Central Florida Partnership Helps Bring StoryMakers Curriculum to Honduras

During his presentation at the 57th Annual Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, the Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen of the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras shared some exciting news: StoryMakers materials had arrived in his diocese, where they would soon be available for use. The announcement of delivery to Honduras of the creative curriculum for children and youth capped off a two-year quest that began at a previous Central Florida Diocesan Convention.

Introduction

“Two years ago, while walking through the Convention exhibit hall, I met two young women working the crowds at a small booth,” Bishop Allen explained earlier. “I stopped, we talked and they introduced me to StoryMakers. I was immediately intrigued, but I had no idea that brief encounter would grow into something so meaningful.

“Later that same day, while attending another workshop, I was shocked when my name was called over the loudspeaker,” he continued. “I was told someone was looking for me. To my astonishment, it was those same two young women from the StoryMakers booth. They were there to gift me an entire StoryMakers starter kit – materials, vision and encouragement to begin. I was honestly flabbergasted.

“Since then, we have gone back and forth through countless emails – question upon question,” he said. “What do you need? How much do you need? How many Sunday school teachers do you have? Will the materials be in English or Spanish? It felt endless at times. But with joy and gratitude, I can say, ‘The StoryMakers materials are here.’”

Central Florida’s connection with StoryMakers began soon after the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb’s consecration as bishop, when he decided to encourage use of the curriculum in the diocese. “I’m grateful for StoryMakers because its curriculum is focused on Jesus Christ and overflows with gospel comfort,” Holcomb said in introducing the program. “The Scriptures tell the story of God’s redemptive work in the world, and StoryMakers does a spectacular job of engaging youth at every age with that narrative and drawing them into it personally.”

Expansion

Central Florida partnered with StoryMakers to make the curriculum more affordable for churches, offering a 50% discount through the partnership. And after Bishop Allen connected with StoryMakers at the 2024 Diocesan Convention, Bishop Holcomb and diocesan leaders worked to ensure Central Florida’s Companion Diocese also had access to StoryMakers at a significant discount.

StoryMakers, which has translated all its materials into Spanish, has a global division that offers curriculum to international partners. “We are thrilled about our budding partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras, a collaboration that will support the next generation of children and families in new and meaningful ways,” said Jackie Jones, director of creative partnerships for the nonprofit. “As we expand our international reach, we remain dedicated to equipping churches and ministries with imaginative tools that spark faith, wonder and spiritual formation across cultures.”

And Allen intends to help with that international expansion beyond his diocese. “I’ve spoken to some of my colleagues in Province IX about StoryMakers,” he said. “Through a partnership with a diocese in the U.S., the Diocese of Ecuador is now involved with StoryMakers, and we’re getting another U.S. diocese to partner with the Diocese of Colombia to be able to make StoryMakers available to them. Beyond that, StoryMakers also has a training program in Spanish to train Sunday school teachers. So all this is coming together perfectly.”

“Your generosity has not only provided resources, but it has also affirmed a vision for faith formation that will impact our children, families and teachers for years to come,” Allen told the bishop and the Rev. Wes Dubic, chair of the Honduras Commission and priest assistant at St. James, Ormond Beach. “Because of you, stories of faith will be told, shared, lived and remembered.

“Thank you for believing in this ministry,” he continued. “Thank you for walking with us. And thank you for helping us shape the faith stories of the next generation.”