Welcome to Parent Summit!
It is the goal of our Children’s, Grade 5&6, and Youth Ministries to provide parents, guardians, and grandparents with the tools they need to disciple their children. We believe you are the primary disciplers of your children, and we are honoured to partner with you to teach your child about Jesus as they grow in their faith.
Special Guests for a Special Parent Summit!
We are so excited to welcome Michael Handler, Chief Innovation Officer Global Vice President, Awana International and Europe, as well as co-author of Forming Faith & Resilient and co-founder of the Child Discipleship Forum, Eric Provost, Executive Director of Awana Canada and Global Vice President, Awana International, Jen Paterno, Operations and Resources for Awana Canada, and Sarah Armstrong, National Field Director of Awana Canada, who will share easy to use ideas you can use right away to help your kids grow in their faith from birth to grade 12. You will be encouraged, have an opportunity to connect with other CSC families, and be equipped to take meaningful next steps as you lead your family in the way of Jesus.
We are also excited to offer an opportunity for our children to join in the fun! Parents who register will have the chance to sign up their children for a morning of discipleship. We will be running nursery, preschool, and grade school classes for children alongside our adult sessions so that the whole family can come and be discipled. Child spaces are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis through registration.
When: April 11, 2026
Where: Central Campus, 3900 2nd Street NE. Room 143 A/B
Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm
Breakout Sessions
Our Spring 2026 session will feature an incredible lineup of guest speakers:
Mike Handler
Chief Innovation Officer
Global Vice President, Awana International and Europe
Mike Handler serves as Chief Innovation Officer for Awana and as Global Vice President of Western Europe. He joined Awana in 2011 and has served in various creative, marketing, and strategic communications roles before being called to his current leadership positions. Prior to Awana, Mike was a pastor and church planter, as well as the principal of a creative agency. He is the co-author of Forming Faith and Resilient, and the co-founder of the Child Discipleship Forum. Mike, his wife Erin, and their four children feel blessed to have relocated to Franklin, Tennessee, from the Chicago area—though they still miss Chicago’s food and sports.
Session Title: Presence, Practice, and Prayer
Eric Provost
Executive Director, Awana Canada
Global Vice President, Awana International
Eric began serving with Awana Canada in 2013 as the Regional Director for Ontario. After developing the Ontario ministry and establishing a strong leadership team, he was appointed Associate Director for Canada, focusing on team development and national growth.
In 2020, the Board invited Eric to step into the role of Executive Director for Awana Canada. In this position, he provides national leadership and direction to the ministry while also serving as one of Awana International’s Global Vice Presidents—helping to bring focus, resources, and alignment to Awana’s worldwide mission.
Session Title: Is the vision clear for your family?
Jen Paterno
Operations and Resources Director for Awana Canada
Jen and her husband Matt parent four teenagers and young adults together. Jen has served as Operations Director with Awana Canada for nearly three years, supporting parents and leaders as they nurture children’s faith.
Jen loves that parenting young adults has become less about having all the answers and more about cherishing the small, ordinary moments that shape a child’s heart. She brings warmth, authenticity, and understated humor while equipping parents to raise children with confidence, resilience, and a lasting faith.
Session Title: Faith formation of children in the Home: Key findings of the Parenting Faith Study
Sarah Armstrong
National Field Director of Awana Canada
For over 15 years, Sarah served in children’s ministry while raising three daughters of her own—an experience that shaped both her heart and her calling. Through the everyday moments of parenting and ministry, she became deeply convinced that the most important thing any child can understand is how much God loves them (John 3:16).
Through Awana Canada Sarah is honoured to encourage and inspire child discipleship both in the home and in the church, helping families and faith communities nurture a strong foundation of faith for the next generation.
Session Title: 3B philosophy of child discipleship: Helping kids belong to God and His kingdom, believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, become like Jesus and walk in His ways through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Register Below!