Youth Opportunity to Explore Faith and Social Justice Launches from Black Church Development

Youth and Adult Leadership Opportunity Begins This Month

“Faith in Action is an intentional, intergenerational program to engage young leaders and equip mentors with the skills and competencies to transform the world,” says Rev. Nathalie Nelson Parker, the new Team Chair for Black Congregational Development Committee of the North Georgia Conference. “By participating in Faith and Action, young leaders will be prepared with critical conversations, spiritual formation, social discipline, and best practices for justice-driven ministry. Congregations who are committed to the mission of our church to make disciples for Jesus Christ and transform the world should consider registering a group of youth to prepare them to serve within the United Methodist Church and beyond."

Faith in Action will offer relevant, immersive, hands-on ministry experiences commemorating sites of faith and social justice from the Civil Rights era and African American youth civic engagement to memorializing sites from the Trail of Broken Treaties and the Longest Walk.

Latoya Damon, the Black Congregational Development Youth Ambassador, states, “Remembrance, in the Faith in Action Youth Ministry project, is presented as a cultural force. Youth will remember the intersection of faith and justice from a place of empowerment, efficacy, and critical consciousness.” Latoya is a student at Gammon Theological Seminary and serves as the ministry intern to the South West District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. “The Faith in Action Immersive Program not only develops collaborative and intercultural competence within youth leadership cohorts,” Latoya exclaims, “but we also plan to host an annual youth summit led by leaders, exploring contemporary issues of religion, race, and culture.”

The Faith in Action Youth Ministry Program aids local church youth and young adult leadership. “This experience will provide vital community and an immersive discernment experience to help young people get clarity on whom God is calling them to be and how God is calling them to serve in the world,” said Nathalie Nelson Parker. “We are excited to engage young people and strengthen churches with transformational leaders,” she continues. Faith in Action is supported by the General Commission on Religion and Race Action Fund Grant.

REGISTER & LEARN MORE

• Churches, Conferences, and Groups are invited to register now using the YOUTH REGISTRATION.
• Youth Leaders, Seminarians, and Church Leaders are invited to apply using the MENTOR REGISTRATION.
• Download the Faith in Action flyer at FLYER
• For more information, contact Rev. Nathalie Nelson Parker via email at Nathalie.nelsonparker@ngumc.net.