🎥 Watch This Week’s ANNOUNCED
In this week’s episode, we talked through the new animation refresh, the launch of Service Builder, an early peek at next summer’s VBS, and a brand-new podcast made just for KidMin leaders.
🦉 Reimagining Ollie: Animation and Artwork That Capture Wonder
We’ve heard your feedback (and we agree!). Kids ministry deserves visuals that inspire awe, not just fill a screen. Our animation and artwork teams have been hard at work elevating the look and feel of your curriculum so that what you teach and what kids see are completely aligned.
Here’s what’s new:
- Ollie isn’t going anywhere. We love Ollie—and we’re giving him some thoughtful TLC. Our animators have researched and sketched a fresh, intentional look.
- Updated character designs for familiar favorites, giving them new life and richer personalities.
- A unified illustration style across animations, activity pages, and print pieces so everything feels cohesive.
- Enhanced world-building—from the Treehouse to story environments like deserts, waterfalls, and forests—for a more immersive, consistent visual experience.
This refresh isn’t just about aesthetics; it helps kids connect emotionally to what they’re learning so you can teach with confidence.
🛠️ Service Builder: Simplifying Sundays
Service Builder is here! It’s available now to explore features, edit scripts and supply lists, and create your perfect service with ease. Log in to your APlay account to see it in action.
If you’ve been juggling PDFs, checklists, and endless prep, Service Builder changes that with one shared workspace designed to streamline your Sunday planning from start to finish.
What Service Builder can do for you:
- Plan your entire service: Slides, media, scripts, and volunteer roles—all in one place.
- Customize easily: Toggle parts of the script, adjust for group size, and auto-generate supply lists.
- Stay organized & aligned: Media files and playlists are compiled automatically, ready to publish to APlay.
- Collaborate with your team: Everyone can view the same plan and stay on track.
Psst: We get it—“new software” doesn’t always spark a happy dance. But Service Builder isn’t another tool to figure out—it’s a partner that gives you hours back each week. It may take a minute to find your rhythm, but once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever led without it.
And for weekends: use our Sunday Support portal for live troubleshooting during services.
🏰 VBS on the Horizon: Kingdom Quest Comes Alive
Summer may feel far away, but our upcoming VBS experience, Kingdom Quest, is already in motion—and it’s shaping up to be one of our most exciting yet!
This VBS is a complete, immersive story that invites kids to step into an adventurous world as they seek light, discover truth, and find their way home. From the visuals to the storytelling, every detail points back to Jesus.
What to look forward to:
- A fresh, story-driven theme that connects each day to a larger biblical truth.
- Stunning new animation and visual assets.
- Teasers on our social channels soon!
🎙️ Just Launched: The KidMin Podcast
The first episode is live! We sat down with ministry legend Jim Wideman to unpack how children’s ministry got here—and where it’s headed next.
Each episode dives into practical, encouraging conversations about leading in the trenches of children’s ministry—from building volunteer culture to helping kids experience faith in everyday life.
🎧 Listen to Episode 1
Mark your calendars for April 28–30, 2026. Church Conference—a chance to step back, refocus, and be renewed. What to expect: Everything we create—curriculum, media, software, or training—is designed with one goal in mind: to help you do what you do best. You are the heartbeat of ministry. Here’s to fewer logistics, clearer planning, and more moments that matter. We’re honored to serve alongside you.⛪ Church Conference 2026: Refresh, Recharge, Reconnect
✅ What’s Next
Tell Us What You Need
Have a story, question, or suggestion? We’d love to hear from you.
Email us anytime at hello@amazinglife.com — your input helps shape what’s next.
