Leading children to grow in healthy ways spiritually, physically, mentally, and socially was the focus of this year’s Church Weekday Education Workshop. The workshop theme “Enjoy Good Health” was taken from the Bible verse 3 John 2, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

Over 550 teachers and administrators from 62 preschool child care centers in churches across the state attended the workshop, held at White Oak Conference Center on July 24-25. The CWE Workshop enables these teachers to receive the training credits required for their center to be licensed or registered with the state Department of Social Services.

Along with classes about how children grow and develop, the workshop included sessions on teaching with music, books, and movement, as well as classes to help the participants themselves to grow personally and professionally.

The CWE Workshop is sponsored by the Childhood Ministry Group of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, along with the officers of the South Carolina Association of Church Weekday Administrators (SCACWA). Andrea Burriss, this year’s SCACWA president, chose the “Enjoy Good Health” theme.  She explains, “As a home economist, I have been interested in children's physical health.  Childhood obesity is on the rise - more each year.  This creates health concerns now and later in life.  Having grandchildren, I am increasingly concerned about how we mistreat or abuse God's world.   We must take steps now to conserve and protect our world for future generations.  "Enjoy Good Health" from 3 John 2 beautifully allowed us to focus on the total child - mental, spiritual, emotional and physical health.”