Last month, fifteen young adults completed initial training as they began to serve churches and nonprofit ministries through the Michigan Conference’s Connexion summer intern program.
Fifteen young adults are now serving around the Michigan Conference as part of the Connexion Young Adult Summer Intern Program. In last month’s week-long training, which was held both virtually and in person, interns learned about trauma-informed leadership, human-centered design, and faith principles of charity and justice, and also practiced improv. Using James 2:14-26 as a guiding scripture, participants engaged in contemplative practices and biblical study, which shaped their daily experiences and allowed them to reflect on their thoughts and feelings.
Thanks to the generosity of United Methodist churches through their contributions to Ministry Shares, interns have received their initial training and will meet weekly for ongoing peer community and support. Conference staff members ask the people of the Michigan Conference to pray for these fifteen young adults as they begin a summer of faith formation and leadership development.
Thanks to Ministry Shares, young adults are serving seven weeks with these United Methodist local churches and EngageMI partners: Cass Community Social Services, Utica UMC, Redford Brightmoor Initiative, Portage: Chapel Hill UMC, Petoskey UMC, United Methodist Ministries of Mecosta County, Okemos Community Church, Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery at Detroit: Central UMC, and the Michigan Conference young adult ministries.
Reflecting on their Connexion training, three young adults commented:
“I was nervous about coming to a new place with people I don’t know, but everyone was so welcoming, and I learned a lot.”
“The training retreat helped me grow in faith. I hope to continue growing my faith over the summer.”
“I have a better understanding of charity and justice and how I can do both.”
Connexion is the latest incarnation in a long line of rich formational programming initiated by our annual conference. The eight-week internship is for post-high school young adults aged 18 to 27. It is a grassroots program that mutually benefits young adults and United Methodist ministry sites, nurturing young adults with gifts and graces in their own communities. Rooted in Wesleyan theology, Connexion builds weekly gatherings for interns to meet one another and ministry site leaders, offering spiritual development, discernment opportunities, and support. Click to learn more about Connexion.
Last Updated on June 17, 2025