The Mid-America Union is excited to share encouraging progress on the launch of the brand-new Alive in Jesus Sabbath school curriculum! Grounded in a discipleship model, Alive in Jesus is designed to foster transformational relationships with Jesus while connecting children more meaningfully to home, church and community.
The transition from the long-loved GraceLink materials to Alive in Jesus is well underway—and it’s more than just a curriculum change. It’s a movement toward intentional, relational discipleship that equips our children to follow Jesus with their whole hearts.
In support of this exciting shift, the Mid-America Union has hosted two key training events to equip conference leaders with the vision, tools and resources they need to help local churches transition well. Our most recent training, held in April 2025, brought together leaders from across our union for a weekend of learning, collaboration and inspiration. The North American Division’s Alive in Jesus team led sessions in English and sessions in Spanish were available as well, ensuring that every voice and community was included.
The weekend was filled with lively worship, hands-on demonstrations, and thoughtful discussions—including a conversation on Sabbath school as a vital part of the evangelistic cycle for children and families. It became clear that Alive in Jesus is not just a curriculum; it is a key tool for growing the church by nurturing the faith of its youngest members.
A special highlight of the training was a behind-the-scenes tour of AdventSource. The experience was packed with fun surprises and gave participants a new appreciation for the tremendous effort and intentionality behind the resources that support children’s ministries across the division. The joy and curiosity on our leaders’ faces as they explored the warehouse and connected with the team was truly special!
This curriculum isn’t just new—it’s intentionally crafted. Here’s what makes Alive in Jesus so special:
- Discipleship-Focused: Built around the natural rhythms of childhood development and family life, Alive in Jesus helps children grow as disciples in age-appropriate ways.
- Home + Church Partnership: The curriculum is designed to equip parents and caregivers as active spiritual leaders in their children’s lives.
- Engaging and Practical: With a blend of storytelling, Bible discovery, service and interactive learning, children don’t just learn about Jesus—they encounter Him.
- Flexible Formats: Whether you’re in a large multi-class church or a small group setting, Alive in Jesus provides adaptable structures and tools for your specific context.
The rollout continues with Kindergarten and Primary (ages 4–9), and other age groups will follow in phases. Now is the time to begin preparing your Sabbath school teams. Get familiar with the layout, explore the website (www.aliveinjesus.info), and talk with your local conference leaders about upcoming training opportunities.
We celebrate the momentum building across our union and beyond. It’s an exciting time to be a part of children’s ministry, and we truly believe Alive in Jesus will be a catalyst for spiritual growth in the next generation.
Stay tuned for more training announcements and resource updates—and in the meantime, let’s continue preparing hearts and spaces for children to encounter Jesus in life-giving ways.
Let’s move forward together—Alive in Jesus!
For more information, visit www.aliveinjesus.info or contact your local conference for upcoming training opportunities.
Nicole Broushet is the children’s ministry and small groups pastor for the College View Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.
