Back to News

Living in Jesus: The South-East Côte d’Ivoire Conference Strengthens Children’s Ministries Through Training

Posted on janv. 27 2026

Côte d'Ivoire || Living in Jesus: The South-East Côte d’Ivoire Conference Strengthens Children’s Ministries Through Training.

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the Children’s Ministries Department of the South-East Côte d’Ivoire Conference organized a full-day training session centered on the Living in Jesus (LIJ) curriculum for Children’s Sabbath School teachers. This initiative aimed to strengthen teachers’ practical skills, both in managing Sabbath morning classes and in providing meaningful spiritual instruction to children.
This training took place in the context of recent developments within the Conference. In December 2025, new Children’s Sabbath School teachers were appointed in nearly all churches across the territory, many of whom were entering children’s ministry for the first time. The objective was therefore to equip newly appointed teachers while consolidating the skills of experienced ones, in order to ensure a harmonized and effective ministry throughout the Conference.

More than 120 participants, representing approximately 80% of the churches in the Conference, took part in the training. The various sessions focused on key areas such as classroom management, learner engagement, the smooth flow of worship, and the development of a long-term vision for children’s ministry. This aspect was particularly emphasized by Mrs. Léontine Baka, Director of Children’s Ministries for the Conference and principal organizer of the training.
The main facilitation was provided by Mrs. Tabitha Kra, Associate Director of Children’s Ministries at the West-Central Africa Division (WAD). Through a model Sabbath School lesson, she guided participants in practical application, leading and teaching nearly all the songs for the babies’ class for the quarter. She also stressed the crucial importance of parental involvement in children’s spiritual growth, stating: “Running Children’s Sabbath School without involving parents yields only half of the expected results. The Living in Jesus curriculum is designed to promote close collaboration between parents and teachers in order to effectively lead children to Jesus.”
Mrs. Kra also presented the Church’s global quinquennial theme: “Rooted in the Bible, Committed to the Mission.”

Other resource persons who contributed to the training included Elder Étienne Koutouan, Mrs. Lydia Falayi, Mrs. Elisabeth Amème, and Mrs. Lydia Kiminou, each intervening in their respective areas of expertise.
Participants expressed strong satisfaction with the content and methodology adopted. Mrs. Clémentine Kam, one of the new participants, shared her testimony: “I was particularly struck by the importance of creating a vision for the children of the Sabbath School. My work must not be limited to Sabbath morning classes, but must be part of a long-term perspective for these children.”
The session began with a devotional message delivered by Pastor Solomon Tanoh, representing the administrators of the Côte d’Ivoire Conference, who emphasized the urgency of children’s evangelism by declaring: “Leading children to Christ for a stronger Church is a requirement, not an option.”
The program concluded with a prayer of consecration, committing the teachers and their ministry to God. Looking ahead, Mrs. Tabitha Kra expressed her desire to see similar training sessions organized regularly in each Conference of the Division, in order to sustainably strengthen Children’s Ministries.
Participants left encouraged, better equipped, and motivated for service, expressing their appreciation for the spiritual and practical impact of the training.

By Mrs. Léontine Baka
Director of Children’s Ministries
South-East Côte d’Ivoire Conference