Congregational Participants
Master Cohort
Our Innovation Hub runs a two-year program. The four congregations below are our pilot cohort, launching August of 2017. They spent ten months in a learning process: the goal was to apply human-centered design theory to young adult community engagement. After researching, training, and testing, they presented the Lily Foundation with their proposals. In spring of 2018, they received a grant to invest with young adults over the next two-three years. During this second year, the Wesley Innovation Hub walks side-by-side with these congregations, continuing human-centered design-thinking processes as all participants continue to learn and grow.
allsoulsdc.org
2300 Cathedral Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008
"[This] process helped us name a call to foster trust by offering experiences of hospitality and restoration while nurturing authenticity and alignment, in individuals, and hope in the world around them. In the same way that All Souls became a place of hospitality to the gay and lesbian community when other churches were not so welcoming, we now seek to open our doors to the young adults who call our neighborhood home -- often for a semester or two at a time."
- All Souls Innovation Hub Team
emoryfellowship.org
6100 Georgia Ave NW
Washington, DC 20011
"We [have] discovered that community is found and formed when you allow young adults the space and comfort to express and address their personal needs and concerns. Also by helping them to discover and live out their purpose."
"The initiative provides a loving and non-judgmental community for young adults to discover themselves by 'doing.' We want young adults to experience a loving community that demonstrates a life in Jesus means to be W.H.O.L.E. (Well physically, Healed emotionally, Obedient spiritually, Loved unconditionally, Empowered financially)."
- Emory Fellowship Innovation Hub Team
reidtemple.org
11400 Glenn Dale Blvd
Glenn Dale, MD 20769
"We [have] learned several important things that contribute to building authentic relationships with young adults at Reid Temple. One of those is having the boldness to respond to the pressing topics that are affecting their everyday lives. It is not enough to merely mention pertinent issues, but rather young adults desire deep conversations, actionable plans, and an impactful way to contribute their vast resources."
"The goal . . . is to meet young adults where they are, by being relevant and engaging. We also want to engage in faith-based experiences that are non-threatening or “off putting” to our peers but rather welcome them as they are in a space where they already feel safe."
- Reid Temple Innovation Hub Team
Second Cohort
These fifteen congregations embarked as a cohort August of 2018. The course of their year will parallel the Master Cohort's first months with the Innovation Hub: from fall to the spring, they will participate in a learning process to implement human-centered design theory into community engagement with our target demographic, young adults. In spring of 2019, they will be applying for a Lily grant to fund innovative young adult engagement.
chumc.net
421 Seward Sq SE
Washington, DC 20003
"We know that walking with young adults helps the church as a whole grow in love and service. We appreciate the energy, enthusiasm, openness and flexibility that young adults bring to the church. We value their creative and innovative thinking which can broaden our perspective on important issues. It had been our experience that Young Adults 'don't play' around issues of justice and demand more of us, which helps CHUMC be her best self. It is our job and joy to help young adults, and others, identify their gifts and participate and contribute in their unique ways."
- Capitol Hill/The Well Leadership Team
cumc.org
52 Randolph Road
Silver Spring, MD 20904
“Young adults bring to the church new approaches to ministry that bring new life to a church. Young adults continue to help me expand my ministry with new innovative approaches to reach new generations for Christ.” – Dr. Michael W Armstrong, Pastor
“I believe young adults need developing their relationship with God along with development of their careers and families. I would love to understand how to meet their needs in a changing culture that is centered around technology and social media. I know they can bring new life and direction to our church and community. Learning how to get the message of Jesus Christ into this population is a personal passion.” -Mrs. Margo Smith, Team Member
covenantdc.org
3845 South Capitol Street
Washington, DC 20032
“I have always felt that Young Adults are what keep a church viable. This age group contains the members who are most likely to be in touch with social and theological changes in society; and it is them who will continue to challenge the church to be relevant to a changing world. I am excited about the possibilities for our young adults members as we all venture out to change the world with Christ in our hearts and his teachings in mind. I am excited to grow with this group of people through life milestones, seeing one another grow and change spiritually, physically and emotionally.” - Rev. Katrina Walk, Young Adult Leader
eumclaurel.org
10755 Scaggsville Road
Laurel, MD 20723
"Young adults bring the gifts of passion for life's big questions and a belief that they can change the world. Churches need the passion and hopefulness of young adults. Young adults also bring the gifts of creativity and innovation to the church. Young adults need the gifts of wisdom and support that come from intentional relationships with older adults.” - Rev. Stephanie Vader
"I am passionate about engaging young adults in my congregation because I am a young adult. I want to be able to build community with individuals that are going through similar life events as their peers." - Arlene Chen, Team Member
300 A St NE
Washington, DC 20002
"Personally, one of the reasons for my passion for young adults is because I have nine that I’ve raised myself who are mostly in the young adult zone. I also saw the negative impact of what ineffective ministry to young adults and youth could do." - Phil Burrell, Team Member
"We have to get involved and switch up the feel of the church. Even if I can relate to some of the things that go on, a lot of my friends couldn’t unless we reach them where they are." - Azhaa Jones, Team Member
mccdc.com
474 Ridge St NW
Washington, DC 20001
“I have a sense of hope, engagement and encouragement when I am around young adults. I am caught up in their enthusiasm, pain and optimism.” - Rev. Cathy Alexander, Associate Pastor
“I’m very excited for this opportunity—not just to participate and provide my ideas, but also to learn what other like-minded young adults are doing in this space to be innovative, yet still keep God’s message in mind.” - Juan Garcia, Young Adult Ministry co-lead
mcleanbaptist.org
1367 Chain Bridge Rd
McLean, VA 22101
"So often the idea of calling is only talked about in regards to young adults discovering their employment path or starting a family. Instead I see young adults as having a calling to be prophetic to the church and the world. They have ideas and passions that matter and that call us all out to take action in the world. I love how they call on me to be authentic, to practice what I preach and to engage in meaningful acts in my community. I want more people to grow through their relationships with young adults, not just giving to the relationships but seeing the value they bring and giving them a 'real' place in leadership because the church and the world needs it." - Rev. Meg Thomas-Clapp, Minister to Youth and Young Adults
metropolitaname.org
1518 M St NW
Washington, DC 20005
"There is a great potential in the power of young adults to make a difference in the community around them. Their tenacity matches that of their forbearers and speaks deeply to the passion that they possess for what is just. In addition, young adults are an embodiment of what a God-presence looks like in community. They recognize themselves as members of something greater and welcome the spirit in that space--that is a gift to be valued in the church." - Rev. Terrance Mayo, Associate Minister
"Being a young adult myself, I see the impact that young adults have on the worship experience as well as the fresh insights on traditional worship and church activity. It is imperative that we embrace the gifts that young adults offer and affirm their presence for the sake of their spiritual journey and the church’s longevity." - Jazmine Brooks, Ministerial Intern
msbcdc.org
1615 Third Street NW
Washington, DC 20002
"I personally enjoy working with youth and young adults to help them discover what purpose God has called them to fulfill, and what limitations are stopping them from fulfilling that purpose. I believe in the power of young people to effect change and tackle vital issues in our community.”- Kyana Wesley, Young Adult Lay Leader
"By engaging the young adults in our congregation, I am helping to create a community that is engaged, growing and working for the Kingdom.” - Min. David Street, Young Adult Minister
mvpumc.org
900 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
"We see an opportunity for growth and engagement with young adults. . . [We have] a desire to both provide an authentic sense of community to those who live in our community and who experience the hardship of being young and on their own in the city, often for the first time. " - Lee J. Schriber, Minister of Discipleship
"I realize how difficult it was in my 20s to find a church that spoke to me. I hope to find better ways of keeping young people involved in the church with ways that reach them. - J. Wesley Glass, Team Member
nkumc.org
2181 Baltimore Rd
Rockville, MD 20851
"When I witness their spiritual growth and transformation gradually I am excited." - Yi Keyarae, Pastor and Young Adult Group Director
"I believe that our generation needs revival. For this purpose, we need support to have fellowship among young adults. - Hoeun Kim, Team Member
nationalchurch.org
3401 Nebraska Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016
“Young adults bring new ideas, new passion, and needed critiques to the established structures and traditions of the church. Young adults are generally more connected to what is going on in the wider culture and can help the church refocus its message to be engaging and active in the 21st century.” - National UMC Team
oakdale.church
2613, 3425 Emory Church Rd
Olney, MD 20832
"Young Adults tend to be more diverse, have more energy, and are often innovators themselves with fresh ideas and perspectives. They are not stuck in the “how we’ve always done it” mentality and are more willing to take risks and try new things. And I love discipling them and watching them open up to and then grow in Christ as they experience his love and forgiveness and as find their passions and purpose in Him." - Rev. David Deans, Associate Pastor
"My personal relationship with God has blossomed during this time of my life through my church and the people I have encountered. I would love for other young adults to experience the same love for Jesus and feel the same of community as they go through this transitional time." - Allyson Atkins, Team Member
thirdstreet.org
1204 3rd St NW
Washington, DC 20001
“I am passionate about engaging young adults in my congregation because their gifts, talents, skills, and creativity are needed to keep the church growing. . . We need the young adults and the gifts God has place in them so that we can be the best we can be and draw others to Christ.” - Rev. Keisha Patrick, Youth and Young Adult Pastor
“Bringing in younger adults starts with the young adults that are currently in Third Street, and we should be willing to step up and help the church grow in the community.” - Jasmyn Ferbish, Young Adult Lay Leader
