20/04/2026
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
April 9th - 11th, 2026, our mission in Kishasha, Democratic Republic of Congo hosted the first-ever leadership conference in Central Africa, organized by the International Children’s Ministry. The historic event was held under the leadership of Reverend Joy Rivas and brought together church leaders, children’s ministers, and delegates from various French-speaking nations across Africa.
Among the key leaders present at the conference were the General Presbyter for Africa, Bishop James Kolawole; the International Children’s Ministry Director, Reverend Joy Rivas; Dr. Jonathan Olavarria and his son, Adrian Olavarria (AJ); Pastor Peter Ehigiator; Pastor Setin Aubed; Bishop Jean Calvin Nguene III; and several other church leaders and ministers.
The conference attracted delegates from Congo Brazzaville, including their National Bishop, Bishop Mukendi Bitchy, who attended alongside his wife. Participants also came from neighboring French-speaking countries, making the gathering a truly regional event.
The host of the conference was Bishop Francois Mbengayi, the National Bishop of DR Congo. He played a significant role in the planning and coordination of the conference. Bishop Mbengayi facilitated travel arrangements for delegates arriving from the United States, coordinated airport pickups, arranged transportation between hotels and the conference venue, and ensured that all participants were well taken care of throughout their stay in Kinshasa.
Another notable contributor was Pastor Denis Mube, the Regional Coordinator for the church in Kinshasa. Pastor Mube generously used his personal vehicle to transport guests between the hotel and conference venue, ensuring smooth logistics during the conference.
The conference officially opened with welcome remarks and an address delivered by Bishop Enis James Kolawole, the General Presbyter for Africa. His message set the tone for the conference, emphasizing the importance of children’s ministry and leadership development across the continent.
Speakers at the conference included Reverend Joy Rivas, Dr. Jonathan Olavarria, Adrian Olavarria (AJ), Pastor Setin Aubed, and Pastor Peter Ehigiator. From Thursday, April 9 through Saturday, April 11, several impactful topics were presented, including:
1. Worship & Devotion – “Be with Him”
2. The Foundation of Children’s Ministry
3. The Children’s Minister
4. Constructing a Bible Lesson
5. Sample Lesson: When I Am Afraid
6. Elements of Effective Discipleship
7. Leading a Child to Christ
8. Worship & Devotion – “Obstacles to Being with Him”
9. A Discipleship Plan
10. Teaching Children to Pray
11. Discipline in Children’s Ministry
12. Creative Teaching Methods
13. Showing Love in the Classroom
14. Storytelling
15. Leading Children to Experience Holy Spirit Baptism
16. Worship & Devotion – “The Blessings of Being with Him”
17. Scripture Memorization
18. Community Outreach Assessment
19. Developing an Outreach Ministry
The sessions were interactive, practical, and spiritually enriching. Over 200 delegates actively participated throughout the conference and were awarded certificates in recognition of their attendance and engagement.
Sunday, April 12 marked the final day of the program, which focused on family discipleship under the theme "Raising Disciples at Home.” Following the Sunday morning message delivered by the International Children’s Ministry Director, Dr. Jonathan Olavarria and Pastor Setin Aubed conducted special teaching sessions on the following topics:
1. Sustainable Rhythms of Family Discipleship
2. Helping Children Develop Deep Roots
3. Ensuring Children are Spiritually, Emotionally, and Socially Healthy
4. Understanding the Biblical Role of a Grandparent
These sessions emphasized the importance of strengthening families and equipping parents and guardians to disciple children effectively at home.
The program concluded with closing remarks from the host, Bishop Francois Mbengayi. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the General Presbyter for Africa, the International Children’s Ministry Director, guest speakers, and all delegates for their participation. He encouraged attendees to return to their respective churches and implement the lessons learned during the conference.
Brother Francis Kalenga, the National Children’s Ministry Director for DR Congo, also expressed his appreciation for hosting the conference in his nation and acknowledged the impact it would have on children’s ministry across the region.
The conference ended on a celebratory note with the presentation of gifts to the guest speakers, the General Presbyter for Africa, and Bishop Mukendi Bitchy, the National Bishop of Congo Brazzaville.
This historic conference marked a significant milestone for the International Children’s Ministry in Africa and laid a strong foundation for future leadership development, collaboration, and growth in children’s ministry across the region.
