Final 'Holy Shift' webinar highlights innovative ministries for young families
'Leave room for God,' says panelist
The third and final installment of the "Holy Shift" webinar series drew 125 attendees from across the country on Tuesday, offering inspiration and practical insight into innovative ministries serving young families.
Hosted by the Rev. Neema Cyrus-Franklin of the PC(USA)’s Around the Table initiative and moderated by the Rev. Libby Tedder Hugus of Resonate Coaching, the session featured four panelists whose ministries are reshaping faith formation for parents under 40. The webinar series was co-sponsored by the Office of Christian Formation and 1001 New Worshiping Communities of the Interim Unified Agency of the PC(USA), Sessions one and two are available online.
The "Holy Shift" series was born out of research conducted in partnership with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by TryTank Research Institute, a venture of the Virginia Theological Seminary. The study explored how young adult parents are shifting their relationship with church, spirituality and faith practices at home.
The first webinar focused on the research findings presented by sociologist Dr. Josh Packard. The second webinar invited participants to dream and imagine new possibilities for ministry.
In the final session, titled "Holy Shift: Part 3 – Doing the Work," four practitioners shared stories of risk, creativity and resilience in their efforts to meet the spiritual and practical needs of young families.
First Light Fellowship: worship in the chaos
The Rev. Kristin Willett, pastor of First Light Fellowship in Anthem, Arizona, described her journey of planting a new worshiping community focused on interactive worship and community engagement.
“We’re not here for perfection,” Willett said. “We’re here for chaos and tantrums and everything in between.”
Willett began by conducting “community exegesis,” asking local parents what they loved and struggled with in their neighborhood. Many expressed loneliness despite busy schedules. Willett responded by creating spaces for authentic connection, including worship in concentric circles, child-led prayers, and interactive sermons.
“The adults benefit maybe even more than the kids do from some of these shifts,” she said. “I wish I had been more confident from the beginning in understanding this was a community for many generations, not just for families.”
First Light Fellowship will be officially chartered on Nov. 8 and recently received a grant for a program called Woven, which integrates children into the fabric of congregational life.
Remix Youth Academy: creativity and connection
Jason Floyd, assistant to the pastor and youth coordinator at Westminster Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles, shared the story of Remix Youth Academy, a summer program that uses music, film, spoken word and visual arts to connect with youth.
“I felt a nudge to connect with people where they are,” Floyd said. “Rather than trying to forge a new path, I wanted to meet them in the things they were already doing.”
Inspired by a seminary assignment, Floyd launched Remix with support from his pastor and presbytery. The program includes Bible study, meals, and hands-on creative workshops. Students produce short films, music videos and spoken word performances that reflect their faith and experiences.
“Having creativity and a resilient spirit is instrumental in this ministry,” Floyd said. “We’re trying to bring it back to full capacity after the pandemic.”
El Camino and Casa Brasil: ministry in two languages
The Rev. Ivette Llano Viano, pastor of El Camino “On the Way” in Lawrenceville, Georgia, described her ministry to Spanish and Portuguese-speaking immigrant families that she shares with her spouse, the Rev. Rafael Viano. El Camino began during a sabbatical and grew into two congregations: one in Spanish (El Camino) and one in Portuguese (Casa Brasil).
“The church cannot substitute the parents’ role in the home,” Viana said. “They have the responsibility of talking to the children about God.” Llano highlighted the challenges of working with families who have multiple jobs and language barriers. She emphasized creativity and described ways the church can support parents in their responsibilities. The ministry finds creative ways to incentivize learning and celebrates achievements of young people to build self-esteem.
“Nothing is perfect, whether it’s a curriculum in Spanish or Portuguese,” she said. “What is consistent is creativity.”
Urban Village: a place of grace
The Rev. Beth Garrod-Logsdon, pastor of Wilmore Presbyterian Church in Kentucky, shared the story of Urban Village, a faith-based community center serving neurodiverse children and their families. Garrod-Logsdon described herself as a “second generation planter” in the life of Urban Village. As a member of the community, a member of the initial planning team and the pastor of a nearby church, Garrod-Logsdon had helped to dream what the community-centered space could be. When the original mission developer, who was a martial arts education specialist, left in 2023 after 4 years, Garrod-Logsdon was asked by the Presbytery of Transylvania to assist. Garrod-Logsdon helped Urban Village discern the needs of the community and the gifts of the ministry and its leaders to become what it is today.
“The seeds we planted weren’t the crops we grew,” Garrod-Logsdon said. “But that’s because God grew the crops that were needed.”
Urban Village offers martial arts, sensory swings, climbing walls and open play. Urban Village has become a hub for families with children on the autism spectrum and other neurodiversities. The center also hosts youth groups, after-school programs and support groups. It has developed space-rental revenue streams that allow it to offer many of its programs for low or no-costs to those who need them.
“Urban Village is a place of grace,” said Garrod-Logsdon describing what they tell families when a child melts down or acts out. “Tomorrow is a new day. We will try again.”
Seeds of wisdom and support
Panelists emphasized the importance of creativity, community engagement and financial sustainability. Many rely on grants, partnerships and alternative revenue streams such as birthday party rentals and craft markets. Each panelist offered words of wisdom to the audience gathered who were themselves thinking of innovative ways to reach families.
“Leave room for God,” Garrod-Logsdon advised. “Sometimes we hold our vision so tightly that we don’t allow God to shape it.”
“Meet people where they are,” Floyd added. “Listen to what they’re already doing and loving.”
“Take a deep breath,” Willett advised, explaining that the seed of the ministry has a long time to grow in the mind of the leader but needs light and air to grow in imaginations of those who are encountering it for the first time. “Invite people to dream the dream alongside you.”
Llano reminded attendees that parents are ministers too. “Embrace the ministry God has given you with love,” she suggested.
This invitation to listen to God and embrace a new ministry taking root in you through love was echoed by the closing remarks offered by the Rev. Nikki Collins, manager of 1001 New Worshiping Communities, who described the program’s opportunities for grants, coaching and training. Collins referred participants to a video archive of new worshiping communities like those of the panelists and invited people to connect through 1001 New Worshiping Communities' web resource.
“If you’re thinking about starting a new worshiping community, we want to serve you,” Collins said.
Cyrus-Franklin closed the session with a benediction: “As the light of God shines from east to west, may we go from this place looking to what is 10% possible with God’s help.”
The original research study of young-adult led families can be found here.
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