aka The Kidologist
Children's Pastor, Kid's Entertainer, Ministry Coach, & Friend of Kidmin Leaders
A veteran children’s pastor who received a Call to kids ministry at the age of ten, Karl's life Mission is to Equip and Encourage those who minister to children. Through speaking, writing and training, Karl seeks to challenge others to reach and teach kids for Jesus through a relational ministry approach. Known for his creativity, biblically solid curriculum, and kid-friendly fun ministry methods, you'll love learning from Karl.
Biography
Karl has been a leader and influencer in kids ministry for decades.
As the founder of Kidology.org, Karl Bastian is a follower of Jesus Christ, the lucky husband of his best friend Sara, and the proud father of Luke. When he isn't with his family, or hurrying back to them, his second favorite thing is to creatively minister to kids, and to equip and encourage others who share that passion.
Karl has been a thought leader in children's ministry for years. In 2010, Children's Ministry Magazine named him as one of the Top 20 Influencers in Children's Ministry. In 2019, Karl made 4 of the Top 100 lists in Kidzmatter Magazine. More recently, Moody Alumni Magazine honored Karl with a feature article you can read here.
From backyards to banquet halls, Karl has been entertaining and ministering to children around the country and around the world through puppets, magic, balloons, and other creative means since he was a kid!
Karl brings the Gospel to children in a creative and energetic way that is unique to him. In his training classes, Karl brings the joy of children's ministry to life, and with it, creative and practical ideas and principles that will recharge your ministry.
Karl has over thirty years of experience as a children's pastor in large, small and mobile churches. He is currently the children's pastor at Highpoint Church in Aurora, Colorado, outside Denver.
While he is a full time children's pastor, he is also available as a performer, trainer and consultant to churches for direct ministry to kids, training and encouragement of leaders and volunteers, and as a consultant to children's ministry resource providers. Karl is also a highly sought after conference speaker and trainer and would be honored to be a part of your training event.
He is an author of and contributor to several children’s ministry books and magazines. He also serves as a trainer and encourager at various conference venues. But his favorite ministry opportunity is still in front of kids, creatively teaching them the Bible and training them to serve God.
Karl holds a Bachelors degree in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute, and a Masters in Children's Ministry from the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has served as a guest speaker and instructor at many colleges and universities over the years. (His doctrinal statement is available here.)
His life mission is to reach and teach as many children as possible with the Good News of God's love, and in the process to enlist, equip and encourage others to do the same.
You may enjoy Karl's podcast at KidminTalk.com or his personal site and blog at Kidologist.com. He has written two children's books and runs a media site for children at PastorKarl.com. One is an exciting novel for older kids called Order of the Ancient and the other is an beautifully illustrated allegory of the incarnation of Christ called Andy and the Ants. Karl is also the creator of ToyBox Tales a site loaded with playful videos of toys re-enacting Bible stories. Karl is also the host of Yosemite Summit, a spiritual renewal retreat for male children's pastors.
Most recently, he has launched a Coaching site at KarlBastian.club.
He's a busy guy, but never too busy to pour into kids ministry leaders personally. Never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Since Bible College waaaay back in the in 1990's
My Mission is to Reach and Teach as many children as possible with the Good News of Jesus, and in the process, to Enlist, Equip, and Encourage others to do the same.
Become a Better Leader! I've been doing this for decades, I know the tricks to save you time so you can focus more on the kids. (They are why you do this after all.)
Think you can't do Magic Tricks? or Puppets? or Amazing Object Lessons? Think again! I'll show you step by step how to amaze your kids and your volunteers!
So many apps, so little time. When did ministry become computer time? I'll help you tame tech and make it a friend that saves you time instead of eating it all up.
Your kids ministry is about to get SO MUCH richer, deeper and funner.
Kidology.org still exists - it's amazing kidmin content isn't going anywhere. KarlBastian.club is our new home for memberships and our store PLUS it is the home of Karl's Personal Coaching Ministry.
Great Question! The Kidology.org Membership provides full access to all the content on Kidology.org. (And is now FREE to Club Members!) We have moved our Membership and Store to this new site to better serve you!
Yes! But his availability is limited due to his role as a full time Children's Pastor at a church in Colorado. That is why he leverages online tools for coaching and training to equip and encourage those in children's ministry.
However, if you would like to inquire about having Karl come speak at a conference, camp or other event, reach out to Karl via our support page and Karl will get in touch with you. He does several events each year.
AND be sure to check out Karl's LIVE Video Training. It's a lot of fun and super affordable.