Our Mission

The Nurturing Faith Collective is committed to fostering a strong partnership between the church and the home in child discipleship. Our mission is to empower Ministry Leaders, Parents, and Faith Influencers in both English and Spanish-speaking contexts with the knowledge and tools they need to nurture children’s discipleship. We leverage the expertise of Bethel Seminary Master of Arts in Children's, Youth and Family Ministry graduates and Entre Niños team members to provide high-quality resources and training that are rooted in biblical principles and best practices. 

Our History

In January of 2023, Bethel Seminary and Entre Niños developed a survey to help better understand the needs of Ministry Leaders and Parents & Faith Influencers, with the goal of strengthening the connection between church and home in child discipleship.

The survey was written and presented in both English and Spanish. Responses were collected based on those surveyed being:

  • A Ministry Leader

  • A Parent or Faith Influence

  • Both a Ministry Leader and a Parent / Faith Influencer

In total, 909 adults were surveyed. The results received were split relatively evenly between English respondents (477) and Spanish respondents (432).

In addition to having respondents from throughout the United States and Canada, the English survey had respondents from India, Turkey, New Zealand, Panama, and the Czech Republic.

In addition to having respondents from throughout the United States and Canada, the Spanish survey had respondents from Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, Peru, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, Honduras, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and Equatorial Guinea.

We are proud to say that through this research, Bethel Seminary and Entre Ninos have partnered to launch the Nurturing Faith Collective!

Our Team

  • Denise Muir Kjesbo

    Director of the Cory Center for Children's Ministries at Bethel Seminary

    Dr. Denise Muir Kjesbo serves as Professor and Program Director at Bethel Seminary in the Master of Arts in Children’s, Youth and Family Ministry. Denise is passionate about facilitating partnership between Ministry Leaders, Parents and Faith Influencers for their vital calling to facilitate child discipleship. Denise received an M.Div. in Family Ministry from Sioux Falls Seminary and a Ph.D. in Education from Trinity International University.

  • Shelley Henning

    Co-founder and Director of GrowthRings®

    Shelley Henning is a denominational leader for children’s ministry and the co-founder and director of GrowthRings®, which equips Parents, Faith Influencers, and churches to build strong faith foundations in families. She is an ordained minister, and holds a master’s degree in Children’s and Family Ministry. Shelley is also a Doctor of Ministry student at Bethel Seminary.

  • Luz Gálvez de Figueroa

    Founder and Director of Entre Niños

    Dr. Luz Gálvez de Figueroa is the founder and director of Entre Niños. A ministry with global reach. Luz holds a master’s degree in spiritual formation from Carey Theological College and she completed a Doctorate in Theology and Leadership from Bethel Seminary. She has served as a pastor of children and family ministries, speaker, writer, and academic professor. She is passionate about Christian spiritual formation of the family.