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ENGAGEMENT WITH CHILDREN, YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

The State of Ministry with Children, Youth, and Young Adults

Between 2014 and 2024, for many reasons, average worship attendance in the Ohio Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church fell from 160,987 to 99,584. In 2024, 75% of churches had no young adults in faith formation, 54% had no youth, and 45% had no children. Sunday School participation dropped from 28% of worshipers to 11% during that period. Despite these statistics, we believe faith formation remains essential across generations, and traditional Sunday School shouldn’t be the sole model for teaching the Word of God to grow disciples.

This moment is an invitation for leaders in local churches to reimagine how we nurture members, welcome new generations, and build communities of faith that reflect the hope of the Gospel. The Connectional Ministries Office Engagement with Children, Youth, and Young Adults team is your partner in this effort. In the months ahead, we will explore a variety of approaches to faith formation and worship that foster authentic relationships, engage youth and young adults, and support families in meaningful ways.

We ask every local church congregation to join us in prayer, reflection, and active experimentation. Listen to your neighbors. Pay attention to the voices of children, youth, and young adults within and beyond your walls. Together, we can cultivate faith formation that brings vitality to our congregations and renewed hope to our communities. The future of our shared ministry depends on our willingness to act now – faithfully, humbly, and together.

If you would like to set up a coaching call to explore how to begin this work, please reach out to us. E-mail Rev. Ann Marie Carley, director of Engagement with Children, Youth, and Young Adults, or call her at (380) 223-9369. E-mail Tim Beck, associate director of Engagement with Youth, or call him at (330) 499-3972 ext. 103.

A Uniting Vision

East Ohio Conference Engagement with Children, Youth and Young Adults is living out a uniting vision by bringing together under one umbrella youth, college-age, and young adult ministries. Doing so eliminates the silo effect, and the loss of common goals, that so frequently accompanies singling out ministries by age group.

It is our goal to walk alongside young people as they navigate their faith journey throughout their lives and into adulthood. Engagement with Children, Youth and Young Adults seeks to support the local church and districts to raise up Christian leaders who are disciples of Jesus Christ who then make other disciples for the transformation of the world. We accomplish this through leadership development training events, retreats and network connections.

Upcoming Events

Youth Leader Training Day | Saturday, August 15 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Montrose Zion UMC 565 N ClevelandMassillon Rd., Akron, OH

What if youth ministry didn’t need more programming… but a clearer pathway?

Join youth leaders, volunteers, and ministry teams from across the Ohio Episcopal Area for a day of connection, collaboration, and practical learning. Together, we’ll network, share ideas, have some fun, while exploring a new discipleship-centered approach to youth ministry built for the realities of busy students, churches, and families. You’ll be introduced to the Conference Youth Collective (CYC) — a flexible, practical, discipleship-first pathway designed to help students grow in faith, develop as leaders, and engage alongside peers across the conference.

This isn’t another curriculum or add-on program. It’s an opt-in collaborative movement that gives churches practical tools to help students become grounded followers of Jesus… because student leadership begins with discipleship. Come learn what’s possible when we build something together!

This training is for all people involved in youth ministry. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. The last day to register is August 12. E-mail Tim Beck with questions.

Project Feed | Saturday, November 8 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Kent First UMC, 1435 E Main St., Kent, OH
Come and join us for Project Feed! Together the youth of Ohio will pack meals for families experiencing food insecurity. This is a great chance for youth to serve together in a one-day mission project. You will meet other youth groups from around Ohio while we help make the world a little better, one meal at a time. Our time will be filled with music, laughter, and the occasional shenanigan. There will be no shirts for sale this year. The last day to register is November 4, but space is limited so please register early! Cost is $10 for youth (grades 5-12). Adult leaders may assist in the project, but we are not charging a fee for adults. The goal is to maximize the opportunity for students to experience this hands-on service project together.

Registration and Details