Our History

The Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE), as we know it today, was born in 1971.  The roots of the organization began much earlier than that.  Over the next 50-plus years the organization has seen many changes, re-forming and re-shaping to meet the needs of those engaged in educational ministry.

In the fifty plus years since APCE’s beginning, the organization has faced many challenges: changes in the status of the vocation of church educators, the restructuring and reorganization of the various communions we relate to, not to mention the changing cultural context in which we serve, including economic and social issues.

We have adapted our governing model to better use the gifts and talents of our constituents, moving from a Governing Cabinet to a three-tiered Council model to the new Team approach with an Executive Director.

We have added partners in the organization, welcoming those from other denominations with the intention of enriching and strengthening the ministry of all.

Through it all, APCE continues to be grounded in the purpose originally adopted: “The purpose of APCE is to advance educational ministries in the church and increase the ongoing witness of our faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”  And our mission statement shapes our common ministry: “The mission of APCE is to connect, enrich, empower, and sustain persons serving in educational ministry in the Reformed family of churches”.

Highlights of our history can be found here

A list of past APCE Annual Events, with location and theme can be found here

Life Achievement/Sustain Award recipients can be found here

Enrich/Educator of Year Award recipients can be found here

Have you been wondering who Val Murphy is, and why we honor her every year at the APCE Annual Event?  You can find out more about her here