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KIDZ AT HEART INTERNATIONAL

Mesa, AZ · EIN 50554275 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE X20 · Religion-Related · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.kidzatheart.org
revenue
$784K
expenses
$1.1M
net assets
$165K
employees
19
volunteers
100
program ratio
87%
mission · from form 990

KidZ at Heart is a global Christian community that trains, partners with, and mobilizes networks of leaders to help children fall deeply in love with Jesus.

profile · synthesized from sources

KIDZ AT HEART INTERNATIONAL is a nonprofit organization focused on equipping leaders to effectively teach children about faith and spirituality. They provide training programs aimed at helping children develop a personal relationship with God through engaging Bible lessons. The organization operates primarily in the United States and Canada.

named programs · 1 · from sources

what they call their work

Transforming KidZ Ministry Training
Interactive training modules designed to equip leaders with effective teaching methods for children's ministry.
activities · 3 groups

what they do

  • Children's Faith Formation & Parental Equipping 9 activities
    • Conduct specialized workshops for families and caregivers on spiritual discipleship
      Provides practical, skill-based workshops for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to deepen children's spiritual experiences during everyday moments, including "CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES," "DISCIPLING YOUR GRANDCHILDREN," and "PROPHETIC LAMENT," which guide adults in creating intentional God-connection moments and supporting children through grief.
    • Deliver faith formation training programs for children's ministry leaders
      Offers structured training series such as the "Transforming KidZ Ministry: Foundations Series" and the "Great Commandment Series" to equip church leaders, volunteers, and families in Christ-centered children's spiritual formation, including formational Bible storytelling and practices that help children encounter God. The Foundations Series was commissioned in 2024, and the Great Commandment Kids Series, commissioned by the Lilly Endowment in 2018, is taught in over 32 nations.
    • Deliver faith formation training programs for children's ministry leaders
      Offers structured training series such as the "Transforming KidZ Ministry: Foundations Series" and the "Great Commandment Series" to equip church leaders, volunteers, and families in children's spiritual formation, including formational Bible storytelling and age-appropriate discipleship practices. These programs were commissioned in 2024 and 2018 respectively and are delivered globally.
    • Equip adults to nurture faith in children through interactive training
      Provides creative, interactive training programs for church leaders, volunteers, families, and communities to help children know, love, and follow Jesus, with 3,760 participants completing training series to date.
    • Facilitate spiritual growth and discipleship among children and ministry participants
      Engages children and young people in spiritual formation through the Transforming KidZ Ministry Training Program, resulting in 1,711 participants worldwide committing to spiritual growth and discipling children, and providing Spirit-led resources to nurture faith in Jesus.
    • Measure participant engagement and spiritual commitment outcomes
      Tracks participation and spiritual commitment outcomes, with 3,760 participants completing training series and 1,711 participants worldwide committing to spiritual growth and discipling children.
    • Provide practical workshops for families and caregivers on spiritual discipleship
      Offers targeted workshops such as "Celebrating Good Times," "Discipling Your Grandchildren," and "Prophetic Lament" to equip parents, grandparents, and caregivers with practical, scripture-based tools to help children experience God in everyday and difficult moments.
    • Training and Equipping Leaders in Children's Ministry
      KIDZ AT HEART INTERNATIONAL provides creative and interactive training programs and workshops for church leaders, volunteers, families, and communities globally. These programs, such as the "Transforming KidZ Ministry: Foundations Series" and the "Great Commandment Series," equip participants with skills and understanding to nurture faith in children, teach biblical principles, and create environments for children to engage with God. The organization has trained 3,760 participants, licensed 77 leaders as trainers, and partnered with 984 churches across 17 active training networks in over 32 countries.
    • Training and equipping leaders for children's ministry
      KIDZ AT HEART INTERNATIONAL provides creative and interactive training programs and workshops for church leaders, volunteers, families, and communities to equip them in teaching children to know, love, and follow Jesus. These programs include the "Transforming KidZ Ministry: Foundations Series" and the "Great Commandment Series," which focus on Christ-centered spiritual formation, formational Bible storytelling, and applying the Great Commandment.
  • Christian Ministerial Training & Ordination 5 activities
    • Establishing and operating training networks
      The organization operates 17 active training networks across 5 regions and 32+ countries, with 19 new locations launched. These networks facilitate the delivery of their training programs and have established over 25 self-sustaining training networks for the "Great Commandment Kids Series."
    • Expand global training networks and ministry presence
      Operates 17 active training networks across 5 regions and 32+ countries, with 25 self-sustaining training networks established through the Great Commandment Kids Series. Launched 19 new locations and partnered with 984 churches worldwide to extend reach.
    • Expand ministry reach through new location launches
      Launched 19 new ministry locations globally, including over 25 self-sustaining training networks through the Great Commandment Kids Series, to increase access to faith-based children’s programming.
    • Operate global training networks in partnership with churches
      Runs 17 active training networks across 5 regions and 32+ countries, partnering with 984 churches to deliver children’s ministry training and support local spiritual formation efforts.
    • Train and license leaders and trainers in children's ministry
      Raises up and licenses new trainers through programs like the Great Trainers Summit, with 27 new trainers licensed and 77 leaders licensed as trainers. Supports the expansion of training capacity globally through leadership development.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Provide spiritual formation resources for children and ministries
      Offers creative, interactive training programs and Spirit-led tools, lessons, activities, and resources designed to help children know, love, and follow Jesus, while equipping ministries to nurture lifelong faith. These resources support spiritual rhythms in families, children, and communities.
    • Providing Resources for Children's Spiritual Formation
      The organization offers Spirit-led tools, lessons, activities, and resources to help children grow in their love for Jesus. This includes proclaiming the Gospel message and creating space for the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of children and young people through their training programs.
    • Train and license leaders to expand children's ministry capacity
      Conducts leadership development initiatives including the Great Trainers Summit, raising and licensing 104 trainers (27 newly raised and 77 licensed) to deliver training programs, thereby multiplying the organization’s reach across churches and regions.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$784K
Contributions & grants$612K78%
Program service revenue$171K22%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.05M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$741K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$194K
Cash$159K
Investments$0
Liabilities$29K
Net assets$165K
Liquid reserves1.8 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -36.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 6
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Gordon West President / Chief Executive Officer 40 $112K
Becky McAllister Chief Program Officer 40 $64K
Patrick McWhorter Chief Financial Officer 40 $64K
Youeel Tarabay Chief Advancement Officer 40 $44K
Adam Ormord Chief Culture Officer 40 $19K
John McCarty Chief Advancemenet Officer 40 $14K
board members · 5
  • Bob Rundio — Board Member
  • Craig Omoto — Board Treasurer
  • Debby DeBernardi — Board Spiritual Director
  • Rick Whitaker — Board Chairman
  • Scottie May — Board Secretary
relationships · 9

who they work with

  • House of Wisdom Partner — Hosts "Great Commandment Series Module 4-5" training event.
  • Kathy Kochis Partner — Facilitated a KidZ at Heart training in Ukraine in 2018 before joining staff.
  • Lilly Endowment Funder — Commissioned the "Great Commandment Kids Series."
  • Lilly Endowment Funder — Commissioned the "Transforming KidZ Ministry (TKM) Foundations Series" in 2024.
  • NewLife Community Church Partner — Hosts "Great Commandment Series: Module 6" and "Great Commandment Series | Module 5" training events.
  • Smithers Evangelical Free Church Partner — Hosts "Transforming KidZ Ministry: Foundation Series | Module 2: How Children Learn & Module 3: Formational Bible Storytelling" training event.
  • Troy Christian Church Partner — Hosts "Great Commandment Series | Modules 6-7" training event.
  • local churches Partner — Partner with local churches to deliver training and resources for child outreach.
  • ministries Partner — Partner with ministries in diverse regions to support community-based programs for children.