Faith Listens

About Faith Listens

Welcome to Faith Listens, a podcast brought to you by the Formation Co-Op. The Formation Co-Op is a Lilly funded initiative of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, in partnership with the ELCA, that partners with congregations to explore innovative youth ministry practices to root young people in a lifelong, transformative faith in Jesus Christ. This podcast will help you learn from the first cohort of congregations in the Formation Co-Op. They’ll share their experiences, lessons learned, and stories of growth from their time in the Co-Op. Their journeys offer practical insights and inspiration for anyone passionate about faith formation with children, youth and families. To learn more about the Formation Co-Op visit www.FormationCoOp.org. Faith Listens is hosted by Rozella Haydée White and produced by the Rev. Jason Chestnut from ANKOSfilms.

Publisher

ELCA Youth Ministry Network

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Mar 2025

Latest episode

2 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Keep Listening

   What have we learned when we slow down, listen deeply, and make space for God to surprise us? In this final episode of Season 2 of Faith Listens, we hear wisdom from the congregations featured throughout the season—from youth leading retreats to intergenerational gatherings, sensory rooms, third spaces, and youth councils. Their stories remind us that transformation doesn't always begin with a big idea or a perfect plan. Sometimes it begins with a question, an invitation, or one small step. Throughout this season, we've heard again and again that listening is more than a ministry technique. It's a posture of curiosity, discernment, and trust—a way of listening for the voice of God through our neighbors, our young people, and one another. When we let young people speak for themselves, when we notice the gifts already present in our congregations, and when we give ourselves permission to experiment, new possibilities begin to emerge. You'll hear why it's okay to think small, why we don't have to do youth ministry alone, and why there's grace in not having everything figured out. Most of all, you'll hear a reminder that we're not alone in this work. As we close the season, we're invited to keep listening—to what is bubbling up, to what God might be calling us toward, and to the people right in front of us. Because listening opens us to the voice of God, the wisdom of our neighbors, and the possibilities we couldn't see on our own.

2. 

   26 Aug 2026

   Curiosity Creates Community

   What if the connections we're longing for are closer than we think? In this episode, we hear from Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Owatonna, Minnesota, and St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in San Diego, California. Through listening, these congregations discovered that both young people and older generations shared a deep desire to know one another. Rather than assuming they knew the answer, they took small steps to create meaningful opportunities for connection. You'll hear how one congregation hosted an intergenerational event where youth led conversations by asking adults thoughtful questions, and how another brought generations together around food, conversation, and community. These simple experiments sparked new relationships and reminded everyone that faith is nurtured when generations learn from one another. This conversation reminds us that meaningful change doesn't begin with having the perfect plan. It begins with listening, staying curious, and taking one small step. As we create opportunities for people of all ages to belong together, we discover that God is already at work building a stronger, more connected community.

3. 

   19 Aug 2026

   A Place of Belonging

   What does it look like to create spaces where every young person knows they belong? In this episode, we hear from Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois, and Peace Lutheran and St. Luke Lutheran in Memphis, Tennessee. Through listening, these congregations discovered a deep longing for belonging and responded by creating spaces where young people could feel seen, welcomed, and included. You'll hear how one congregation recognized the needs of families in their community and created a sensory room that allows more young people to fully participate in the life of the church. You'll also hear how another congregation reimagined an unused space as a "third space" - a safe place outside of home and school where youth can gather, build relationships, and grow in faith. This conversation reminds us that welcome is more than an invitation, it's something we intentionally create. As we listen for where God is already at work, we can build communities where every young person has a place to belong.

4. 

   12 Aug 2026

   Listening Changes Us

   What happens when we truly listen? Not just listen to respond, but to be changed? In this episode, we hear from Memorial Lutheran Church in St. Augustine, Florida, and Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Indiana. Although their stories are different, both congregations discovered that transformation begins with a willingness to listen with humility and curiosity. You'll hear how one congregation's listening led to an unexpected partnership that met real needs in their community while opening the eyes and hearts of their young people. You'll also hear how a new youth ministry leader embraced a posture of learning, inviting others to share their wisdom and helping create space where young people could grow and lead.

5. 

   5 Aug 2026

   Letting Go, Making Room

   What happens when we stop trying to control every outcome and start creating space for others to lead? In this episode, we hear from leaders at Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Portage, Michigan, as they share how their ministries have been transformed by empowering young people, listening deeply, and embracing a posture of "yes." You'll hear why thriving youth ministry isn't just another program, it's a catalyst for the whole congregation. Together, these leaders explore what becomes possible when we give young people real agency, trust others with leadership, and begin by listening before we act.

6. 

   14 May 2026

   Faith Listens Season Two Trailer

   Welcome to Season 2 of Faith Listens, the podcast of the Formation Co-Op. This season highlights stories of experiments from congregations across the country who have been part of the Co-Op process — what they have tried, what they have learned, and how the Co-Op has supported them as they explore new ways of rooting young people in a lifelong, transformative faith in Jesus Christ. Through honest conversations about faith, leadership, listening, and community, this season will offer encouragement and inspiration for anyone curious about what becomes possible when we make space to listen deeply and try something new together.

7. 

   22 May 2025

   Episode 12: Congregation Spotlight - St. James Santiago Apóstol

   Meet Jasmine Fiscal and Andrea Olguin-Ledezma, members of the young adult leadership team guiding the children and youth ministry programs at St. James Santiago Apóstol Lutheran Church in Houston, TX. In this episode you'll hear how the care and accompaniment of their Guide Sal helped them grow in their confidence as leaders and how they used new skills to reflect on their ministry with youth, providing deeper connections and engagement. They also share what makes shared leadership work between younger leaders and more established leaders. Referenced in the podcast is Camp Hope, a ministry of LEAD. You can find more information at https://leadconnects.org/camphope/.

8. 

   15 May 2025

   Episode 11: Congregation Spotlight - St. Andrew's Lutheran Church

   Meet members of the Formation Co-Op Team from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Columbia, South Carolina: Paige Gibbons, Deacon Sandra Holland, and Maya. Learn how the Formation Co-Op helped them take the pause they needed to help them get clear on their mission and vision, and how listening has reoriented them to prioritize the voice of young people.

9. 

   8 May 2025

   Episode 10: Congregation Spotlight - Iglesia Santa Cruz

   Meet Yamileth Escobedo and Alejandro Martinez, volunteer leaders at Iglesia Santa Cruz in Chicago, IL, as they share the power of invitation in ministry and being in communities of acceptance. Their listening has opened up space for youth to wrestle with questions of faith and connect their faith to daily life.

10. 

    1 May 2025

    Episode 9: Congregation Spotlight - Gethsemane Lutheran Church

    Meet Ben Buss, Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Columbus, OH, and volunteer leader Mark Keller, as they share how listening deeply to young people and their families is reshaping their approach—from confirmation curriculum redesign to involving youth in music and community outreach. You’ll hear them talk about the necessity of adapting to cultural changes, fostering community, and the importance of spiritual practices.

11. 

    24 Apr 2025

    Episode 8: Congregation Spotlight - Trinity Lutheran Church

    Meet Pastor Michael Jordan and volunteer leader Sherri Oswald from Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton, SD, as they share their journey to develop a Daily Digital Devotion as a tool for daily faith integration, based on what they learned through their listening sessions. You’ll hear the uncertainty and frustrations of trying something new, and how engaging through a guided, collaborative process ultimately leads to deeper transformation and engagement in faith for both youth and adults.

12. 

    17 Apr 2025

    Episode 7: Congregation Spotlight - Mediator Lutheran Church

    Meet the volunteer leaders at Mediator Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, PA: Mary Sharpe-Lewis, Janis Garfield, and Crystal Goodrich. This church family is focused on engaging young people in their immediate neighborhood, creating a community of belonging. Through listening they empowered the voice of their young people to be heard, and shifted their ministry to find new ways to engage youth in living out their faith through word and action.

13. 

    10 Apr 2025

    Episode 6: Congregation Spotlight - Grace-Red River Lutheran Parish

    Meet Pastor Megan Graves and youth ministry volunteer Heather Peterson, as they share the story of the collaborative efforts between Grace and Red River Lutheran churches in rural Hallock, MN. We explore intergenerational dynamics, different decision-making styles of the congregations, and how to foster a shared commitment to youth ministry when you’re in partnership.

14. 

    3 Apr 2025

    Episode 5: Congregation Spotlight - St. Luke Lutheran Church

    “Listening is a deep act of faith.” Meet Emily Brabham, Director of Youth and Ministry Services at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Portland, OR, and ninth grader Margo who serves on their Formation Co-Op Team. Through listening sessions with parents and high school students, they share how St. Luke discovered a deep desire for connection, inspiring new approaches like a Saturday night program to strengthen bonds among youth and families. You’ll also hear how their work has been enriched through the collaborative community and shared trainings of the Formation Co-Op, reminding them they are not alone in ministry.

15. 

    27 Mar 2025

    Episode 4: Congregation Spotlight - Edgewater Congregations Together

    Meet Adriana Rivera and Jordan Collins-Brown from Edgewater Congregations Together, a joint youth ministry of Ebenezer and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago, IL. In this episode, you will hear their unique approach to youth ministry, the challenges they face, and how listening has equipped them to move their ministry forward in transformative ways.

16. 

    20 Mar 2025

    Episode 3: Meet the Formation Co-Op Guides

    The “secret sauce” of the Formation Co-Op is the integral role of Guides assigned to accompany each congregation through the entire process: equipping them to listen to their context, providing feedback and curious questions, and offering encouragement and support along the way. In this episode, Guides from the first cohort share their experience and insights they have gleaned from their congregations. Episode Guests: Sal Espino: Children and Youth Minister, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta, GA Janny Franken: Professional Certified Coach, Frank 'n Sense, Thousand Oaks, CA Kelly Kehr: Youth and Family Director, Grace Lutheran Church, Mora, MN Judy Nuehring: Retired Director of Youth and Family Ministry, Glen Ellyn, IL

17. 

    13 Mar 2025

    Episode 2: Meet the Formation Co-Op Design Team and Program Team

    The Formation Co-Op invites congregations into an intentional listening process that is grounded in emergent strategy and the Co-Op Core Commitments. In this episode, members of the Formation Co-Op’s Design Team and Program Team discuss the development of the Formation Co-Op process, and how this initiative fosters a collaborative community of co-creators and co-learners. Episode Guests: Rev. Dr. Colleen Wyndham-Hughes, Design Team: Associate Vice President for Mission and Identity, California Lutheran University Deacon Jessica Lyles, Design Team: Director for Youth Ministry and the ELCA Youth Gathering, ELCA Rev. Billie Jo Wicks, Program Team: Pastor, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Meriden, MN and Zion Lutheran Church, Ellendale, MN.

18. 

    5 Mar 2025

    Episode 1: Welcome to Faith Listens

    The landscape of youth ministry has changed significantly, yet many congregations and leaders struggle to adapt their ministries in ways that are relevant to their youth and context. Through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment “Strengthening Congregational Ministry with Youth Initiative”, the ELCA Youth Ministry Network is partnering with congregations to explore innovative youth ministry practices in order to root young people in a lifelong, transformative faith in Jesus Christ. In this first episode, Rozella introduces you to the heart and mission of the Formation Co-Op. You’ll hear from Todd Buegler, Executive Director of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, and Catherine Anderson, Director of the Formation Co-Op, as they share how the Formation Co-Op came to be and their hopes for the impact this initiative will have on the church and young people.

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