GEMS Winter Leadership Training Series
Looking to strengthen your leadership and make a lasting impact in your GEMS Girls’ Club? The Lead with Love: Winter Leadership Training Series is designed with you in mind! Based on feedback from last fall’s survey, we’ve curated a lineup of webinars that address the topics you care about most.
Join us for practical, faith-centered training sessions that will equip you to lead with confidence and love. Can’t make it live? No problem! Each webinar will be recorded and available on the ReFresh training platform for you to access anytime.
Don’t miss this opportunity to grow as a leader and connect with other GEMS leaders.
Reserve your spot today!
On-Demand Webinars
Title: Living the Word: How to Memorize Scripture with Purpose
Speaker: Rochelle Visser
Recording available on ReFresh
Description:
As believers, we rely on God’s Word to remind us of His truth and goodness. But let’s face it—memorizing scripture isn’t always easy, and we don’t always have a Bible handy when we need it most.
That’s why we’re excited to invite you to an interactive webinar with Rochelle Visser, where she’ll share a simple, step-by-step process for creating tunes and motions to memorize God’s Word. Find out more on ReFresh.
Title: Watercolor & Worship: Embracing Creativity and Loving God’s Word
Speaker: Bethany Norris
Recording available on ReFresh
Description:
There is more than one way to worship God. While singing is a beautiful form of worship, others might find journaling or hiking in God’s creation a meaningful way to worship.
Through this inspiring webinar, Bethany Norris will explain a theology of worship and introduce watercolor as a creative way of worship. Find out more on ReFresh.
Title: Beyond GEMS Sunday: Inspiring Church Support for GEMS
Speaker: Pastor Heather Dood
Recording available on ReFresh
Description:
Have you ever wished your congregation understood the true impact of your GEMS Club? While GEMS Sundays are a great way to showcase the ministry, not every church has the opportunity to host one. Find out more on ReFresh.
Upcoming Webinars
Title: Belonging for Every Girl: Leading with Love Across Abilities
Speaker: Victoria (Tory) White
When: March 4, 12:00 PM ET
Description:
This webinar is designed to equip you to welcome girls of all abilities with confidence and compassion.
Through this webinar, you will gain:
- Practical ways to foster belonging for girls of all abilities
- Strategies to effectively engage girls who may learn, move, worship, or express themselves differently
- A deeper understanding of how to celebrate diversity while creating an inclusive, Christ-centered club environment
Whether you’re leading a new club or a seasoned group, this session will provide tools and insights to ensure every girl in your club feels seen, known, and loved.
Title: From Diversity to Unity: Building Hospitable GEMS Clubs
Speaker: Kaylyn Unterkofler
When: March 11, 12:00 PM ET
Description:
Every girl is a unique creation of God, just like rubies, diamonds, and emeralds—each one distinct, beautiful, and deeply valued. As a GEMS leader, you may face challenges in embracing and engaging girls from diverse ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities. You desire to learn more about how to create a welcoming, Christ-centered space where every girl feels seen, known, and loved.
Join us for this essential conversation on curiosity, sensitivity, and biblical inclusivity. This webinar will explore practical ways to lead each delightfully unique girl in GEMS with love and grace!
Title: Walking with Hurting Girls: Leading Them Toward Healing and Wholeness
Speaker: Kayla Smith
When: March 18, 12:00 PM ET
Description:
Today’s girls face overwhelming challenges, including abuse, neglect, divorce, lockdowns, social isolation, and civil unrest. These difficulties have led to a rise in childhood trauma, making it more important than ever for GEMS leaders to understand how to help.
You don’t have to have all the answers but we can help equip you with tools and insights to confidently support every girl in your care.
In this session, you’ll learn:
- How trauma impacts the children in your ministry
- Common misconceptions churches have when teaching and disciplining hurting kids
- The reasons behind some of the most frustrating and confusing child behaviors
- Research-based strategies to help girls heal and thrive within your club
Join us as we provide practical guidance to create a safe, Christ-centered space where every girl can feel seen, supported, and loved. Together, we’ll explore how to lead with compassion and hope as we walk alongside hurting girls.
Title: Coming soon
Speaker: Coming soon
When: March 25, 12:00 PM ET
Title: Reaching Girls Beyond the Church
Speaker: Debra Liccar and Sue Harkema
When: April 1, 12:00 PM ET
Description:
We often think of GEMS as a church-based ministry, but in recent years, GEMS clubs hosted in community centers and public schools have seen incredible growth and impact. More than ever, girls outside of the church need to hear the truth of God’s love—and GEMS leaders are stepping in to meet them where they are.
In this workshop, Debra Liccar and Sue Harkema will share their firsthand experiences leading GEMS in non-traditional settings. With nearly three decades of GEMS leadership, Debra has pioneered clubs beyond church walls, currently leading three thriving community-based groups. Sue, as Education Director at Streams Community Center, has seen remarkable results since launching a GEMS club for girls in an underserved neighborhood.
Come learn practical insights, best practices, and be inspired by how GEMS clubs are reaching girls in schools, community centers, and beyond. The need is great—let’s rise to meet it!