--- title: "Dordt Children’s Worship Initiative builds momentum through first year of research, training, and church partnerships" date: 2026-08-24T11:06:00-05:00 author: Jennifer Vermeer canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-childrens-worship-initiative-builds-momentum-through-first-year-of-research-training-and-church-partnerships" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Research and Scholarship](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=research-and-scholarship) Aug 24, 2026 # Dordt Children’s Worship Initiative builds momentum through first year of research, training, and church partnerships Funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, Dordt University’s Children’s Worship Initiative has spent its first year engaged in research, consultations, training, and partnerships with churches to support children’s participation in worship. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/b2c7d6f4-2fe5-42db-8cff-f997a096d25f.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=021cdedc&v=c641e2cab9455c21efb2141362b55f8dc71b1ce0b226b08296523e306d1efb73) ![]()Dordt University’s [Children’s Worship Initiative](https://www.dordt.edu/childrens-worship-initiative) is helping congregations rethink how children participate in the worshiping life of the church, building momentum through a first year of consultations, research, training events, and partnerships with churches. Funded through [Lilly Endowment](https://lillyendowment.org/)’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, this initiative seeks to equip children ages 12 and under to participate more fully in congregational worship by developing their knowledge and skills in worship arts and leadership. “The purpose of this initiative is to help children come alive in their faith by engaging them as worship leaders and empowering them to share their unique artistic and leadership gifts in congregational gatherings,” says Dr. Jeremy Perigo, co-director of Dordt Children’s Worship Initiative. The initiative grows out of Dordt University’s mission “to equip students, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.” Through its work, the Children’s Worship Initiative seeks to strengthen congregational belonging and participation by nurturing the faith lives of children. “Because the worship lives of children matter, through consultations with pastors, parents, ministry leaders, and children we are beginning to more clearly identify and equip children with the knowledge and skills necessary for worship arts leadership,” says Angela Perigo, co-director of Dordt Children’s Worship Initiative. #### **Building a foundation through research and consultation** During its first year, the initiative led in-depth consultations and surveys with nearly 50 churches and local ministries. These conversations have helped the initiative identify both the opportunities and challenges churches face as they seek to welcome children’s gifts into worship. > “The purpose of this initiative is to help children come alive in their faith by engaging them as worship leaders and empowering them to share their unique artistic and leadership gifts in congregational gatherings.” At the Northwest Iowa Children in Worship Consultation at Dordt in the spring, volunteers, music directors, senior pastors, and children’s ministers gathered to share stories of God at work in their churches, identify challenges to incorporating children in worship, and consider ways the Children’s Worship Initiative could help train and equip young worshippers. One consistent request from church leaders was for additional curriculum focused on the theology of worship and the arts. The consultations have also prompted ministry leaders to pay closer attention to the children who are already present in their congregations and to consider how their gifts and presence might shape worship and service. “The Dordt Children’s Worship Initiative has already begun shaping how the Dordt community, ministry leaders, and congregations think about children's presence and participation in worship,” says Jeremy Perigo. Through meetings and partnerships within the Dordt community and with local church leaders, the initiative has generated increasing interest in intentionally engaging children as active participants in the church's worshiping life. The consultations have also revealed a variety of approaches to children’s spiritual formation across Christian traditions. In Reformed contexts, leaders frequently emphasized helping children know Scripture and understand that they are deeply loved by God. In non-denominational contexts, leaders highlighted prayer and musical worship as spaces where children can listen for the voice of God and experience the inner witness of the Spirit. “These differences point not to division but to complementary approaches that together enrich intergenerational worship and aid in communal faith formation,” adds Jeremy Perigo. Another emerging theme has been the importance of intentional ministry leadership. Children’s participation in worship requires thoughtful practices, clear invitations, and leaders who are attentive to children’s spiritual lives. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/perigo1.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=57&h=65&c=5ee0c923&v=ee4f1a9e6aa08bfaa69e0b8eac5a747a3b6a0dbe4dc1f0afcc5ddb5dfa46b1ed) “Children’s participation in worship does not happen by accident; it requires thoughtful practices, clear invitations, and leaders attentive to children's spiritual lives,” explains Angela Perigo. The initiative is helping ministry leaders develop postures that support this engagement, including attentiveness to children’s presence, openness to their contributions, and commitment to safeguarding their well-being within worshiping communities. #### **Training children and equipping leaders** Alongside its consultation and research efforts, the initiative has spent its first year establishing two hubs of research-driven training: one on the East Coast, working with a network of multicultural non-denominational churches, and another in Northwest Iowa with Dordt-supporting congregations. Children’s conferences and workshops have focused on areas including worship songwriting, public prayer for God’s world, and musicianship. The initiative has also launched “Kids in the Mix,” a podcast featuring conversations with theologians, worship scholars, and music educators. Nine episodes have been released, exploring topics ranging from John Calvin as a children’s pastor to educational practices for training children in worship music. The initiative’s work is also supported by a team of five Dordt student employees recruited, interviewed, and onboarded during the first year. The students serve in areas connected to their vocational callings, including curriculum development, elementary education, worship arts leadership, research, graphic design, and digital media. #### **Looking ahead** The Children’s Worship Initiative will continue expanding opportunities for children to grow in worship arts and leadership in the coming year. Upcoming efforts include the launch of an intergenerational gospel choir in Virginia and weekly school-based worship arts training in Sioux Center. Several new publications from the initiative engaging liturgical theology and children’s presence in corporate worship are also expected next year. Beginning in early 2027, the initiative plans to undertake more in-depth research centered on the voices of children and their experiences in worship. As the initiative moves into its next phase, its first year has established a foundation of relationships, research, and training that will continue to shape how churches and ministry leaders understand children’s participation in worship. --- **About Dordt University** As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt offers undergraduate and graduate programs that help students live their faith in every area of life. Through rigorous learning, meaningful relationships, and whole-person formation, students gain the practical wisdom to serve God and neighbor through their work and in their communities. Dordt has been named among the nation's leading Christian universities by *U.S. News & World Report*, *Niche*, and other national publications. --- [Previous Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/CameronGrimes_DanielGarcia_000421.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=3b248424&v=bb22a934a2bf168de92299d599480e14f4b56af45af1baf3a6c10ecb2b4a45c3) Campus Aug 24, 2026 ## Dordt University embarks on one-year generative AI pilot program “We want to bring this about for all students, staff, and faculty together, so that it’s not just the students who can afford subscriptions to premium services that have access, but rather every single person at Dordt has the same level of access." 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These projects help us continue carrying out Dordt’s mission while serving students well for years to come.” Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/summer-improvements-prepare-dordt-campus-for-a-new-academic-year) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) Aug 25 Athletics Women's Golf #### [8/25 10:00 AM Dordt University Women's Golf vs Mount Marty Invite - Fox Run Golf Course // 18 Holes ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-25-1000-am-dordt-university-womens-golf-vs-mount-marty-invite-18-holes-fox-run-golf-course) Aug 26 General #### [Chapel & Convocation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/chapel-convocation-2026-08-26) Aug 26 Athletics Men's Soccer #### [8/26 4:45 PM Dordt University Men's Soccer vs Graceland ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-26-445-pm-dordt-university-mens-soccer-vs-graceland) ![A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2021-22/Buildings-and-Campus/2021-09-23_001574-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&f=webp&c=3d670641&v=d2bdb7cbdc83e5be46d3a10afe8a1214a0e770536697eb0ddbe29e017d2e9577) <![CDATA[YII-BLOCK-BODY-END]]>