David Goodwin is a leading children's pastor who ministers in leaders seminars and conferences in different countries of the world - across many denominations.

Therese has an extensive background in children's ministry and ... more

In 1970-73, David attended Assembly of God Bible College in NZ for three years and then became the Children's Ministry Director at Lower Hutt Assembly of God. He worked extensively with children in camps, outreach programmes etc.

In 1975, he took up a position as Youth Pastor, then Sole Pastor at Napier Assembly of God Church (seven years) and then accepted a pastoring position at Hastings Assembly of God (five years). While at Hastings he became the Founding Principal of Layman's Bible Institute in Hawkes Bay.

David became a fully ordained minister on 4 October 1978.

During this time, David worked for the Department of Social Welfare in Napier part time for 10 years, supervising young people who were ordered by the court to do Community Work

In 1985 he established Camp David in Hawkes Bay that became his full time ministry for the next 10 years, attracting 4000-5000 children each year to specialised children's and family programs.

David left Camp David at the end of 1994 in order to do further studies to gain formal qualifications as a children's counsellor. At the same time he and his wife established Kidsreach - a ministry to encourage, equip and support those who work with children. Part of Kidsreach is the School of Children's Ministry, a correspondence Course for those who work with children. There are currently over 200 students enrolled in this course.

In November 1996, David attained a Diploma of Counselling with Te Nikau Bible Training Centre. In 1997 he established a Children's Counselling Practice and the next year he was admitted as a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors.

November 1996 entered a two-year contract as Children's and Youth Pastor with Waikanae Anglican Church to develop their children's and youth programmes. Worked for two and a healf years and set up full time youth centre, two youth groups and oversight of several Sunday Schools.

In 1999 David and Therese moved with their family to NSW to take up a position as the Children's Pastor at the Hawkesbury Christian Centre, NSW, Australia. In 2000 he was appointed the NSW Director of Kids R Us (Australia)

Resources

David has written several books and manuals for those who work with children including:

• Child Abuse in the Church - the problem and prevention of child abuse in church programmes
• Kids in Crisis - training manual for children's counselling
• Handbook on Children's Ministry
• Seed of Blood
• Discovery Club Manual
• Discovery Club Curriculum
• Empowering Children

Therese Goodwin

Therese has a background in children's ministry having worked in two children's homes before being married as well as doing various children's ministry positions in church. Therese has written many songs for children's ministry and has this year recorded several albums for children's ministry. Therese specialises in teaching children Scripture in Schools and training leaders to lead children to worship.

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Speaking

David speaks at several major conferences to children's workers including Hillsong. He and Therese are the Founders and Directors of the Kidsreach National Conference on Children's Ministry in NZ, the largest children's ministry event of its type in Australasia.

David travels to Sri Lanka every year to train and equip those who minister to and care for children. He has done extensive work in helping churches in Sri Lanka put in place Safety and Protection protocol's and has established a full time ministry to provide training and resources.

David has travelled to many countries and is a well-respected preacher and teacher. He is a lecturer with Tabor Bible College in Sydney.

David is available to help you and your church in the area of training and consultancy for your children's ministry.