Show Me Arts & Ministry Conference
40th Anniversary – August 20-22, 2026
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Proverbs 16:16
“More Precious Than Gold”
Wednesday August 19
12:00
Vendor Set Up
Gym
6:00-8:00 pm
Early Registration
Gym
8:00 pm
Staff Meeting
TBD
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Thursday, August 20
Breakfast on your own
7:30-8:15
Registration
Gym
8:30
Worship begins w/Worship Team – Morning Devotions – Jethro
Sanctuary
9:00-6:00
Silly Saints Vendors Midway Open
Gym
9:00-4:00
Thursday Intensives
Track #1
Balloon Decor Build with Hope Holmes CBA and Chris Burton CBA
Sanctuary
We will be building visual delights that bring the conference theme to life. We will use both challenging and casual techniques for both beginner and Intermediate levels.
Track #2
KidMin (will perform in Friday night’s show) – Ann & Gary Gramlich
Upper Room
Grab your creative juices and join us for a day of FUNtastic ideas to jump start your Kids Ministry. From Memory verse games to story-telling to songs to puppets to altar calls and things in between. Be inspired to inspire the kids God has placed in your care. (Class will learn a devotion/object lesson/skit/bit to perform in Friday night’s show)
Track #3
Nursing Home with field trip – Barb Field
Preschool Room
Ministering to the residents in Nursing Homes can be a deeply rewarding for several reasons: Fulfilling a need and making a difference; Personal growth and spiritual enrichment; Building meaningful relationships; Witnessing Resilience and faith; and sharing practical ways to minister.
12:00-1:30
Lunch available at Messer Hall $12 (please indicate at registration or before if you plan to eat at the church)
4:00-6:00
Supper with a friend (please include new friends)
6:00
Evening worship & Open Mic Night, Skit Bit by Nursing Home class & Memory Verse by KidMin class – Victor as MC
(even if you are not performing, please come and cheer them on)
Sanctuary
JAM in the gym/vendors open until 9pm (bring a snack to share)
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Friday, August 21
Breakfast on your own
7:30-8:15
Registration
Gym
8:30
Worship begins w/ Worship Team – Morning Devotions – Gary & Ann Gramlich
Sanctuary
9:00-6:00
Silly Saints Vendors Midway Open
Gym
9:00-4:00
Friday Intensives
Track #1
Clown Ministry – Brenda Marshall (field trip to Especially Kids)
Upper Room
Explore how God can use joy, creativity, and childlike wonder to share the Gospel through clown ministry. This class covers the heart and purpose of clowning in ministry – when and where it is most effective – and equips you with practical tools to communicate biblical truths in engaging ways. Through songs, balloon art, puppetry, skits, storytelling, and simple magic, you’ll learn how to present meaningful, Christ-centered messages that connect with audiences of all ages. Whether you’re just beginning or growing your ministry, you’ll be encouraged to serve with purpose, compassion, and a spirit of joy.
Track #2
Balloon Twisters University – Jeff Estes (field trip to Head Start School in/out of clown)
Gym
Learn from this talented and creative twister. Whatever skill level you are currently at, he will advance you with his entertaining ways. Entertaining during line work and games with balloons will be addressed as well as advanced balloon sculpting. Bring some balloons and a pump but if you do not have these, don’t let that stop you from attending, there are plenty of old or new friends that you can borrow from. Be ready to laugh and learn! (Class will work on a devotion/object lesson/skit/bit to perform in Friday night’s show)
Track #3
Face Painting – Brenda Caldwell
*additional materials fee at registration or at door*
Preschool Room
The face painting world is vast and endless. This class will move in the direction YOU want to take it. If more focus is needed on basic strokes and tools of the trade OR if you are past that and willing to take on a challenge, this class will meet you at your level. You can ALWAYS learn something new, but best of all you can take home friendships, networking, and knowledge that you need to continue growing in this business long after the convention is over.
Track #4
Puppet Ministry with Friday night performance – Bonnie & Jim Scott
*additional materials fee at registration or at door*
Sanctuary
Create an adorable basic puppet friend with a glue gun and some imagination. Beginning basics and brush-ups for seasoned puppeteers. “Learning to dance” (without using your feet). Basic choreography and variety in movement that will make your puppets come alive and jive! Easy Puppet Skits: How to put together a delightful program even when you have limited time, limited budget and a limited number of hands! Puppeteers will weave together a full-scale performance while learning staging, choreography and special effects. Ideas on creating props and scenery to brighten up your performance and get your message come alive. Practice your manipulation for the evening show!
12:00-1:30
Lunch available at the Messer Hall $12 (please indicate at registration or before if you plan to eat at the church)
Messer Hall
4:00-6:00
Supper with a friend (please include new friends)
6:00
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Evening worship – Show performers: Balloon Twisters, Puppet Class, Kidmin Class,
Sanctuary
JAM in the gym/vendors open until 9pm (bring a snack to share)
Saturday, August 22
Breakfast on your own
7:30-8:15
Registration
Gym
8:30-9:00
Worship begins w/ Worship Team – Morning Devotions – Larry Hipps
Sanctuary
9:00-6:00
Silly Saints Vendors Midway Open
Gym
9:10-10:00
1. Juggling 101 – Victor Thomas
Sanctuary
2. Lightning, Thunder, Brainstorm! – Brenda Marshall
Upper Room
3. Object Lessons – Ruth Maggard
Preschool Room
10:10-11:00
4. Gospel Illusions – Chris Burton
Sanctuary
5. – Clown Worship Class – Lorhen Meijer
Upper Room
6. Storytelling – Sandy Noe
Preschool Room
11:10-11:55
7. Clowning for the Future – makeup and costume (this class is for all registrants)
Messer Hall
12:00-1:15
Lunch available at Messer Hall $12(please indicate at registration or before if you plan to eat at the church)
Messer Hall
1:30-2:20
8. Beginning Balloon Twisting – Jeff Estes
Sanctuary
9. Games for All – Steve Kissell
Upper Room
10. How to Make Choosing a Volunteer part of your Program – Larry Hipps
Preschool Room
2:30-3:20
11. Mime…All Mime! – Barb Field
Sanctuary
12. You Character, You! – Brenda Marshall
Upper Room
13. Performing from your Pockets – Lorhen Meijer
Preschool Room
3:30-4:20
14. Dowel Rods – Colleen Fouts
Sanctuary
15. Balloon Object Lessons- Barb Field
Upper Room
16. Performing for Young Children – Dave Risley
Preschool Room
6:00
Group photo (please be on time)
Sanctuary
6:30
Banquet
Messer Hall
7:30
Evening worship & Commencement Service – Show performers: Steve & Riz, Jr. Joeys & Presenter Brenda Marshall
There is no video or audio recording without permission from the presenter.
See you next year August 2027
Junior Joeys Schedule:
9:10-10:00
Juggling 101 – Victor Thomas
Sanctuary
10:10-11:00
Storytelling – Sandy Knoe
Sanctuary
11:10-11:55
Clowning for the Future
Messer Hall
1:30-2:20
TBA
2:30-3:20
TBA
Sanctuary
3:30-4:20
Dowel Rods – Colleen Fouts
4:30-5:30
Rehearsal for evening show
Sanctuary
