This spring issue highlights upcoming events, scholarships, and resources for youth and young adults, as well as their leaders, that churches can feature in their publications.
Do you have questions about any of these resources or need more information? Contact Rev. Paul Reissmann, chair of the Board of Young People’s Ministries, at [email protected] or Lisa Batten, Connectional Ministries Staff member, at [email protected]. They would be glad to help you.
Events and Experiences
Young Adult Discernment Cohort
What? This monthly online small group is for young adults seeking to travel toward God’s call in their lives. Are you wondering what’s next in your life? Are you considering making a change? Are you at a crossroads? Participants will meet monthly to learn and practice tools for clarity in decision-making within a peer community, led by skilled facilitators Cora Glass and Carl Gladstone. Topics include preparing for the journey, forming a fellowship, shooting for the moon, there be dragons, and basking in where we’ve arrived.
Who? Young adults, 18 to 30.
When and where? The cohort will meet via Zoom through May 2026. Each session is unique, allowing young adults to join as their schedules allow. The exact day and time each month will be set to accommodate everyone’s schedule.
More info? Review these materials to get a sense of what is discussed in this small group. To register or ask questions, contact Cora Glass at [email protected].
Summer Employment Opportunities
What? Two United Methodist-affiliated ministries are looking for young adults for short-term jobs this summer. Motown Mission, a work mission and service trip destination in and around Detroit, is seeking volunteer coordinator, kitchen coordinator, and site director positions. Lake Louise Christian Community, a camping and retreat center in northern Michigan, is needing staff members to assist with facilitating summer camps and programs.
Who? Motown Mission: young adults, 18-29. Lake Louise: adults 18+ and a high school graduate or equivalent.
When and where? Service weeks for Motown Mission in Detroit run from June 7 through August 1, 2026. Camping at Lake Louise in Boyne Falls runs from June through August 2026.
More info? For Motown Mission, visit their website for job description and application details. For Lake Louise, visit their website for job description and application details.
Summer Youth Trip to Washington, D.C.
What? The Michigan Conference is organizing a trip for youth to visit our nation’s capital this summer, in lieu of the Global Young People’s Convocation. This opportunity will include visits to sites during our nation’s 250th birthday celebration and an interactive educational program at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill. The General Board of Church and Society, with offices located in the United Methodist Building, will lead the program.
Who? Youth, 12 to 18.
When and where? July 5-11, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
More info? Interested youth should contact Dokoda Holt-Sharp, one of the trip leaders, at [email protected] by May 1 for more information. The next delegation meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, at 5 pm ET for those who are ready to join. Read this news article to learn more about the trip.
Exploration 2026
What? Exploration creates sacred space for young adults to be in meaningful fellowship, passionate worship, theological reflection, and practical workshops as they discern whether God’s call on their life is to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church. Exploration is sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Who? Young adults, 18-26.
When and where? November 6-8, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.
More info? Sign up to receive updates for the event this fall.
Mission and Service Opportunities
These are listed in order of length of service, from short-term to long-term opportunities.
NCJ Youth Mission Journey in Detroit
The North Central Jurisdiction (NCJ) Youth Mission Journey will serve with Motown Mission in Detroit from June 21-27, 2026. This is for youth entering sixth grade to graduating seniors and their adult chaperones. Space is limited, so fill out the interest form to learn more. Carl Gladstone will be the site coordinator, and the team will work with community partners in the Detroit area. Learn more about this experience.
Discover … Mission Journeys
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. The program is for young adults, ages 18-35. Learn more about Discover … Mission journeys worldwide.
The Michigan Conference is seeking young adults to join an intergenerational team to Peru in March 2027. Pre-registration is required by October 1, 2026. Learn more about this journey.
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. Learn more about scholarship criteria. UMVIM scholarships are also available, including the Rollins Scholarship, which is specifically for young adults of color. Learn more about scholarships.
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 next in-person training is scheduled for October 1-4, 2026, in Decatur, Georgia (Atlanta area). 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. Learn more about this program and the application process.
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 is October 26-29, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. Learn more about this program and the application process.
Summer Camping Options at United Methodist Camps
- Bay Shore Camp & Family Ministries near Bay City
- Grace Outside (Michigan Area United Methodist Camping), with destinations in Pentwater, Dowling, and Burtchville
- Lake Louise Camp & Retreat Center near Boyne City
Scholarships and Grants
Through the Dollars for Scholars program, local United Methodist churches can support students in their congregation by investing $1,000. That money can be multiplied through matching scholarships from United Methodist-affiliated organizations, including the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan, up to $4,000. As churches plan their annual budget, they should consider this investment. Learn more about this program.
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) awards $2+ million yearly to students attending United Methodist-related schools. Learn more about the scholarships available.
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. Learn more about the scholarships available.
Metropolitan UMC in Detroit offers Centennial Scholarships to help full-time students attend college, university, or graduate school. The scholarship amount varies each year, but recent recipients have received $2,000 each. 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. The application deadline is May 8, 2026. Learn more about this scholarship.
The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan annually supports several scholarship programs for college, university, and seminary students, including one for those pursuing pastoral counseling coursework or a degree. Learn more about the various scholarships available.
Cohorts, Events, and Resources for Faith Leaders
Visit this web page for a 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 campus ministry.
The Michigan Conference has launched a new Young Adult Vocational Exploration Fellowship. Local congregations and nonprofit ministries can receive a $1,000 grant to mentor a young adult who is discerning purpose, vocation, or ministry. Fellowships will be awarded annually; applications will open on March 15, July 15, and November 15 each year.
Grant recipients for summer 2026 are Westwood UMC in Kalamazoo, the NOAH Project at Detroit: Central UMC, and Motor City Wesley campus ministry in the Detroit area. Learn more about the fellowship program.
The Global Youth Service Fund (YSF) and Grants for Ministries with Young People (GMYP) programs will accept applications through April 15, 2026. Several grants are available to support creative and innovative approaches to ministries for, with, and by young people. Learn more about these funding resources.
The Forum for Theological Exploration is seeking applicants for its Discernment Labs, specifically the Church-Related Organizations Cohorts. This 18-month program, which starts in September 2026, is for faith leaders at nonprofits or faith-based service organizations interested in learning, experimenting, and innovating together through peer learning to strengthen how they journey with and support young adults in discernment. Using a grant of up to $15,000, participants will develop a project to experiment with the disciplines in their unique contexts. The application deadline is April 15, 2026. Learn more about this program.
The Forum on Youth Ministry, sponsored by Princeton Theological Seminary, is an annual gathering of people in the church, the academy, and the world who are committed to cultivating and caring for the Christian faith of young people. Designed around a theme that inspires the conversation and content each year, the forum is a place where people of all demographic and denominational backgrounds come together to learn from and encourage one another. Less of a conference that teaches “how-to,” the forum is a creative hub where people gather to ask “how come?” This year’s event will be held from April 28 to May 1, 2026. Learn more about this event.
The Michigan Conference’s new Young Adult Vocational Exploration Fellowship, offered annually, is made possible thanks to generous financial gifts from local United Methodist churches in Michigan through Ministry Shares. Thank you! Learn about the impact of Ministry Shares on mission and ministry in Michigan and around the world.
Last Updated on April 14, 2026