From April 16 to 23, 2024, experts for Sunday School from EMS churches in South Africa, India, Indonesia, and Germany met to develop guidelines for a Child Friendly Church. The invitation was issued by the EMS children's programme YOU + ME: FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD. The hosting church was the Gereja Kristen Protestan di Bali. Children from the Balinese church were also present. Children's voices are heard because the aim is not to talk "about" children, but "with" children. The guidelines focus on children and can be implemented in a very practical way.

From the first to the last minute of the conference, the cooperation was characterized by motivation and appreciation. The seven participants only knew each other from digital meetings and were finally able to think together very productively for a few days, exchange ideas and develop practical ideas for Sunday School in an international context. There was a great result at the end of the conference: The draft for practical guidelines for a Child Friendly Church. The guidelines are structured like a hand. The five fingers each represent an area for Child Friendly Church: Atmosphere, Environment, Bible, Worship and Child Protection.

The FRIENDS team will now develop the concept and continue to discuss it with the group and take it to the EMS churches. The conference gave rise to the vision of one day having a Child Friendly Church certification for EMS: So, there is still a lot of work for the group and the fruitful international cooperation.