How A2A Came to Be:

Capital University was recently awarded $1.25 million dollars from the Lilly Endowment as a part of their series of Nurturing Children through Worship and Prayer grants. Our project, Age to Age: Curating Congregational Rituals to Form Faith With and Within Children, will equip faith communities with accessible, culturally competent resources that strengthen the faith of young people. With professional expertise in theology, education, music, accessibility, DEI, and human development, Capital is positioned to empower congregations of all sizes -- and especially those that do not employ professional children's ministry staff -- to provide compelling opportunities to strengthen children's faith. 

Each year, Age to Age will gather ecumenical cohorts of 8 congregations that will meet monthly together to accomplish three goals. 

1. Through monthly remote meetings, we will accompany one another in solidarity as we minister in this precedented era. 

2. Congregations will identify ways that their particular communities might better support faith formation in children. 

3. Each cohort member will be matched with a consultant whose professional expertise matches their particular needs. 

Throughout the year, Age to Age consultants will create and curate resources for cohort members and then help congregations implement learnings in their specific contexts. 

What Sets A2A Apart?

Age to Age's intent is to create and curate faith formation resources that are both accessible and culturally competent. This is vital because, for people to know God, precisely because all people deserve to so that our children can form profound faith that appreciates ways that God's image incarnates within people of all abilities, ethnicities, genders, races, sexual orientations, and more. 

By creating and curating accessible, culturally competent resources, we're ensuring that all children can come to Jesus, even if that means we, like the disciples, need to get out of the way and do some things differently. 

Nurturing congregations, children, and people of all ages for a lifelong journey of faith. 

Congregational Cohort Overview and Expectations

2025-2026

What is an Age to Age Congregational Cohort?

Congregations selected through the application process will engage in a year-long learning journey, partnering with an Age to Age Specialist or Coach* and the partnership of the other congregation. These specialists and coaches are attentive to the ministries and intentions you have identified within the application process and in conversation with the director. This year, there will be eight congregations chosen for this cohort.  

What makes up your Age to Age Congregational Cohort?

Congregations put together a team depending upon the need and capacity. 

Each congregation must have:

• A Congregational Champion who serves as the connector between the grant team and the congregation team. They will convene the team for meetings with the Specialist or Coach.

• The expressed support of pastoral and elected leadership because projects with widespread support of both members and staff are more likely to succeed. 

We also encourage congregations to include:

• A staff person or church leadership team member (elected or appointed) dedicated to the project. This ensures information is shared across multiple layers of congregational life throughout the project. 

• An Age to Age Implementation Team that represents the congregation and its commitment to children’s faith formation. 

  • Essential qualities include: 

    • Love for children and your congregation.

    • Willingness to reflect and dream, rooted in Christian theology and practice.

    • Collaborate with congregation teams (your own & others).

    • Accept accompaniment of a Specialist or Coach.

    • Report experiences to the Age to Age Director.

    • Openness to training

    • Willingness to listen to and learn from others in your own congregation and others in the cohort. 

What is the expected time commitment?

Selected congregations upon entering the cohort should expect: 

• Main children’s ministry leader comes to Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, July 28-30, for the launch of the cohort with your cohort peers.

• Monthly cohort meetings with the eight congregations of the cohort. These will be on the second Thursday of every month at 1:00PM Central, beginning August 14th. 

• Monthly meetings with your Specialist or Coach via zoom towards the goals you are working towards together via zoom.

• Site visit with Director and Specialist or Coach sometime in 2025 or early 2026 at your congregation.

What is the cost to participate?

The Age to Age Initiative having received a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment is able to offer this to cohort congregations at no cost. 

The grant also provides the following benefits for your congregation:

• Specialist or Coach to accompany your ministry innovation project

  • Site visit to your congregation (transportation, housing and meals covered)

  • Monthly online meetings (August-August)

• $750 ‘innovation grant’ towards your ministry innovation project

*Your congregation will be assigned a Specialist or a Coach at the Cohort launch in July based on your innovation project and the needs of your congregation. 

Discover Our New Resource Hub!

Looking for details on ministries, church activities, faith-based resources, or personalized cohort materials? Visit our full Resource Hub by clicking the main tab above. While dropdown menus offer a quick preview, the complete experience—including all the important information—is available on the dedicated page. Don’t miss out!

Q: What is the purpose of the grant?

A: Our project, the Age to Age Initiative, provides faith communities with accessible and culturally competent resources to enhance the faith of young people. Leveraging professional expertise in theology, education, music, accessibility, DEI, and human development, we are, through Capital University, uniquely equipped to empower congregations of all sizes. This includes those without professional children’s ministry staff, offering you effective opportunities to strengthen the faith of children.

Q: How can my congregation participate?

A: Be part of a cohort!

Each year, the grant will carefully select eight congregations, regardless of denomination, to embark on a year-long, purposeful journey dedicated to advancing a vital initiative within their children's ministry. Once your congregational team has chosen an initiative, you will be partnered with an Age to Age Specialist and Coach to begin your journey. 

To be considered for our next cohort  (beginning September 2026, applications due March 2026)

• Review the Congregational Cohort Overview and Expectations

• Submit an application.

Become active in the Age to Age Resource Hub

Our goal is connection! Connection to you, to resources, and most of all to each other. Our team is in the process of creating a resource hub that is both accessible and culturally competent. Access to the resource hub is forthcoming! 

Do you have resources you'd like to add to the hub? Email us at kbjorke@capital.edu. 

Q: What is the cost to participate in either the Age to Age Cohort or the Age to Age Resource Hub?

A: Participating in the cohort for the Age to Age Initiative has been covered through the generosity of the Lilly Endowment. Our hope is that what you might receive from Age to Age you would in turn share with others. 

Dates to know for 2025-2026 Cohort 

April 2, 2025                                                     Cohort 2 Notified

July 28-30, 2025.                                 Cohort 2 Leaders Launch 

                                                                    @ Capital University

August 14, 2025                        Cohort 2 Zoom Call @ 1pm CST

September 11, 2025                  Cohort 2 Zoom Call @ 1pm CST

October 9, 2025                        Cohort 2 Zoom Call @ 1pm CST