Integrating worship, theology, and the arts for the renewal of church and culture
Like you, we are Passionate About the Spiritual Development of Children
To develop children’s holistic engagement within the worship and spiritual life of the Christian community.
vision
To gather diverse ministry leaders, artists, congregations, and families to create and test arts-based children’s resources which foster nine formative practices for intergenerational worship.
Mission
Our mission & vision
- What is often called “worship” with children should be created with theological understanding. Worship is about and for God…and God alone.
- Children are often isolated from the worship life of the church. Even when present in worship, children are not often invited to participate as leaders of worship.
- There is a need for worship resources for use in home and children’s ministry worship.
- Spiritual formation themes are usually thought to be for adults only, when in fact they can create a substantive set of theological principles for worship with all ages.
- The arts are often a window to the soul for worship expression. Arts provide conduits of touch, taste, sound, movement, hearing, and seeing that can direct both mind and heart in formative ways toward God.
Vision often begins with observed need, and so it is for Imagining Worship with Kids.
How it all began
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As a family ministry coach and consultant, Trevecca Okholm has dedicated over 40 years to children and family ministry in Presbyterian and Anglican churches, also teaching practical theology for a decade. Her passion centers on the role of parents and grandparents in faith formation and fostering intergenerational connections within the church.
Board Member
TREVECCA OKHOLM
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Ed Willmington is the Grant Director of Imagining Worship with Kids (a Lilly Endowment grant focused on nurturing children through intergenerational worship). As a Professor of Worship Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary's Brehm Center, he teaches and mentors students - bringing many decades of experience as a worship pastor and musical composer.
Grant Director
ED WILLMINGTON
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As Director of Children and Family Ministries, Britta Wallbaum leads at First Presbyterian Church in Aurora, IL, and is also the Executive Director of Word & Wonder Creative, a nonprofit focused on family worship resources. With a background in Christian Formation/Ministry and Architecture, she's passionate about integrating worship, stories, and art.
board member
BRITTA WALLBAUM
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As InterGenerate Team Chair, Valerie M. Grissom is an ordained PCUSA Minister with over two decades of experience as a worship leader and pastor, specializing in intergenerational and intercultural worship. She is also the editor of All Ages Becoming: Intergenerational Practice in the Formation of God's People.
Board Member
VALERIE GRISSOM
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As Director of Worship at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church, Heather Kaemingk has over two decades of experience shaping faith through worship rhythms across various church contexts. Holding degrees in Church Music and Worship and Music, she is passionate about planning and leading theologically rich and formative worship experiences.
Board Member
HEATHER KAEMINGK
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As InterGenerate Team Chair, Valerie M. Grissom is an ordained PCUSA Minister with over two decades of experience as a worship leader and pastor, specializing in intergenerational and intercultural worship. She is also the editor of All Ages Becoming: Intergenerational Practice in the Formation of God's People.
Board Member + Executive Director for Fuller’s Brehm Center
SHANNON SIGLER
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As the Coordinator of Children's Choirs at Lake Avenue Church, Wendy Walsh-Canas brings 14 years of experience teaching music across Los Angeles to her role. She holds a Bachelor's in Vocal Performance and Music Education and a Master's in Music Education, with studies in curriculum-based learning for Christian Music Education.
Coordinator of Children’s Choirs at Lake Avenue Church
WENDY WALSH-CANAS
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As Grant Program Director, Grace Lee helps oversee the Lilly Endowment project "Imagining Worship with Kids," drawing on over 15 years of administrative and 20 years of educational experience. She is passionate about children's spiritual and creative growth, holding degrees in Spiritual Formation and Psychology.
Grant Program Director
GRACE LEE
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As a Lutheran pastor, scholar, and musician - Clay Schmit has held diverse roles including parish pastor, academic director, and seminary president. Now, in semi-retirement, he is a founding member of Emmanuel Lutheran Global Seminary and continues as a composer and choral conductor.
Lutheran pastor, scholar, and musician
Clay Schmit
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As Music Teacher at Campbell Christian School, Bora Im brings extensive experience in piano, composition, and music education from the University of North Texas and Berklee College of Music. She also holds a Master's in Worship and Music Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Music Teacher at Campbell Christian School
BORA IM
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As a contemporary painter, Jill Daniels is celebrated for her profound artistic expressions to tell stories through solitary pieces of furniture. An Art Center College of Design alumna, her works are exhibited globally and she is also an accomplished Art Director in animation, with two Primetime Emmy Awards for painting.
Contemporary Painter
Jill daniels
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As a Richard Mouw Fellow and PhD student in Clinical Psychology, Oladipo "Dipo" Adedeji is a licensed pastoral counselor focusing on mental health missions with children and adolescents. He also passionately leads worship at Lake Avenue Church and produces Christian Hip Hop and Soul music.
Richard Mouw Fellow + PhD student in Clinical Psychology
OLADIPO S. ADEDEJI
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As a concert pianist and composer - Dr. Duane Funderburk holds advanced degrees in piano performance and collaborative keyboard arts from Boston University and the University of Southern California. He is a prolific composer and arranger of sacred music and serves as Director of Instrumental Music at Lake Avenue Church.
Composer
DUANE FUNDERBURK
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Amanda Doherty is a brand strategist, designer, and founder of Amanda Doherty Press—a boutique agency that helps mission-driven businesses and organizations expand their digital presence through storytelling, strategy, website development, and design.
brand Strategist & Web Designer
AMANDA DOHERTY
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As a music educator, concert coordinator, and pianist - Jenny Jee-El Park is highly active in serving at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church and previously as an adjunct professor at Vanguard University. A prizewinning Manhattan School of Music alumna, she has performed internationally, including a Carnegie Hall debut.
Music educator, concert coordinator, pianist
JENNY PARK
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As an associate organist/choirmaster at All Saints Episcopal Church, Dr. Grace Chung is an accomplished pianist and organist with degrees from La Sierra University, Manhattan School of Music, and USC. She performs globally and has published compositions.
Musical performer, writer, and composer
GRACE CHUNG
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As co-lead pastor of Epicentre West LA, Kathryn holds a BA in piano performance and an MDiv from Fuller Seminary with a focus on Worship, Theology, and the Arts. She is passionate about discipling God's people and seeing the church live in God's presence and mission.
Storybook author/pastor
KATHRYN CHENG
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Chris is a recording, mixing and mastering engineer based in San Diego. He has recorded score music for films Just Mercy, The Glass Castle, Shang Chi, and many others. He records artists, choirs, and orchestras all over southern California, and has been working with Dr. Ed Willmington since 2016.
Sound engineer
CHRIS HOBSON
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As a choreographer, author, and educator - Marlita Hill founded the Kingdom Artist Institute, serving an international audience at the intersection of faith, art, and entrepreneurship. A Lecturer at CSU San Bernardino, her choreography has been presented at venues like the Kennedy Center.
Choreographer, author, and educator
MARLITA HILL
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With a background in church and choral music, Lyndell Leatherman composes, arranges, and engraves music for various publishers, churches, and choral groups under Leatherman Music Services. He is passionate about creating excellent and meaningful worship resources.
Editor/Engraver
LYNDELL LEATHERMAN
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Rev. Dr. Jason Brian Santos is an ordained PC(USA) Minister with a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. An author of A Community Called Taizé, he also designed board games for organizations like the PC(USA) Office of Christian Formation and Imagining Worship with Kids.
Theologian, pastor, board game designer
JASON BRIAN SANTOS
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As a professional artist, Ruth Korch creates work published in various formats primarily utilizing watercolor and calligraphy. Passionate about making creative expression accessible, she teaches classes and workshops and leads art journaling trips to Europe.
Artist
RUTH KORCH
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As a Choir Director for the Rise and Shine Children's Choir at Calvary Chapel Chinese Fellowship, Emily Luo helps young voices develop skill and spirit. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from USC, where she also studied conducting and jazz, and is passionate about nurturing others through music.
Choir director, musician
EMILY LUO
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As a pastor, songwriter, and educator - Stan Spottswood has over 35 years in ministry, training individuals in discipleship. He currently directs choirs at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School and serves as Discipleship Pastor at Journey’s Crossing Church.
Pastor, musician, worship leader
STAN SPOTTSWOOD
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As an illustrator and arts educator - Becky Joy Aiken focuses on children's illustration, portraiture, and craft experiences. She holds an MFA in Illustration and teaches art at Northwest University, also collaborating with symphonies to create illustrations and craft designs for family concerts.
Illustrator and arts educator
BECKY JOY AIKEN
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As a music teacher, Valerie "Val" Loskota is a dedicated music educator specializing in early-elementary grades and supporting students with special needs. A UCLA alumna, she passionately creates uplifting children's music, particularly worship songs.
Music teacher
VALERIE LOSKOTA
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As a professional artist - Aeron Brown creates murals, music, and paintings. He also travels nationally as a guest minister, combining worship and live painting to draw people into encounters with God.
Artist
AERON BROWN
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As Executive Pastor at Epicentre Church, Simeon Sham holds an M.Div. in Worship Music Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary and previously served as a Worship Pastor. He is a passionate songwriter and musician, committed to fostering intergenerational worship and equipping the church through creative expression.
Pastor, songwriter, musician
SIMEON SHAM
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As a theologian and writer - Cortney holds degrees in Theology and Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary and has extensive ministry experience. She is passionate about exploring faith and culture, connecting with God through contemplation, reading, and writing.
theologian and writer
CORTNEY HEERWALD
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As Executive Director of Music Across Borders, Dr. James Melton also conducts the Coastal California Chorale, which has performed at venues like the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall to raise awareness for the persecuted church. He brings over 45 years of leadership experience from colleges and seminaries with extensive international touring and conducting credits.
Executive Director
JAMES MELTON
At the heart of our mission, we are blessed to have a diverse group of individuals with valuable backgrounds in the creative arts, children’s ministry, spiritual formation, and more. With our varied expertise and shared passion, our team has created enriching resources for the spiritual growth of the next generation.
The people behind the vision
Frequently asked questions
Through Lilly Foundation grant initiative, our team has been given a gift of funding to bring our experience and passions together for the purpose of imagining and creating arts-based resources centered around nine spiritual practices for the purpose of nurturing children’s faith and developing intergenerational connections.
What is Imagining Worship With Kids?
This project is designed for all generations to engage in faith practices together! For families in daily life at home, for pastors/church staff creating opportunities for generations to learn and grow together. Also designed for intergenerational community groups, homeschool groups, any places and opportunities we have for growing faith together.
Who is this project designed for?
We’ve included practices around worship, prayer, wisdom, humility, hospitality, celebration, as well as practices specifically relevant to the unique felt needs of the current generation of young people, that includes the practice of belonging as well as the ancient/future practices of examen and shalom.
What are the 9 spiritual practices?
Because our team is made up of various denominations, we all must keep in mind activities around these practices that are common across the wide spectrum of Christianity.
Is this program denominationally specific?
Go to our website and click on link to join our email list! As resources are developed you will receive notifications. Please spread the word in your network!
How can I get involved or support the project?
Partnerships & Affiliations
