Speaking Ministry
Children’s Ministry Training Topics
Teaching, Leading, Parenting
Children’s Program Topics
Five-Session Plans
Adult Message Topics
Loving God & Others
Youth Message Topics
Bold Identity
The Gift of Tears
Can tears be a gift? Annette Ford answers this question in The Gift of Tears: A 10-Week Devotional Journey. This devotional book encourages you to experience tears as a blessing, not a burden, and even in life’s storms to thank God for the tears.
In this award-winning 10-week devotional, you will journey through life stories of learning to trust God in difficult circumstances, parables from times of listening prayer, insights from contemplating God’s word, and creative activities that inspire personal prayer and reflection.
Everyone faces times of anxiety, stress, and hardship. Readers will be encouraged as they look with God’s perspective at the gift of their tearful times and see the beauty He is creating.
The Gift of Tears Endorsements
“Ebenezer Stones” painted by Candy Ng
“My best friend gifted me your writing, and we journeyed together for ten weeks. Every day, we shared our spiritual reflections. I am deeply grateful for your writing! You vividly depicted the emotions of your life through countless life experiences, which truly touched my heart. “Very bad day” left a deep impression on me, reminding me of my own bad day and evoking a sense of shared experience. “Come to me” helped me forgive the unforgivable; God healed my pain. Each week’s theme brings me closer to the Lord, and the Ebenezer stones serve as a constant reminder for me.”
– Candy Ng
Read more here: The Gift of Tears Endorsements
Upcoming Books
Soon to be Published
The following children’s devotional by Annette Ford will be published soon.
LOVE & PRAY!
A 40-Day Kids’ Devotional
This devotional invites kids ages 6 to 10 to change the world with God’s love. They’ll read stories about loving God, doing what’s right, being kind, and humbly following Him. They’ll learn about praying, living in God’s power, and being peaceful and hopeful. Each day also includes meaningful prayer activities.
Upcoming Book Series
The following series by Annette Ford will be published in the coming months and years.
HELP! I’m in CHILDREN’S MINISTRY!
A 5-Novel Series on How to Thrive (Not Just Survive!)
1. HELP! The Kids are Going CRAZY!
A Novel on CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT in Children’s Ministry
On the verge of settling into a meaningless job to appease her controlling mother, Hannah Kingsbridge, a perfectionistic university grad with little teaching experience, accepts the challenge to resurrect her childhood church’s children’s ministry; but when her disrespectful students sabotage something important to her and the church, she must learn that faithfulness is more important than success before she quits—or loses—her job.
2. HELP! I Have NO HELPERS!
A Novel on VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT in Children’s Ministry
When Hannah Kingsbridge, a perfectionistic children’s ministry director, finally feels like her work has become manageable, dozens of kids suddenly join her tiny program. With encouragement from Peter Wong, a personable young pastor, she begins to recruit and train new volunteers; but when tensions grow, she must learn that Christ-centered community is more important than independence before she loses those she needs most.
3. HELP! I Hate CONFLlCT!
A Novel on REVOLUTIONARY LOVE in Children’s Ministry
While contemplating leaving because she feels pressured toward purely fun-focused programs, Hannah Kingsbridge, a perfectionistic children’s ministry director, learns that a man she distrusts has been hired as youth pastor. When she discovers dark secrets about this man, and when a toxic leader discredits the children’s ministry, she must learn that loving boldness is more important than being liked, even if it costs her everything.
4. HELP! I’m BURNING OUT!
A Novel on INNER HEALING in Children’s Ministry
Struggling with exhaustion from the stresses of ministry, Hannah Kingsbridge, a perfectionistic children’s ministry director, commences a restorative journey; but after a week of profound healing at a spiritual retreat, she has flashbacks that reveal deep, unresolved pain. If she doesn’t learn that continual healing is more important than feeling okay, she will jeopardize both a plan to mobilize children and her relationship with the man she loves.
5. HELP! The PARENTS Need Help!
A Novel on PARENTAL COACHING in Children’s Ministry
While not knowing how to advise parents who come for help in raising their kids, Hannah Kingsbridge, a perfectionistic children’s ministry director, moves into the home of a godly Christian family; but when tragedy strikes, and when a situation blows up in a toxic leader’s family, she must learn that God’s incomprehensible peace is more important than knowing everything before she ruins her own “happily ever after.”
Still to Come
The following sequels by Annette Ford will be released after the first series.
HELP! I’m in OVERSEAS MINISTRY!
A Five-Novel Series on How to Thrive (Not Just Survive!)
1. HELP! Everything’s DIFFERENT!
A Novel on CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT in Overseas Ministry
2. HELP! I Need BALANCE!
A Novel on TIME MANAGEMENT in Overseas Ministry
3. HELP! We’re MOVING AGAIN!
A Novel on TRANSITIONS in Overseas Ministry
4. HELP! The KIDS Need Help!
A Novel on THIRD CULTURE KIDS in Overseas Ministry
5. HELP! Home ISN’T HOME!
A Novel on REENTRY STRESS in Overseas Ministry
HELP! I’m RETIRED!
A Five-Novel Series on How to Thrive (Not Just Survive!)
1. HELP! My KIDS have GROWN UP!
A Novel on PARENTING ADULT CHILDREN in Retirement
2. HELP! I’m ON THE SHELF!
A Novel on MINISTRY ENGAGEMENT in Retirement
3. HELP! I’m GROWING OLD!
A Novel on GRACE-FILLED AGING in Retirement
4. HELP! My GRANDKIDS are ALIENS!
A Novel on MENTORING GRANDCHILDREN in Retirement
5. HELP! I Want to GO HOME!
A Novel on LONGING FOR HEAVEN in Retirement
Invite Annette to Speak
If you would like me to speak at your upcoming meeting or training, please contact me here. I will get back to you within one or two business days.
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3
Annette Ford, Author & Speaker 