Elevate: Connecting Generations

Seven years ago, leaders at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa, sat down with a pressing question: How can we foster deeper, more meaningful intergenerational discipleship between our youth and the adults in our pews? The result of that inquiry was Elevate, a program that has since become what education director Jean De Vries calls the “shining star” of the congregation’s ministry. What began as a pilot program for a small group of 7th and 8th graders has blossomed into a foundational element of the church’s identity.

Elevate was born out of a longing for connection, said De Vries, a member of the Children's Ministry Leaders Network with Thrive. She recalls a pivotal, Spirit-led meeting where the staff discussed a seemingly straightforward concept: What if kids chose an adult they felt comfortable with to meet periodically during the education hour? At the time, the team wondered, “Could it really be that simple?” They decided to move forward with a “let’s try” attitude, and they soon witnessed the profound impact the initiative made on the church’s culture.

Within just one year, the program yielded powerful stories of friendships forming between 7th graders and senior members of the congregation. The core goal has remained consistent: to ensure that every young person in the church feels connected, seen, and heard. This success led the church to expand the program, which now spans through the 12th grade.

The process of building these relationships with students begins in the 6th grade. The church invites the students and their parents to engage in thoughtful conversations about which adults in the congregation the students would feel most comfortable meeting. Families submit three potential names to De Vries and the church staff, who then go through a formal process of inviting one of those adults to become a partner for that specific student.

Unlike many youth programs that rotate leaders annually, Elevate pairings are intended to last. The goal is for the student and the adult to maintain their partnership from the 6th grade through high school graduation. De Vries noted that these bonds can become so strong that the friendships have extended into the students’ years beyond high school.

Once a month, from September through April, Faith Church sets aside its traditional education hour specifically for Elevate partners to gather. The atmosphere during those mornings is described as beautiful, with young people and adults spread throughout the church building engaged in deep conversations. While the church provides discussion guides to help facilitate the time, many pairs prefer to simply chat and share their personal faith experiences. Every session concludes with the partners praying for one another.

However, the Elevate experience is not confined to the church walls. Adults are encouraged to maintain contact with their students between their scheduled Sunday meetings. This often results in supportive get-togethers, such as sharing ice cream on birthdays, attending the student’s sporting events or school concerts, or simply checking in for a quick chat before Sunday morning worship begins.

One of the program’s most unexpected outcomes has been its impact on the adults involved. While the program was designed to benefit youth, the staff quickly discovered that the adults felt equally valued, loved, and cared for by their younger partners. This mutual encouragement has become a “delightful added blessing,” representing a living example of the covenantal promises made during baptismal vows.

The program has also provided a unique support system for parents. Seeing other adults in the church family speaking into the lives of their children provides a significant source of encouragement for mothers and fathers as they navigate the challenges of raising their children in the faith. The depth of these relationships is visible during major milestones, such as when partners go through the profession of faith process together.

The statistics of the program reflect its impact within the church community. In a congregation of 400 active members and 110 families, there are currently 55 active Elevate pairs. De Vries noted that she is rarely turned down when inviting an adult to join; most are thrilled and eager to participate. To ensure that the program remains safe and effective, the church also holds annual training sessions covering safe church policy and yearly goals.

At its heart, Elevate allows young people to see that faith can be an up-and-down climb for people of all generations, and that it is okay to wrestle with difficult questions. The church asks adults to treat their youth partners like the “MVP” (Most Valuable Person) of the church each week, a sentiment that the youth frequently reciprocate. Through Elevate, the members of Faith Church are learning and growing together as a practical embodiment of the family of God.