Young Adult and Campus Ministries
Building on the wisdom of churchwide and ecumenical networks, The Episcopal Church is exploring new ways to support people leading vital ministries to young adults—both on and off college campuses.
Through a pilot program, we will be providing funding to dioceses in regions with large university communities and capacity to track results for replicable models that might be brought to scale churchwide. We are also collaborating with Lutheran and Presbyterian campus ministers for professional development and networking opportunities.
In taking a more network- and chaplaincy-based approach, we are drawing on lessons from The Episcopal Church’s largest young adult ministry—military chaplaincy—to see how this model may provide more sustainable, equitable ways to serve students across an inclusive range of post-secondary settings, including commuter schools, vocational schools, and community colleges.
For young adults ages 21 to 35 looking for a transformative experience grounded in service to others, The Episcopal Church facilitates a network offering placements for up to two years in several locations.
Grants
Watch for new grant opportunities for campus ministries in a pilot program focusing on Episcopal dioceses whose regions include major universities. We are excited about how we might identify replicable models of ministry in new and existing programs through this targeted effort in communities with high student populations.
Leadership development and networking
In 2025 and 2026, Episcopal campus ministers had new opportunities to build professional skills and grow their networks with counterparts in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and the Presbyterian Church in the USA. Episcopal Church Center staff sponsored cohorts of campus ministers in attending conferences organized by LuMin, the ELCA’s campus ministry network. These ministries also intersect with Gather, the ELCA’s network for young adults, which is sorted by geographical region.
Service opportunities
Whether signing up for a summer or a year, young adults who participate in the U.S.-based Episcopal Service Corps find opportunities for spiritual growth, caring community, and hands-on justice work.
Military chaplains serve young adults worldwide
A significant young adult ministry for The Episcopal Church is our military chaplaincy program, which offers inclusive pastoral care to thousands of young service members.
