Dr. Ellen (Eby) Moore serves as the Children’s Pastor at The Ark Church, a large growing church in a thriving Houston-suburb, Conroe, Texas. An Oklahoma native with a rich IPHC heritage, Ellen earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Oral Roberts University after receiving her undergraduate and masters degrees in Education from Central State University (now the University of Central Oklahoma). After years in public and private education she now enjoys serving kids, parents, and volunteers in her local church by creating environments where kids are connected to Jesus and encouraged and equipped to follow and serve Jesus for the rest of their lives.
The Divisional Consultant is a new role in Discipleship Ministries which will focus solely on pastors and leaders working directly with children. Our world is quickly changing and we are determined to equip our children with the foundation that we believe is essential for their future.
“We are excited that Dr. Ellen Moore is joining the Discipleship Ministries Team as the divisional consultant for Children’s Ministries. Her years of experience in both public and private education as well as children’s ministries in the local church will prove invaluable as we seek to inspire and equip Conference and Local Church leaders with the resources necessary to be more effective in this vital ministry.” –Bishop Tommy McGhee, Executive Director, Discipleship Ministries.
Dr. Moore met with our DM team to answer a few quick questions about Children’s Ministries and her experiences:
DM: What is one of your favorite stories from working in Children’s Ministries?
EM: A few years ago we were in the middle of our summer day camp. I was going around to some venues with our group of special needs kids and adults when we reached the rock wall. A few of them were harnessed into the equipment, but none of them were able to climb at all. They turned to me wanting me to do it, so I said “Sure!” I’m not typically afraid of heights or adventure, but as I got about two-thirds of the way up my muscles were spent and I was shaking. So I looked down and trying not to make it a big deal, nonchalantly said, “Ok, this is cool, huh?! I’m coming back down now,” to which they immediately responded, “No, Mrs. Ellen, keep going! You can do it, God is with you! Seeing their face and hearing their voices from their wheelchairs, I had no choice…I kept going and rang the bell. That day I was the student and they were the teachers!
DM: What do you think is the #1 obstacle our children will face in their world?
EM: I think one of the big obstacles our kids will face is knowing how to recognize Truth. In a world of tolerance, equal rights, and “if it feels good, do it,” our kids need to be convinced in their hearts and minds of how they will determine Truth. If we can help kids build a worldview based on the Truth of God’s Word and make it their standard for determining what’s right and wrong, true and false, real and fake, they will be equipped to stand strong against all of the competing voices and feelings that can easily bombard them
DM: What is a favorite resource of yours to use in Children’s Ministry?
EM: Some of my favorite KidMin resources are Kidzmatter Magazine and The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School by Aaron Reynolds
Some favorite Parenting resources are Grace Based Parenting and Raising Kids for True Greatness by Tim Kimmel
If you have any questions or would like to receive information regarding Children’s Ministry, please contact kids@iphc.org