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Children's faith formation is like leaving a handprint in wet cement. Every lesson, every interaction makes a mark that will shape a child's long-term view of God, people, and the world.
In Wet Cement, Julia Dennis challenges church leaders, Sunday school teachers, and spiritually curious parents to approach children's ministry with a view of the lifelong impressions we are leaving on our children's faith. With honesty, passion, and practical guidance, Dennis reimagines a faith formation that is child-led, radically inclusive, and rooted in the boundless love of Jesus.
This book will help you and your church develop a children's ministry that:
Welcomes every child--neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, kids of all races and backgrounds--as fully beloved by God.
Embeds STEM, sensory integration, and play-based learning into faith practices.
Confronts and corrects the whitewashed visuals and implicit biases still baked into most materials.
Provides hands-on tools for designing classrooms and lessons that meet kids where they really are.
If you've ever wondered how to make kids feel welcome in church--and actually excited to come--this book is your blueprint. Wet Cement invites you to leave behind the stale and the standard and step into a ministry that leaves a lasting, life-giving impression.
About the author
Julia Dennis is a director of family ministries, raised by a deacon in the United Methodist Church. A wife and mother of two, she's passionate about family education and helping children experience Jesus's inclusive, radical love. Her work blends faith, family, and empowerment, inspiring the next generation to live with purpose, compassion, and spiritual grounding.
