Contact: Rochelle Dorsey, Children's Ministry Marketing Manager, Group Publishing, 970-292-4306, rdorsey@group.com

LOVELAND, Colo., June 19, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- A new nationwide workshop tour will equip churches to counteract decline in attendance by fighting it where it matters most to families—children's ministry.

The Children's Ministry Local Training Tour, from Group Publishing, is set to launch a 100-city campaign starting this August and continuing through the fall. The workshop was created to provide practical training and insight to children's ministry leaders and volunteers, while helping churches strengthen their volunteer base, congregational-wide support, and children's ministry programs as a whole.

Christine Yount Jones, Executive Editor of Children's Ministry Magazine, explained the workshop is a response to exclusive research Group has gathered over the past decade.

"In the past 10 years, the number of churches doing Sunday school has declined 18 percent, and now, 1 in 5 churches are intentionally no longer reaching out to children and families through Sunday school," she said. "If outreach to children and families is stagnating, it's no wonder churches as a whole are facing plateau and decline."

During the workshop, presenters will address 5 brutal realities impacting the church and how to navigate them. In addition, the workshop will reveal what it means to be Jesus-Centered in children's ministry.

Joani Schultz, Group's Chief Creative Officer, explained Group Publishing is uniquely qualified to present this type of workshop and is proud to do so.

"Group has served as an innovative voice in the ever-transforming world of church ministry for the past 42 years. That makes us uniquely equipped to present this type of training," she said. "We're thrilled to have an opportunity to travel the country, sharing what we've learned, inspiring those who love children."

Schultz added the training is geared toward all levels of children's ministry teams from ministry leaders to Sunday school teachers and volunteers.

Each Children's Ministry Local Training is set for a half-day and is priced as-low-as $29.95 per person. For more information and a list of workshop dates, times and locations, visit www.group.com/cmlocaltraining.

The Children's Ministry Local Training Tour officially kicks off August 20th.

Group Publishing is a leader in innovative children's ministry resources, small groups, youth ministry and much more. Group's stated mission is to "Create experiences that help people grow in relationship with Jesus and each other."

Images and interviews are available upon request.