MEET SARAH

I served non-profit organizations since 2011, always working with youth and children. For 8 of those years, I worked with young children, and their families in faith communities. As a youth worker, educator, and practical theologian, I know youth and young adult ministry is always evolving and changing. I believe strongly in sharing power with and elevating the voices of youth and young adults. I love to work with faith communities as they assess how they can better serve the current (and future) young people in their midst.

Whether it is facilitating a difficult conversation, a Board Training or a Keynote for your youth retreat, I will work with your leadership to establish what best fits your ministry. I know every faith community is different, so I will take the time to customize what works best for your community and in your context. I believe that the Holy Spirit moves in authentic, grounded conversations. Sometimes all it takes is an facilitator who is an outside voice, helping to bring new insights to the surface. I love working with colleagues to determine what will help move your ministry forward. And if you are looking for leadership for your event, Keynoting and Speaking at youth retreats or conferences is one of my favorite things to do!

I believe youth can lead their communities into solidarity with LGBTQIA+ siblings in Christ. Even within the same denomination, faith communities are not in one particular place in terms of affirmation and belonging; I will meet your community where it is. Because I believe in this work so strongly, I am excited to work with communities of all shapes and sizes, including campus ministries, colleges/universities, camps, regional and mid-Council bodies, and congregations. 

For those communities looking to engage in deep work of LGBTQIA+ affirmation and belonging, the following is from my doctoral abstract: 

My doctoral work centered on an affirmation of queer human flourishing in the life of the church. I developed a Youth Ministry Framework centered on eight distinctive themes. The framework outlines how youth workers can share power with youth as adaptive, transformational leaders and co-conspirators in justice. My theological grounding is a communal, embodied practical theology rooted in liberatory educational praxis. It is to live out God’s abundant love through celebrating LGBTQIA+ people and prepare faith communities to welcome better Beloved children of God, who already belong.