Supporting and connecting young adults as they grow in faith and discover who God is calling them to be in the world.
Explore recommended faith formation resources and events for Emerging & Young Adults Ages 18-30
"Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; God will not fail you or forsake you."
- Deuteronomy 31:6
Young Adult Ministry Resources
ELCA Partnerships: The ELCA also partners with a variety of organizations that publish young adult ministry resources, including:
- Augsburg Fortress — the publishing ministry of the ELCA
- ELCA Young Adults — Abide virtual small groups meet weekly
- Young Adult Ministries — The ELCA and our partners offer a variety of places, spaces and opportunities specifically designed to support and connect young adults as they grow in faith and discover who God is calling them to be in the world.
ELCA First Third of Life Faith Formation Resources for Young Adults: Visit ministrylinks.online above to browse many more ministry and seasonal resources for young adults! Some highlights include:
Faith Lens: Weekly Bible studies that engage youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.
Fuller Youth Institute — Research into resources. Helping the church become the best place for young people to grow.
Milestones Ministry — Recognizing God's presence in everyday moments
Ministry Architects — Free Tools and Resources for Young Adult Ministry
PASSAGE Curriculum — ELCA Youth & Young Adults has prepared this handbook for leaders to use with PASSAGE groups of high school seniors.
Peer Ministry Leadership — A ministry for all denominations based on Christian theology which flows from the Good Samaritan Story, with emphases on relational caring, welcoming and affirming skills.
Practical Resources for Churches (PRC): Young Adult Ministry — The NC Synod is excited to be a member of the PRC to offer you these resources for free! What is the PRC? Their mission is to provide faith communities time-effective, cost-efficient, and results-oriented programs and services to help your congregation fulfill your mission and ministry. Click the link above to have access to a plethora of webinars, materials, and other resources!
- ELCA Recommended Practices for Lifelong Faith Formation
- Growing With — Every Parent's Guide to Helping Teenagers and Young Adults Thrive In Their Faith, Family, and Future.
- Parent Cue — Be the parent you want to be.
- Phase Guides — Make the most of every phase in your child's life.
Young Adult Faith Formation Events & Opportunities
ELCA campus ministry is a Lutheran ministry for students, faculty, staff, and others on campus—not just a ministry for Lutherans. There is an ELCA presence at more than 180 state and private colleges and universities, with cooperating congregations in campus ministry at an additional 400 campuses nationwide. These ministries work directly with young adults of all backgrounds, offering support, service learning experiences, programs and worship opportunities.
The mission of campus ministry in the ELCA is to invite people in academic settings to engage more deeply with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the community that bears his name so that they can discover and fulfill their vocation as disciples.
Here in North Carolina, we currently prioritize 13 campus ministries. Visit the NC Synod Campus Ministry page for contact information for each of these ministry leaders. They'd love to connect with you!
Appalachian State
Duke
East Carolina
Elon
Lenoir-Rhyne
North Carolina Central
NC State
UNC Chapel Hill
UNC Charlotte
UNC Greensboro
UNC Wilmington
Wake Forest
Western Carolina
Young adults interested in peace, justice and service ministries may be interested in a year of service through the following opportunities:
There are about 145 outdoor ministry programs affiliated with the ELCA in the United States and Puerto Rico. Every summer and often throughout the year, these sites hire young adults to lead outdoor ministry programs. Young adult leaders grow in self-confidence, independence, healthy peer relationships, leadership skills, problem solving and spirituality.
NC Synod - Outdoor Ministry
As a synod, we are blessed to have two wonderful Lutheran Outdoor Ministry organizations right in our backyard!
Check them both out to learn more about the camps, retreats, and job opportunities they offer:
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries is a professional organization for camp and retreat center leaders. Visit to learn about membership, educational events, outdoor ministry curriculum, job openings and resources.
NC Synod LYO Assembly - Young adults are invited to participate as YARPs (Young Adult Resource Person) at this annual youth event held each February.
ELCA Youth Gathering – The ELCA Youth Gathering is the largest gathering of Christian youth, young adults and adults in the country that happens every three years. Young adults are invited into servant leadership roles for the Gathering and its pre-events, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event and the Definitely-Abled Youth Leadership Event.
Federal Chaplains Ministry – There are about 160 ELCA pastors who serve as reserve and active duty military chaplains, walking alongside young adult men and women, nurturing them as leaders in ministry centers throughout the armed forces.
ELCA Colleges and Universities – The ELCA is in partnership with its 26 colleges and universities in settings where matters of learning and faith are engaged.
Seminaries – There are eight institutions forming faithful, wise and courageous people to lead the church in the 21st century. We need passionate, joy-filled and adventurous young adults who want to make a difference by bringing healing and hope to others in this broken world.
Journi - A Digital Leadership Tool to accompany you through your leadership journey.
Becoming a Pastor/Deacon - Learn more about the NC Synod Candidacy Process.
This group of ministries seeks to connect young adults engaged in justice and advocacy with opportunities to live out their faith in radical ways.
Resources
- A New Advocacy Resource for Young Adults from the ELCA, January 2021
