ABOUT CROSSTRAIN KIDS

A Curriculum That is Rooted to the Rock.

CrossTrain Kids is a curriculum designed to focus on the holistic development of elementary-aged children (K-8) by teaching physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness.

Materials can also supplement Confirmation, be adapted for VBS, or be used as a full Sunday School curriculum. Drawing on biblical passages, they teach children to care for their bodies, minds, and souls in a balanced and Christ-focused way.

Each lesson integrates biblical teachings with practical life skills, helping children build a strong foundation of faith, well-being, and emotional resilience. Lessons can be adapted to fit whatever structure and time you have to cover the content. Additionally, we offer a condensed Preschool Curriculum and Life Skills Unit.

    • Learn that emotions are part of being human and that God cares about our feelings.

    • Understand how to express emotions in healthy and constructive ways.

    • Learn about emotional resiliency through biblical teachings of overcoming challenges and emphasizing the importance of trusting God in difficult times.

    • Learn how to handle conflicts with kindness and forgiveness.

    • Learn to replace the lies we tell ourselves with God’s truths and utilize strategies and tools like Identify-Validate-Align and breathing techniques.

    • Encourage practices of thankfulness and finding joy in God’s blessings, no matter our circumstances.

    • Students learn that God deeply loves them and created them for a unique purpose and identify their strengths and areas of improvement.

    • Learn the importance of applying God’s Word to daily life, taking it from head to heart.

    • Understand what it means to worship and live a life that honors God in every aspect, including school, relationships, and personal decisions.

    • Learn the importance of playing to an audience of one.

    • Children learn God created their bodies, which should be treated with respect and care.

    • Explore the importance of good nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and hygiene with lessons on healthy choices that align with biblical values of stewardship and self-care.

    • Engage children in physical activities that promote overall fitness and teamwork while emphasizing the joy of physical activity and the importance of caring for one’s health as part of God’s plan.

The CrossTrain Kids Mission

At CrossTrain Kids, we aim to equip pastors and teachers with a Christ-centered curriculum that focuses on physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness and resiliency. CrossTrain Kids strives to strengthen individuals and communities in faith and overall well-being. Rooted in the truth of Scripture, we are committed to cultivating a generation that is resilient, whole, and firmly grounded in Christ. The CrossTrain Kids Team offers dedicated support, training, and resources, guiding the program’s implementation in schools and churches.

MEET OUR TEAM

Cyndi Loewen

CrossTrain Kids Author & Curriculum Coach

Cyndi graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in 1979 with a degree in Elementary Teaching. Spent 10 years teaching in six different WELS grade schools before earning a Special Education Cross-Categorical licensure from the University of Phoenix in 2002.

Dedicated 19 years to special education, supporting students with learning disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, emotional and behavioral challenges, as well as health-related and brain injuries. Also spent eight years providing early intervention in math and reading for general education students.

Earned a Master’s degree in Differentiated Instruction from Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, in 2010. Continued professional growth with 54 additional credits in special education and disability-related studies.

Retired in the fall of 2020 but remains actively engaged in tutoring students with learning challenges. She is currently supporting the ministry of CrossTrain Kids.

Samantha Bialozynski, EdS & NCSP

CrossTrain Kids Coordinator & Consultant

Attended WELS schools from Pre-K through college, graduating from Arizona Lutheran Academy and completing two years at Bethany Lutheran College. Earned a degree in Psychology from St. Cloud State University before obtaining a graduate degree in School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.

A nationally certified school psychologist, she worked in schools for six years in a traditional school psychology role before transitioning to teaching special education at the high school level, where she worked with students with moderate to severe disabilities. Later moved into a Special Education leadership role in one of Minnesota’s top districts, coaching teachers and supporting due process work. In this role, she supported Federal Setting III programs, working with students who qualified for services due to significant behavioral challenges. She is certified in PREPaRE crisis training and has extensive experience supporting students with trauma backgrounds. Additionally, she has led training sessions on various topics, including emotional regulation, executive functioning skills, trauma-sensitive teaching, and more.

Most recently, worked with a consulting company that coaches teachers and administrators to help them achieve their professional and district-wide goals. For the past two years, has contributed to curriculum development at CrossTrain Kids.

Director of CrossTrain Kids & CrossTrain Ministries

Rick Loewen

Rick served as a police officer for 20 years before transitioning into public ministry. During his law enforcement career, he worked as a patrol officer, narcotics detective, vice detective, and homicide detective. He also trained fellow officers in interviews and interrogation, undercover operations, and crime scene investigation.

While still serving as a police officer, Rick enrolled in the staff ministry program at DMLC and received a divine call to establish the first youth and family ministry program on the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Arizona. WLCFS later called him to develop and implement family ministry programs on a Synod-wide scale. As the director of ministries at WLCFS, he oversaw ministry support services, family life education, and the counseling division.

Rick is currently called by Crosswalk Lutheran Church, where he serves with Crosswalk through its subsidiary ministry, CrossTrain Ministries. Additionally, he serves as the director of CrossTrain Kids Ministries.

Tim Glende

CrossTrain Kids Administrative Operations

Tim Glende has been WELS pastor since 1998, beginning his ministry with a mission start-up in Urbana/Savoy, IL. In 2006, he accepted a call to serve as the associate pastor at St. Peter Lutheran in Appleton, WI. Passionate about preaching and sharing God’s Word, Tim embraces innovative and traditional approaches to connect with people in an ever-changing world.

He currently serves as the Lead Pastor of 922 Ministries in Appleton, WI—a thriving multi-site church that includes St. Peter Lutheran Church and The CORE. Beyond pastoral leadership, Tim has been deeply involved with CrossTrain Ministries since 2010. In 2014, he earned a life coaching certificate and began coaching pastors, a role he continues today while also overseeing CrossTrain and CrossTrain Kids’ administrative operations.

In his free time, Tim enjoys working out, spending time with his wife, Holly, and visiting their adult children and grandchildren.

Shop Our Packages

PRESCHOOL PACKAGE

LIFE SKILLS PACKAGE

K-8 PACKAGE

Looking to Dive Deeper?

Did you know that we also offer consulting to further educate about our packages and techniques? Click the link below to contact us about getting started.