Youth & Children

Freedom Schools offer a summer of possibilities for the next generation

Grounded in history, the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools face the future by forming students from kindergarten through high school.

By Leslie Quander Wooldridge Journalist

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For Black teachers and Black churches: A wonder

The work of African American educators can serve as a model for churches, particularly as some public schools limit curriculum, a pastor writes.

By Candace Simpson Minister and religious educator

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Responding to gun violence

From the archives of Faith & Leadership and others, we offer resources to help Christian leaders respond to recent mass shootings, including guidance on how to talk to children.

Pride and pressure: The Easter speech

A tradition rooted in Black excellence has served as a celebration of the resurrection and a training ground for generations of children.

By Cynthia R. Greenlee Journalist

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Karen-Marie Yust and Erin Reibel: Helping create a space of spiritual nurture for children and their families

Research, social science and of-the-moment culture are adapted and translated in a project to support children’s spirituality.

When the pandemic closed schools, an existing network of congregations and others jumped in to offer meals — and more

Churches, government agencies and nonprofits that already served struggling families responded to the pandemic by ramping up their shared mission beyond providing children with summer meals.

By Dan Holly Journalist

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Women clergy and the pandemic: Weary, but not giving up

In these profiles, four clergywomen share their pandemic stories. Like many American women, they’ve struggled to balance work, home and community in lives upended by the coronavirus.

By Yonat Shimron Journalist

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Changing lives by changing how we live

There are steps we can take to help offset a purpose gap rooted in historical and contemporary oppressions, writes the senior director of learning design with the Forum for Theological Exploration.

By Patrick B. Reyes Senior director of learning design, Forum for Theological Exploration

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'It must be you.' A nonprofit helps Latino Catholic young adults grow in faith and build community

Iskali was created by a 19-year-old to support other young adults in the church. More than a decade later, it offers faith formation, mentorship, scholarships and other opportunities for a new generation to grow in Christ.

By Shanna Johnson Journalist

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Sometimes the best way to move forward is to stop

Rather than pouring time and energy into what’s not working, be willing to stop, listen and try something different, writes a managing director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By Victoria Atkinson White Managing director, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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Eat. Pray. Skate: A skateboarding ministry offers unconditional love to teens

Serious JuJu is a ministry that meets young people where they are -- in a skate park.

By Katie Cantrell Journalist

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