FAITH FORMATION
The 25:35 Crew Update | February 24 & 25
“I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat… I was a stranger and you welcomed Me.” - (Matthew 25:35)
The 25:35 Crew exists to live out Christ’s compassion in real and practical ways. Each time we gather, we strengthen one another so we can better serve our community with love, dignity, and purpose.
Why We Gather
Encourage. Learn. Support.
Our gatherings give us space to share stories, celebrate wins, navigate challenges, and remind each other why this work matters.
Growing Through Best Practices
A few core principles guide us:
Our Ongoing Call
As we carry the heart of Matthew 25:35 into our communities, let’s continue encouraging one another and learning together. When we serve others, we are serving Him. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation. February dates are set to gather at 7:00 p.m. If you are unable to join the conversation in your district, please register for the date that works best for you.
Bishop’s Laity Leadership Convocation | March 20-21 in Delaware, OH
You are invited to gather with Bishop Hee Soo Jung and laity from across the Ohio Episcopal Area for this year’s Bishop’s Laity Leadership Convocation, a two‑day event designed to inspire, equip, and strengthen lay people for ministry in a rapidly changing world. Throughout the convocation, Bishop Jung will guide participants in exploring what it means to lead from a posture of abundant grace. In a season when many congregations are searching for renewed purpose and connection, Bishop Jung’s leadership emphasizes hope, inclusion, and the transformative power of God’s grace at work through laypeople.
We are also honored to welcome Dr. Ashley Boggan as our plenary speaker. Dr. Boggan serves as the General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, where she helps The United Methodist Church understand its past in order to faithfully imagine its future. In her plenary sessions, Dr. Boggan will offer a historical lens for lay leadership—inviting us to learn from our roots, examine patterns that have shaped the church, and discern how history can guide us toward a more equitable and vibrant future for all Methodists.
Woven throughout the event will be meaningful opportunities for laity to connect with one another across roles, regions, and experiences. Participants will have time to share stories, support one another, and learn together in both structured and informal moments of conversation. This year’s convocation also includes dedicated affinity group time, offering space for individuals with shared interests or ministry areas to dream, wonder, and plan together for the future. Whether you’re passionate about discipleship, community outreach, digital ministry, justice initiatives, or congregational care, there will be room to explore new possibilities with others who share your call.
Be sure to invite others to join you this year!
Event Details
Note: If you have a mobility challenge, please be sure to let us know during the registration process. There is a box you can fill out and specify how we can help you. The last day to register is March 6.
Following are ideas from several Christian leaders whose life work is/was focused on faith formation:
“ … a journey through which we open our hearts to deeper connection with God.” – Richard J. Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth
“Christian faith formation is the life-long process of being continuously transformed by God’s abiding love into the image of Christ for the sake of others (or the world).” – Johnny Sears, director of the Academy for Spiritual Formation & Emerging Ministries
“ … a process whereby we adopt practices that help us deepen our openness and receptivity to God’s presence and action in our life.” – Phileena Heuertz, founding partner of Gravity, a Center for Contemplative Activism
“ … the biblically guided process in which people are being transformed into the likeness of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit within the faith community in order to love and serve God and others.” – Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)
“… process of being shaped by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ, filled with love for God and the world.” – “A Call to Spiritual Formation,” 2009
The core of these definitions is a call for believers to become more like Christ, not for oneself, but for the world. So how does this transformation take place?
The basis of this is intentionality and focus, creating the time and space in your life to engage the Holy Spirit. This engagement comes best through the practice of faith disciplines – those practices found in scripture that promote faith formation among believers of Jesus Christ. These practices are a means to an end, the end being Christlikeness.
The basic faith disciplines include:
On the connected pages, you will find resources to aid your local congregation in developing and promoting faith formation in the lives of your people.
Julie Carter
Connectional Ministries Office
Faith Formation Director
(380) 223-9237
The East Ohio Conference Office:
located in North Canton, OH,
near Akron-Canton Airport.
Address:
8800 Cleveland Ave. NW
North Canton, OH 44720
Phone:
(330) 499-3972
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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