Made to Connect
Seek the peace and prosperity of the city Pray to the Lord for it If it prospers You too will prosper
Jeremiah 29:7
Presented by:
Dallas / Fort Worth
Made to Connect
Our earliest relationships shape the way we see ourselves, others, and even God. They influence whether we trust, how we establish boundaries, how we respond to conflict, and whether we feel safe enough to ask for help when we need it.
For children who have experienced adversity, loss, or instability, these foundational relationships can profoundly impact emotional, social, and spiritual development. That’s why understanding the effects of childhood experiences is so important for those serving in ministry.
When church leaders and volunteers recognize the deeper needs behind behavior, they are better equipped to build meaningful connections, point children to the love of Christ, and help lay the foundation for healthy, life-giving relationships that extend into adulthood.
When children feel safe, they can connect in relationship, they become more open to receiving love, and their lives change. That belief is at the heart of Made to Connect.
Through our training, churches move beyond being simply trauma-aware to becoming trauma-informed and ultimately trauma-responsive. We help ministry leaders understand the powerful connection between childhood experiences, brain development, and a child’s ability to engage in relationships with God and others.
Participants learn how experiences shape behavior and gain practical tools for creating environments where every child and family feels seen, valued, and welcomed. In today’s world, a children’s ministry that understands childhood adversity and intentionally cultivates safe, nurturing spaces is no longer optional; it is essential for helping families encounter the hope and healing found in Jesus.
Join us at 10:00 am on Thursday, August 27, at The Grace Place in Arlington.
Goals and Objectives
- Create an understanding of how childhood experiences impact our brains and our ability to seek, form, and maintain relationships
- Increase empathy and compassion
- Decrease staff and volunteer turnover
- Create an environment where children feel safe, welcome, and loved
- Equip and support staff and volunteers to meet the needs of the kids they serve
- Create multi-generational discipleship and evangelism
- Increase desire to attend church
- Create an environment where kids can learn about Jesus
- Decrease in behavior problems
- Build a sustainable support system for adoptive, foster, and kinship families
Register
| Start | End | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM | Exhibitors / Coffee / Check-In |
| 10:00 AM | 10:30 AM | Welcome and Worship |
| 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | Made to Connect Content |
| 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM | Made to Connect Content |
| 2:30 PM | 2:45 PM | Break |
| 2:45 PM | 3:00 PM | Presenting Sponsor Interview |
| 3:00 PM | 4:00 PM | First Steps, Next Steps, Context |
| 4:00 PM | 4:30 PM | Q&A |
Our earliest relationships shape us. They influence whether we trust others, how we set boundaries, and even if we ask for help. That’s why it’s important to understand the impact of childhood experiences. By gaining this understanding, you can better connect with the children in your ministry, point them to Jesus, and set them up for healthy adult relationships.
- Create multi-generational discipleship and evangelism
- Increase desire to attend church
- Create an environment where kids can learn about Jesus
- Decrease in behavior problems
- Build a sustainable support system for adoptive, foster, and kinship families
- $50 per person
- $45 per person for groups of 5 or more
Testimonials
Ryan and Kayla’s compassionate and insightful approach showed how essential it is for churches to understand the impact of trauma and create spaces of safety, healing, and connection. They masterfully wove together biblical truths and evidence-based practices, equipping attendees with the tools to better support individuals and families. It goes without saying that trauma-informed churches will change the spiritual climate of the cities they are in. Every church should prioritize trauma training, and there’s no better place to start than with Ryan and Kayla’s incredible teaching.
Kate Schmidt
Ryan and Kayla are experts on Trauma-Informed Children’s Ministry. They are the best I know on this subject.
Jason Johnson
Ryan and Kayla North have an incredible model to train churches to make their spaces safe and effective for the most vulnerable in a community. I have researched the best trauma training for churches, organizations, and more offered, and I find Made to Connect to be the best. I brought them to my local community, and can say there has been a marked rise in individuals served through CarePortal attending local, trauma-informed churches who have created safe, welcoming spaces.
Courtney Ross
Ryan and Kayla bring a fresh perspective to Children’s Ministry by encouraging us to consider the whole child. With practical steps for application and relatable stories from real-life experiences, Made to Connect was one of the most enjoyable training events I have ever participated in. The perfect mixture of psychology, neuroscience, and theology helps those in attendance better understand the children in their ministries.
Jackie Overton
Location
Meet Ryan and Kayla
Ryan and Kayla North are a dynamic husband-and-wife duo who have dedicated their lives to strengthening families and equipping parents with the tools they need to create loving and thriving homes. Through their impactful work with One Big Happy Home and The Empowered Parent Podcast, Ryan and Kayla have become trusted voices in the realm of foster and adoptive parenting, as well as nurturing healthy family dynamics.
Their unwavering commitment to empowering parents and strengthening families has earned them a well-deserved reputation as leaders in the field of parenting and child development. Through conferences, workshops, online courses, articles, and personalized coaching, their transformative work continues to inspire and guide countless parents on their journey towards creating harmonious and thriving households. Their passion for adoption and foster care is deeply personal. They have six children, four of whom joined their family through adoption from the foster care system.
Ryan and Kayla founded One Big Happy Home as a platform to provide parents with valuable resources, guidance, and support as they navigate the journey of raising children. Through their articles, videos, and online community, they offer practical strategies and emotional support that empower parents to address trauma, behavior challenges, and attachment issues. Their approach is rooted in empathy, understanding, and evidence-based techniques, creating a space where parents can learn and grow together.
The Empowered Parent Podcast is a powerful extension of their mission to empower parents and caregivers. Each episode delves into relevant parenting topics, offering insights, expert interviews, and practical advice to help listeners navigate the challenges of parenting. Their warm and relatable on-air presence makes their podcast a go-to resource for parents seeking encouragement, wisdom, and actionable strategies.