More than 900 children's and youth ministry leaders from 38 states gathered in Brentwood from Monday, Oct. 5, through Wednesday, Oct. 7, for Lifeway's 10th annual ETCH conference.

The event, short for Equipping the Church and Home, featured four main sessions, nearly 70 breakout sessions and three pre-conferences on topics including special-needs inclusion, Generation Alpha and responding to abuse disclosures, according to Lifeway.

Chuck Peters, Lifeway's NextGen director, opened the conference with a challenge drawn from his days racing cars. "Anyone can run fast for a very short time," Peters told attendees. "The challenge is to finish the race you started."

The theme, "Hold Fast," threaded through all four main sessions. Organizers said the goal was to encourage children's and youth workers to remain faithful, persevere in their calling and stay rooted in their faith.

Shane Pruitt, national next-gen director for the North American Mission Board, spoke on the opening night about reaching Generation Alpha. Pruitt told the crowd it was their turn to be faithful in declaring their mission to the next generation.

Other keynote speakers included author and Bible teacher Blair Linne, Lifeway president and CEO Ryan Blackwell and Stephanie Chase, kids minister at Champion Forest Baptist Church. Blackwell urged attendees to focus on finishing well, while Chase closed the conference by calling ministry leaders to hold fast to their mission.

Kim Vallair, children and youth director at The Mount Church in Garland, Texas, marked the milestone her own way. She wore all 10 of her conference nametags from every ETCH she has attended and sat in the front row.

The 10th-anniversary celebration also featured throwback videos, ETCH-branded cookies and sketch artist John Whitworth capturing moments throughout the week. Brandon Heath performed as a special musical guest, with worship led by Bridge Worship.

One of the three pre-conferences focused on disability ministry. Sandra Peoples and Jana Magruder, Lifeway's NextGen strategic initiative director, led the session on special-needs inclusion. Magruder said the session aimed to help churches expand existing disability ministries or start new ones.

Lifeway Christian Resources, a nonprofit in operation since 1891 and headquartered in Brentwood, organized the conference. A digital pass to view all main sessions will be available Monday, Nov. 16.

What's next

The ETCH conference returns to Brentwood Baptist Church from Sunday, Oct. 4, through Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2027.