Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network

Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network A network of young Christian leaders cultivating relationships, creating resources, & sharing stories

"Rest isn't a reward; its the infrastructure that the work runs on". Leadership isn't always about action. Sometimes fai...
06/16/2026

"Rest isn't a reward; its the infrastructure that the work runs on". Leadership isn't always about action. Sometimes faithful leadership can look like rest, slowness, and listening deeply.

Polaris Fellow, Ray’chel Angel Wilson visited Sabbath Life Retreat Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma and experienced God through rest, prayer, and being outdoors. Pleasantly surprised to find that this retreat center was local to her, Ray'chel realized through her experience that sometimes the resources we need are closer than we think.

"The retreat made it plain: a weekend away can't undo a Monday-through-Friday that has no margin. So outdoor time, prayer walks, and unscheduled stillness are now non-negotiables in my week, not bonuses."

It's gardening season, and some of the best theology happens with your hands in the dirt. 🌱 🥕 In our latest Substack, Vi...
06/12/2026

It's gardening season, and some of the best theology happens with your hands in the dirt. 🌱 🥕

In our latest Substack, Vic Collins shares how 21 acres of regenerative farmland at Princeton Seminary became an unexpected place of belonging for them. Growing up Black, non-binary and q***r in the American South, Vic never thought they'd work on a farm let alone go to Seminary. But God steered Vic to a farm in New Jersey where companion planting, chicken coops, and the doctrine of the Trinity all point to the same truth: difference isn't a liability. It's the whole design.

"In the divine dance of difference and communion, I glimpse the q***r nature of God’s relationship to God’s self—a pattern echoed throughout the natural world. Every creature is its own Person, its own unique entity, yet all of creation is alive with divinity and interdependence."

Read Vic's story about soil, sacred community, and finding your place in God's wildly diverse creation. Full story here: https://polarisleadershipnetwork.substack.com/p/q***rness-creation-and-belonging

At the CILAC Freire in Cuernavaca, Mexico, Polaris Fellow, Madelyn Johnson's language immersion experience expanded her ...
06/05/2026

At the CILAC Freire in Cuernavaca, Mexico, Polaris Fellow, Madelyn Johnson's language immersion experience expanded her view of leadership, social responsibility, and community building work. Through this immersive experience, student participants like Madelyn get to experience the daily life of the people of Cuernavaca through food, culture, and hospitality.

“I experienced God in the generosity of my host parents. They were so welcoming and hospitable to me, and I felt very cared for in their storytelling, shared meals, and shared space.”

What does it take for young adults (ages 22–32) to truly flourish? If your research, practice, or scholarship engages th...
06/04/2026

What does it take for young adults (ages 22–32) to truly flourish? If your research, practice, or scholarship engages that question — we want you on our stage this October. 🌟

Polaris is now accepting proposals for short, TED-style talks at the Young Adult Faith and Flourishing Conference on October 16–17, 2026 at Princeton Theological Seminary.

We're especially looking for voices from doctoral candidates, early-career faculty, practitioner-scholars, and historically underrepresented communities across theology, health, psychology, education, and beyond.

Suggested Topics:

🌱 Faith, Abundance & Wholeness
🧠 Faith, Mental Health & Resilience
🤝 Identity, Formation & Belonging
🙏 Embodiment & Whole-Person Care
✝️ Suffering, Trauma & Hope
🔬 Theology Meets Public Health
🌍 Ecumenical & Cross-Disciplinary Insights

8 presenters will be selected. Travel, lodging, and meals are covered.

📝 Submit your proposal by June 30! → link in comment below 👇

"There was a moment while walking through Morro da Providência, the oldest Favela in all of Rio, when I continued to see...
05/29/2026

"There was a moment while walking through Morro da Providência, the oldest Favela in all of Rio, when I continued to see streams of water flowing through the concrete. It reminded me of Isaiah 43:19: 'I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.' It offered me hope because as I saw the stream of water I also saw so much life. I saw working-class people who keep the city running. I saw people who have come together to offer a solution to the government's neglect, and it showed me that God is still the living water who is committed to making ways for the least of these."

Via his Polaris fellowship, Matthew Rivera had the opportunity to travel to Brazil to Morro da Providência, the country's oldest favela.
Working and living alongside local community members, Matthew witnessed the way God is woven into complex histories and the ways beauty and grief can coexist, as he experienced a vibrant culture that emerged from a violent colonial past. Matthew left inspired to stand in solidarity with his siblings of the African diaspora in Brazil and commit to remaining in conversation with global partners.

Sometimes ministry happens in the places we overlook. Polaris Fellow Maria Korchak learned "that it is the work that goe...
05/18/2026

Sometimes ministry happens in the places we overlook. Polaris Fellow Maria Korchak learned "that it is the work that goes on behind the scenes that is as important as the boots-on-the-ground “ministry”, during her time volunteering at the St. Nicholas Children’s Home in Medzilaborce, Slovakia.

Despite a language barrier, Maria was able to build impactful relationships with the children of the home and learn practical leadership skills from Pani Dagmar Hučková, the Home's director.

"Organizational health is the foundation for any ministry, and the time and energy it takes is often not acknowledged. I came to understand that the administrative work within any church organization - though often tedious and at times disheartening - ultimately yields profound fruit for the mission of the ministry."

This Mother's Day we are grateful for the women leading Christian communities, such as the Tongan elders of First United...
05/10/2026

This Mother's Day we are grateful for the women leading Christian communities, such as the Tongan elders of First United Methodist Church in Honolulu. Polaris Fellow Hanna Newcomer spent her fellowship learning journey meeting with mothers of the community to reflect on her leadership as a young woman. The experience caused her to reflect on our responsibility for the village - even if you're not a parent. As
one elder told Hanna "to be woman is to be a mother even without having birthed any children". Mothers may lead the way with exemplary acts of love and sacrifice, but we are indeed all responsible for the flourishing of our communities. Today we honor and thank Mothers for setting the example for all of us.

While gifting them natural leis hand tied by members of the community, church members thanked these women for ensuring the survival of their tradition in diaspora.

Where do you see Christian leaders birthing, nurturing, and sustaining communities?

Last month's Leadership Summit left us full of new friendships, powerful stories, and the kind of connections that don't...
05/07/2026

Last month's Leadership Summit left us full of new friendships, powerful stories, and the kind of connections that don't fade when the weekend ends. And let's be honest, the Princeton Theological Seminary campus in full spring bloom didn't hurt either. 🌸🌿

Over the coming months, we'll be sharing the stories told at the Summit right here and in our Substack and general newsletter. Want them straight to your inbox to make sure you don't miss it? Sign up at the link in the comment below.

We'd love to know: What's blooming for you this spring?

Thanks to Raygen Samone for capturing the vibrancy of this event.

04/28/2026

Earlier this month, 25 young adult leaders and their mentors gathered on the Princeton Seminary campus for the Polaris Leadership Summit and something special happened. 🌟

Guided by author and storyteller Mark Yaconelli and Princeton Seminary scholars, participants spent time in reflection, community, and the kind of deep listening that makes great stories possible.

Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing some of those stories here which feature raw honesty and reflections on Faith and Advocacy, bravely told by our young adult participants. We think you'll be moved.

And if this sounds like your kind of gathering - stay tuned. This fall's Young Adult Faith and Flourishing Conference will open the doors wider, welcoming all young adult leaders and the organizations to attend. Bringing together keynote speakers and voices from across disciplines and Christian traditions to discuss what it means to support the next generation in flourishing. 🌿 More info at the link in comment 👇

"I was beginning to realize through these divine, slow, and profound moments that my entire purpose in that moment was t...
04/23/2026

"I was beginning to realize through these divine, slow, and profound moments that my entire purpose in that moment was to breathe and be awe-struck. There was no need to attend to anyone or anything, to fix anything, to manage anything, or to try to propel any energy forward. All I had to do was breathe and be filled up by the mystery of God's divine imagination." 🍃

Will Rand visited Osa Conservation Campus in Costa Rica as a learning journey with support from his Polaris fellowship. While tending to the regenerative farm, working with ecology students, and learning from local leaders, Will marveled at God's creation. You can hear Will share about his experience in the comment linked in our bio 🔗 👇

When did you last take time to behold and be held by creation? 🌅

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