This spring issue summarizes upcoming events, scholarships, and resources for youth and young adults, including activities at the 2025 Michigan Annual Conference.
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 pastor.westbloomfield@gmail.com or Lisa Batten, Connectional Ministries Team staff member, at lbatten@michiganumc.org. They would be glad to help you.
Events and Experiences
2025 Michigan Annual Conference
In addition to a hospitality suite where there will be refreshments and space to relax, two young adult activities will be held on Thursday, May 29:
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- Mini golf outing at Pirate’s Cove in Traverse City, sponsored by the Board of Young People’s Ministries. Time slots begin at 4:30 pm. $30 for individual golfers. $100 for a team of four. Click this link to register.
- Trivia night at 9 pm. Form a group and show up. Cash donations will go toward the Michigan Conference’s Connexion summer intern program.
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 lbatten@michiganumc.org for the Zoom link.
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 peer group meetings will give them connection as they discern their call as a lay person, deacon, or elder, or pursue 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. Intern applications for this summer are due May 1.
More info? Young adults interested in being an intern can apply by completing this form.
Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools internship
What? 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 Servant Leader Intern 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, from June 3-8, 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 also 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 lbatten@michiganumc.org.
Urban Methodist Youth Camp
What? Since 2009, the Urban Methodist Youth Camp has brought youth together for daily devotions, Bible study, engaging lessons, recreation, and creative activities like Bible trivia, praise dance, swimming, football, and fashion fun.
Who? Youth entering 6th through 12th grade. Young adults, from ages 19 to 30, are also needed as camp counselors.
When and where? July 27 to August 1 at Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center in Dowling, Michigan. Camp counselors must attend two required trainings. The first mandatory training will take place from May 9-10 at Wesley Woods. The second training will be on June 21 at Downriver UMC in Taylor.
More info? Read this article to learn more about this year’s camp experience. Click this link to register. The deadline for counselors to apply is June 14. If you have questions, email Tiali Boayue at boayueka@msu.edu.
Global Young People’s Convocation 2026
What? This event, which happens only once every four years, is a chance to connect, learn, and lead alongside young Methodists from around the world. It’s a celebration of the connectional relationships we form through discipleship in The United Methodist Church.
Who? Designed for those in the age range of 12-35, and those who lead those ages in ministry.
When and where? July 7-11, 2026, in Dublin, Ireland.
More info? Registration will open soon, but click this link to pre-register and you’ll be notified once it’s time to register. Need help fundraising? Visit the FAQ section on this informational web page for travel tips, budget planning, and scholarship opportunities.
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.
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 prattgji09@gmail.com.
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. 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. 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
- Camp Michigamme in the Upper Peninsula
- Grace Outside (Michigan Area United Methodist Camping)
- Lake Michigan Campground in Pentwater
- Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center in Dowling
- Lake Huron Retreat Center in Burtchville
- Lake Louise Camp & Retreat Center near Boyne City
Scholarships and Grants
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. The deadline has been extended to April 18 for those seminary students seeking an M.Div. or D.Min. or individuals taking courses in pastoral counseling. Click this link to learn more.
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.
Last Updated on April 16, 2025