Teegan Owen, 17, demonstrates his skills at Serious JuJu skate park in Kalispell, Montana. Photos by Hunter D'Antuono / Composite illustration by Claire Doyle Ragin
Serious JuJu is a ministry that meets young people where they are -- in a skate park.
Riley Singleton, a volunteer assistant strength-training coach, lifts weights in one of the temporary outdoor shelters created so that teen participants can keep training during the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Matt Overton
Physical labor and activity have been a boon to teens during the pandemic, leading a youth pastor to realize that the physical matters -- to us and to God.
Parents and professionals are working to provide safe and meaningful formation for youth this summer. Photo courtesy of Episcopal Church in Minnesota
Christian professionals and families partner to experiment with innovative approaches to youth formation in a socially distant environment.
Written by four faith leaders with deep connections to youth ministry, "Delighted" was published in April. In this excerpt, co-author Wesley Ellis reflects on how churches can offer joy and authentic friendships to young people.
Fishers mend huge nets used to catch salmon off Alaska's Harvester Island. Holes, torn by sea lions, seals and boat propellers, are repaired by hand. Photos by Gretchen E. Ziegenhals
Taking the time to fix what is torn can build strength and resilience. What would it mean for young people to learn the art of mending early in their lives?
"God is Love" is a ministry of The Robloxian Christians church, which exists online.
Does a virtual church for children and teens have any lessons for “real-world” churches? Yes, says the founding pastor of The Robloxian Christians.
The Rev. Matthew McNelly, far right, on the water with teens and a summer intern with GoFish!
GoFish! Ministries takes kids out on Washington’s Snake River to share life together and earn money through a state program that pays anglers to catch an aggressive species of fish.
Bigstock / Siam Pukato
Why do we expect young people to be naturally hopeful? Looking honestly at a broken world and resolving to live in hope anyway requires experience, writes the director of the Thriving in Ministry Coordination Program at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.
Chicago high school students from The Faith Community of St. Sabina's B.R.A.V.E. program (Bold Resistance Against Violence Everywhere) along with other high school from the neighborhood around St. Sabina attend anti-gun violence rally and march on the South Side. Photo by Anne Ryan
Youth on Chicago’s South Side are taking anti-violence work into their own hands. Rallies and protests are just part of a campaign that also includes advocacy and policy change.
The SHINE conference offers a chance for young Latinas in Texas to gather and learn. Photo courtesy of Brenda Rincones
When the Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas reached out to young women, they were overwhelmed by the response. Hundreds of young Latinas gathered at the SHINE conference to talk about everything from suicide to teen pregnancy.