This winter issue summarizes upcoming events, scholarships, and resources for youth and young adults that churches can promote in their publications.
Do you have questions about any of these resources or need further information? Contact Rev. Elizabeth Hurd, chair of the Board of Young People’s Ministries, at [email protected] or Lisa Batten, Connectional Ministries Team staff member, at [email protected]. They would be glad to help you.
Events and Experiences
Young Adult Discernment Cohort
What? This regular gathering is for young adults who are seeking their next faithful step in life, work, and vocation. Consider joining on Mondays through the remainder of the school year.
Who? Young adults, 18 to 29.
When and where? The cohort will meet online on Mondays, 6:45 to 8 pm Eastern.
More info? No registration is needed, contact [email protected] for the Zoom link.
Seed to Harvest Ministry Incubation Cohort
What? A monthly cohort for individuals or small teams launching a new (or adapting an existing) ministry, program, or event. The cohort will focus on working on creating an effective database, fund development, marketing, systems for success, time management, and launching. Two more related Seed to Harvest Ministry Incubation events will be offered as well, beginning February 27. Sign up for all three and you’ll be eligible for a mini-grant to support your idea.
Who? Adults over 18.
When and where? Seed to Harvest Cohort meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month through May 2025, with two time options (1 or 6:30 pm, Eastern). $30 fee. Click this link to find out when the other two events will be held.
More info? Register by February 12 to join this cohort. Click this link to learn more and register. Click this link to learn more about all three events.
Young adult retreat: Choose Your Own Adventure
What? This event is for young adults seeking time from the daily grind for rest and renewal. Participants are invited to journey alongside others, meeting each other wherever we are in our faith and spirituality. Each day will provide a variety of offerings, and participants will build their day based on learning style and interests. Single or shared sleeping rooms, communal spaces, outdoor activities. Open to the diverse needs of participants including language, ability, socio-economic, orientation, gender, culture, and needs that will be self-identified by participants.
Who? Post-high school young adults, ages 18-30.
When and where? April 4-6, 2025. Lake Louise Camp & Retreat Center, Boyne Falls.
More info? There is no cost, funded by a grant from the Forum for Theological Exploration. If you have questions, contact [email protected]. Register by April 1. Click this link to register.
Connexion summer intern program
What? This Michigan Conference program gives young adults a relevant ministry experience learning and serving in a local United Methodist congregation, nonprofit, or campus ministry. It’s an excellent opportunity for intergenerational ministry as a church lifts up the gifts of young people in their congregation. Weekly small peer group meetings will give them connection as they discern their call as laity, deacon, elder, or another form of professional ministry.
Who? Post-high school young adults, 18-27.
When and where? 8 weeks in the summer, at locations all over the state, with a three-day leadership development training in late May.
More info? Young adults interested in being an intern can apply by completing this form. Intern applications for this summer are due May 1.
Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools internship
What and where? The Servant Leader Intern (SLI) serves as a classroom teacher in a literacy-based summer enrichment program at one of the Michigan Conference’s two Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools in Detroit: Grace Community and Conant Avenue UMCs. The SLI helps to serve breakfast and lunch, leads a literacy rich curriculum during the morning, and leads/chaperones activities in the afternoon. The SLI should have a desire and/or experience working with groups of children, be responsible, be energetic, possess the ability to think on their feet, work well on a team, and be a strong role model.
Who? Young adults who have completed at least one year of college or similar work experience.
When and where? 8 weeks in the summer at one of the two Detroit sites, with a required in-person Children’s Defense Fund National Training June 3- 8, 2025, at Haley Farm, Knoxville, TN. This will be week one of the summer program. All transportation and lodging expenses are paid by the program. Most meal expenses are paid.
More info? Young adults interested in being an intern should click this link to review the qualifications and then apply by completing this form. Applications for this summer are due May 1. If you have questions, contact [email protected].
Ethnic Young Adult internship
What? Are you a young justice seeker eager to explore your faith and identity while deepening your understanding of justice? The Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) program sponsored by the General Board of Church and Society offers a transformative opportunity to engage in meaningful work and advocacy, all while building connections with fellow United Methodists around the world.
Who? Young adults, ages 18-22, who self-identify as a person of color. Member of The United Methodist Church. Academic level of a rising sophomore, junior, or senior in post-high-school studies or employed full-time.
When and where? June 2 to July 25, 2025. Interns in this cohort will be provided dorm-style housing in Washington, D.C., within an intentional community of diverse members from the worldwide United Methodist connection.
More info? The deadline to apply is March 1. EYA interns receive a stipend of $1,700 upon completion of program requirements. Click this link to learn more and apply.
Mission and Service Opportunities
These are listed in order of length of service, from short-term to long-term opportunities.
Discover … Mission journey to Peru
What and where? A Discover … Mission journey, led by Jody Pratt from the Michigan Conference and Steve Blake from the Wisconsin Conference, is planned for Lima, Peru. Young adults will experience project work with Peruvian youth and young adults, grow leadership skills, and develop cross-cultural relationships. Discover … Mission is the young adult short-term mission program of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM), a grassroots movement of United Methodists seeking to put their Christian love into action worldwide. Click this link to learn about other upcoming Discover … Mission journeys worldwide.
Who? Young adults, 18-35.
When? From December 30, 2025, to January 10, 2026. Deadline for applications and deposits is September 1, 2025.
More info? Click this link for more information, including estimated costs and other important dates. If you have questions or wish to register, contact Jody Pratt at [email protected].
Scholarships from the Michigan Conference are available for young adults from a Michigan United Methodist congregation going on a Discover … Mission journey for the first time. Click this link for scholarship criteria. UMVIM scholarships are also available, including the Rollins Scholarship, which is specifically for young adults of color. Click this link to learn more.
EarthKeepers
Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training and incubator program that provides a collaborative space for United Methodists to develop and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, antiracism, community organizing, and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training. Youth, ages 13-18, may participate with an adult parent or guardian. The application for the next online training is March 14, 2025. Click this link to learn more about this program and the application process.
International Track for Global Mission Fellows
The Global Mission Fellows program of The United Methodist Church places young adults, ages 20-30, in social justice ministries for two years of service in international settings (the US-2 track has been paused at this time). Fellows address deep-rooted systems of injustice, working in a variety of areas, including food insecurity, migration/immigration, education, and poverty. Click this link to learn more.
Mission Volunteers
Mission Volunteers are individuals or couples, ages 18 and up, who seek long-term partnerships with communities worldwide and fund themselves. Mission Volunteer opportunities range from working with refugees, children, and youth to serving as a teacher, pastor, camp director, or health care professional. The length of service ranges from two months to more than two years. The next training for Mission Volunteers is March 10-13, 2025, in Toano, Virginia. Click this link to learn more about this program and the application process.
Summer camping options at our United Methodist camps
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- Bay Shore Camp & Family Ministries in east Michigan: Summer camping options for all ages
- Camp Michigamme in the Upper Peninsula: Summer camping options for all ages
- Grace Outside (Michigan Area United Methodist Camping)
- Lake Michigan Campground in Pentwater
- Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat in Dowling
- Lake Huron Retreat Center in Burtchville
- Lake Louise Camp & Retreat Center near Boyne City: Summer camping options for all ages
Scholarships and Grants
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) awards $2+ million yearly to students attending UM-related schools. Applications close April 1. Click this link to learn more.
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. Applications close March 31. Click this link to learn more.
Metropolitan UMC in Detroit offers Centennial Scholarships to help full-time students attend college, university, or graduate school. The scholarship amount varies yearly, but recent recipients received $2,000 each. All students who are active members of a United Methodist church are eligible to apply. Students can reapply each year if they continue a full-time schedule. Deadline for applications is May 2. Click this link to learn more.
The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan annually supports several scholarship programs for college, university, and seminary students. Click this link to learn more.
Events and Resources for Faith Leaders
Visit this web page for an updated list of articles, books, and other resources related to youth and young adult ministry, especially outreach to Gen Z. Also, remember to support our United Methodist campus ministries throughout Michigan. Learn more about each one on this website.
Grants for ministry with young people
The Global Youth Service Fund (GYSF) and Grants for Ministries with Young People (GMYP) programs are accepting applications until April 15, 2025. Funding for selected projects would occur in 2026. Several grants are available to support creative and innovative approaches to ministries for, with, and by young people. Click this link to learn more.
Connexion summer intern ministry site
Churches wanting to host a young adult summer intern through the Michigan Conference’s Connexion program should identify a young person in their congregation who has the gifts and graces for ministry and then complete this application. Site applications for this summer are due March 1.
Last Updated on February 12, 2025