Engaging Young Adults
Engaging Young Adults (EYA) is a program for US-based churches and faith communities nationwide. Through a 12-week guided process, teams from faith communities research and listen to young adults in their broader community, discern indicators of “good” based on young adults’ needs and desires, brainstorm new ways of engagement, and prototype new initiatives or programs with young adults. Monthly virtual courses, regular opportunities for group workshopping and discussion, one-to-one coaching by young adult ministry innovators, and regular group spiritual direction for pastors or team leaders create a robust, grounded environment for individual and team growth, experimentation, and fun.
EYA is open to any Christian church, ministry, or faith community that desires to more deeply engage young adults beyond the “walls” of their church/community. Leaders who apply commit to building a team that has the desire and capacity to fully participate in guided sessions and in team/community research, brainstorming, planning, and prototyping. Due to the generosity of a Lilly Endowment, Inc., grant, this program is currently offered at no cost to the participating faith communities.
The timeline and application link are included below
- June 30, 2025 – applications due
- Early July 2025 – participants selected and notified
- July-August 2025 – EYA leaders solidify teams
- August 15, 2025 – program begins
- Late November 2025 – coaching/classes officially conclude prior to Advent
- Early 2026 - program showcase and celebration
Our paid Ministry Innovator Internship brings together people from a variety of backgrounds in a 1-year program that equips them to harness the power of their imaginations in the service of the Church and the world. The program begins in January with an immersion experience to help form the interns and orient them towards the frontiers of modern ministry. Throughout the Spring semester, interns take a course called "Innovative Ministry by Design," learning tools of design thinking to develop new ways to approach old problems. During the summer, participants prepare a course based on the principles they've learned, then proceed to teach that course to church leaders in the fall. Interns earn $4000 and the associated graduate-level courses are free.
The internship is open to adults 23-29 years old who live the in continental United States and are eligible to work in the US. This opportunity is open to Wesley Theological Seminary students, Washington Theological Consortium students, and any young adults who are not currently enrolled in seminary or who have not completed graduate theological studies.
2024 Ministry Innovation Interns
Ministry Innovator
Troy received a Master of Science degree in Finance at Howard University and serves as Director of Inclusive Capitalism at the Milken Institute. He is also the chair of the St. John Community Development Corporation and has worked as a venture investor and financial analyst. Troy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Community Development from Howard University.
Ministry Innovator
Adriana is a family-oriented Puerto-Rican residing in Homestead, Florida, dedicated to serving her community with passion at a nonprofit called Branches. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Communications and Media, and her love language is ice cream.
Ministry Innovator
Abby is a first year M.Div. student at Wesley Theological Seminary, pursuing ordained ministry in the Virginia Annual Conference of the UMC. She has worked as a campus minister at several colleges and founded a non-profit geared towards providing mental health services to young adults. Abby holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Justice and Human Rights from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She has an abiding love for coffee and her two cats, Nutmeg and Saffron.
Ministry Innovator
Cassie is a Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Centenary United Methodist Church in Macon, GA . She has also worked as a Ministry Coordinator with the Wesley Foundation of Macon. Cassandra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Wesleyan College in Macon, GA
Ministry Innovator
Jacqueline is a second year M.Div. student at Wesley Theological Seminary and currently works as the Director of Young Adult Ministries at Clinton FUMC in Clinton, OK. She has worked previously as a youth director and lay speaker at various other United Methodist churches in the conference. Jacqueline holds a bachelor’s degree in religion from Oklahoma City University.
Ministry Innovator
Mikyle works as a Mission Specialist and Administrative Assistant at the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (USA). She is also a board member at the C.I.R.C.L.E. Community Advisory Board and is on the staff of Abolition House. Mikyle holds a Master of Business Administration from the Joseph M. Katz School of Business, a Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky.
