review our educational practices and church environments to ensure that the gospel is truly accessible to all.
Creating Places of Belonging
In response, the British Union Conference (BUC) Education Department, in partnership with ASNA, BUC Possibilities, Children’s and Family Ministries, and UCY (United Children and Youth), is hosting the ‘Let Them Flourish’ Training Conference, taking place 17–19 April 2026.
This first-of-its-kind conference has been prayerfully designed to equip pastors, department leaders, children’s ministries educators, and church members with practical strategies to create church environments where every child and family truly belongs.
This is not a theoretical event. It offers hands-on, real-world support for the ministries we already run and the children we already serve.
What the Training Conference Will Offer
• Practical workshops led by experienced practitioners
• Collaborative spaces to share ideas and best practice
• Accredited workshop modules with recognition beyond the church setting
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for pastors
• BSL interpreters supporting plenary sessions and workshops (where possible)
Participants will leave better equipped, more confident, and inspired to make meaningful and lasting change in their local churches.
An Invitation to Every Local Church
We strongly encourage every local church across the BUC to sponsor at least two department leaders involved in children’s and youth ministries – such as Pathfinders, Junior Sabbath School, Teens/Youth, Children’s and Family Ministries, Possibilities, Education, or Community Services – to attend alongside their pastor.
When leaders learn together, change is more likely to be embedded, shared, and sustained.
Please prayerfully discuss attendance with your pastor and church board. This conference is an opportunity not only to learn, but to help shape the future culture of our churches.
Let Them Flourish Marketplace
A dedicated marketplace area will feature exhibitors and ministry partners. If you represent a ministry or service that could support this conference, please contact Lorraine McDonald at lmcdonald@adventist.uk for more information.
Why This Matters
Our prayer is that Let Them Flourish 2026 will mark the beginning of ongoing national training initiatives focused on Creating Places of Belonging. We seek to equip and support church leaders and members so that every child and young person is valued, supported, and able to thrive.
“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13).
This promise is for all of God’s children.
Take the Next Step
Bookings are now open, and places are limited:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/let-them-flourish-tickets-1983307528206?aff=oddtdtcreator
Early-bird pricing ends 16 March, so early booking is encouraged.
