When it comes to the spiritual formation of youth, offering opportunities for them to connect and learn in a safe place is critical. That’s what the 2024 “Grounded” youth event, held at All Saints, Winter Park, on March 1-2, provided for many from across the Diocese of Central Florida. The two-day conference-style retreat created a space for middle and high school-aged youth to connect with other youth, worship together and explore some key ideas in the scriptures with a focus on the gospel and how they could become grounded in their faith.

Alpha USA Network Director Michelle Tepper speaking to youth at Grounded 2024. | Photo: Dan King

It’s also important that youth discover their own way in their spiritual development rather than simply relying on the faith of their parents. “Our goal is to provide a space … where we believe students will begin to recognize this gospel is not something reserved for later in life,” said Stephen Feibelman, youth minister at All Saints. Relating the scriptures to youth where they are is crucial to that process. And that’s exactly what the event’s three main speakers did.

Michelle Tepper, network director, Alpha USA, challenged those present to consider what they are grounding their lives on. “Your life is grounded on something solid if it’s grounded in Jesus Christ,” she told them. In this first session, Tepper challenged the youth to think about the things they value and prioritize in their lives.

Building on that in the second session, the Rev. Jonathan Turtle, rector, Emmanuel, Orlando, said, “Jesus said, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ And I might say to you that this is probably the most important question you can answer yourself.” From this point forward, young people start to build the way they look at the world. Turtle challenged them to nurture their faith through time in scripture.

The Rev. Jonathan Turtle leads the second session at Grounded 2024. | Photo: Dan King

In the final session, the Rev. Dr. Jeremy Bergstrom, rector, St. Peter’s, Lake Mary, addressed how the youth can have confidence in who Christ is and what he’s done for all of us. “God doesn’t need you to impress him,” Bergstrom said. “He just wants you to trust in what He’s already done for you.”

Those in attendance also had the opportunity to participate in a breakout session with some college students to discuss what it looks like to stand firm in your faith after high school, when many young people are starting to step out into the world on their own.

The Rev. Dr. Jeremy Bergstrom presents the gospel to Grounded youth. | Photo: Dan King

The Rev. Garcia Barnswell-Schmidt, Lower School chaplain at Holy Trinity Academy, Melbourne, and one of the three new diocesan youth coordinators, was impressed not only by what was happening, but also by those who came to the event. “I had a chance to speak to one of our students whose experience at Grounded was his first,” she said. “When I asked why he came to the event, he said he ‘showed up because my friend invited me. I’m not a Christian and church is not my thing, but I’m here because my friend asked me to come.’

“This speaks to the influence our friends have on our lives and how a simple invitation can change everything,” Barnswell-Schmidt said.

Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator the Rev. Jared Jones at Grounded 2024. | Photo: Dan King

The Rev. Kevin Bartle, rector, St. Mary of the Angels, Orlando, and another of the youth ministry coordinators, believes events like Grounded are important for the spiritual formation of our youth. “It is always amazing watching young Christians come together to have fun and worship,” he said. “I love that different groups from different churches are able to spend time together and share their experiences.”

“Grounded 2024 was an amazing weekend for the youth groups in our diocese,” said the Rev. Jared Jones, rector of Holy Cross, Sanford, who is also one of the three youth ministry coordinators and primary planner for the Grounded event. “I was most excited that we more than doubled the number of churches that were involved from 2023 to 2024. It’s such a joy to see students from all over the diocese playing and worshipping together, and all of it so that students can continue to hear the good news of what Jesus has done for them.”

On the Sunday after the event, one eighth-grader from St. Edward’s, Mount Dora, spoke with her youth minister about her desire for baptism. It’s clear that seeds planted and nurtured in events such as Grounded are bearing fruit. Some of the growth may have already been on its way for this young woman, but the messages from the weekend certainly stirred her heart toward the importance of taking a big step like this one.

The diocese can look forward to the Grounded youth retreat becoming a regular part of the diocesan youth event calendar, along with Soul in the City and New Beginnings. All will play important roles in the spiritual formation of our youth. Learn more about them at the new diocesan youth website, coming soon; watch the CFE Digital Digest for details.