Parents seminar May 20 at Elk Grove Baptist focuses on kids, culture

“The world wants our kids and will stop at nothing to get them,” says educator Dick Crider, “but we can win the battle.”

Crider, director of education for DiscipleLand, a children's ministry organization, has taken this message to nearly 60,000 parents and educators across the country since 1986. On Friday, May 20, he brings his expertise and insight to the Chicago area, presenting his parenting seminar "We Can Win the Battle" from 7-9 p.m. at Elk Grove Baptist Church.

This seminar is open to anyone involved in teaching and mentoring children, particularly tweens and teens. This includes parents, family members, public school educators and administrators, park district and Scout leaders as well as clergy and church leaders.

"It's important in kids' spiritual development for parents and grandparents to know what's going on in the kids' lives," Crider says.

This awareness is most important, Crider adds, in this era of rapidly changing technology. In addition to film, television and music, Crider points out that video games, computer interaction, social media and texting have made parenting more and more challenging as children are exposed to images and ideas earlier in their formative years.

Crider contends his two-hour session will provide basic ideas and tools to enable parents, families and school officials to be effective in countering negative images.

"(We want to) open every parent's eyes to the things Satan is doing to pull their children away from God," he says.

Cost for the seminar is $10 per person. Registration deadline is Wednesday, May 18. Online registrations and payments may be made at www.jotform.com/form/11173556391. For further information, visit the Elk Grove Baptist website, www.myegbc.com, calling 847-593-8337, or emailing info@myegbc.com.