Faith Listens

ELCA Youth Ministry Network
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. Season 2 Trailer

    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.

    2 min

  2. 05/22/2025

    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/.

    38 min

  3. 05/15/2025

    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.

    28 min

  4. 05/08/2025

    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.

    32 min

  5. 05/01/2025

    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.

    28 min

  6. 04/24/2025

    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.

    37 min

  7. 04/17/2025

    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.

    32 min

  8. 04/10/2025

    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.

    40 min
See All (13)

Trailer

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    ELCA Youth Ministry Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Faith Listens