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Welcome to The BRIDGE
It is not hyperbole to describe our current moment—globally, nationally, ecclesially, politically, culturally, epidemiologically—as apocalyptic, in its sense of “unveiling” the deep fissures dividing people and the crumbling infrastructure of our systems and institutions. It is becoming increasingly clear that 21st century church models will not serve the church of the 22nd century.
The “generation gap,” an outgrowth of social, economic, and cultural forces dating back to the 19th century, frustrates possibilities of fellowship between young people and older adults. Many young adults face challenges that did not confront previous generations, such as lifelong cycles of economic instability; increased experience and witnessing of violence; generation-unique benchmarks for adulthood; significantly high reported rates of depression and loneliness; and navigating digital, virtual, and in-person relationships.
Hope for Challenging Times
Consequently, many congregations feel (and are) unprepared and ill-equipped to minister with young adults as they face these challenges. The resulting chasm can make it difficult for young adults and churches to see each other as beneficial relationship and ministry partners. Even worse, fear emerges and stifles meaningful exchanges across generational bounds, particularly when congregations must move beyond the walls of their sanctuaries to engage constituents of another generation.
In these challenging times, people of faith are pressed—and inspired—to find new ways of creating community and supporting spiritual growth. Developing these new models of communal and spiritual growth requires an intergenerational transfer of wisdom and innovative ideas that ensure the Gospel message is translatable in worship, mission, and practice.
The BRIDGE Initiative strives to create connection and healing among and between young adults and Christian congregations by:
- Strengthening communities and invigorating the 21st century church by connecting the gifts and values of young adults in their twenties with the divine mission of congregations.
- Addressing the social, generational, and theological breaches that frustrate relationships and possibilities for transformation.
- Creating innovative spaces that connect young adults’ talents and needs with the lived wisdom of churches, community groups, and Candler initiatives.
To accomplish these objectives, The BRIDGE Initiative is partnering with Fear+Less Dialogues, an organization founded by Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling Gregory C. Ellison II that creates unique spaces for unlikely partners to see gifts in others, hear value in stories, and work for change and transformation in self and others.
Our Spring 2026 round represents the final BRIDGE cohort
This round builds on several years of partnership and learning alongside congregations and young adults. As the initiative concludes, this final cohort invites churches to experiment, reflect, and contribute to a growing body of insight about how belonging, belief, and practice take shape within congregational life.
Congregations may request up to $10,000 per award. Please fill out our interest form to get started.
The BRIDGE has officially launched its final round of congregational grants to support young adult ministry innovations.
We seek to intentionally partner with you as you explore possibilities for innovative young adult ministries in your communities and begin to complete the grant application. The official grant application is in-depth. Therefore, to begin, please complete the Interest Form. We will then reach out to work collaboratively with you throughout the grant application process.
Timeline:
- Grant Interest Form: Rolling and as soon as possible
- Grant Applications due: April 24, 2026
- Funding decisions announced: May 12, 2026
- Grant distribution period: May–June 2026
If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive information, please sign up here.
Institutions:
Turning academic research into practical resources to help make the church the best place for young people to grow
Qualitative and quantitative research on the inner and outer lives of young people, ages 13 to 25.
Books:
Back-Pocket God: Religion and Spirituality in the Lives of Emerging Adults
Coming Up Short: Working-Class Adulthood in an Age of Uncertainty
Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties
Lilly Endowment Inc.
Candler School of Theology’s BRIDGE Initiative is funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. “to help congregations find new ways to engage and support young adults.”
Lilly Endowment Inc. was founded in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. for the “promotion and support of religious, educational or charitable purposes.” Throughout its history, the Endowment has sought to nurture the human spirit, intellect and character. When once asked what the main purpose of the Endowment should be, Eli Lilly said, “I hope we could help improve the character of the American people.”
The Lilly founders viewed character and human development in the context of community and encouraged unselfish concern for the welfare of others. The value they placed on philanthropy, which was in large part motivated by their religious faith, was expressed by Eli Lilly when he said: “Owing everything we are to the past and present generations, each of us must be willing to give unstinted help to others.”
Meet the BRIDGE Team
Dr. Elizabeth Corrie
Co-director, The BRIDGE Young Adult Ministry Innovation Hub; Professor in the Practice of Youth Education and Peacebuilding
Elizabeth Corrie’s teaching draws on commitments to both peace with justice and the education of young people, particularly the development of teaching and ministry that empower people for global citizenship. She joined Candler’s faculty in 2007, and has served as director of the Youth Theological Initiative (YTI) for high school students, as well as Candler’s Religious Education program. Her research interests include ministries with youth and young adults, transformative pedagogy, theories of nonviolence, and conflict transformation. Corrie is the author of Youth Ministry as Peace Education: Overcoming Silence, Transforming Violence (Fortress Press, 2021), a project that draws on her years of youth ministry work and focused on creating a new approach to youth ministry that teaches young people how to overcome disempowerment and transform violence in their communities.
EMAILecorrie@emory.edu
The Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Ellison II
Co-director, The BRIDGE Young Adult Ministry Innovation Hub; Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling
Gregory C. Ellison II joined the Candler faculty in 2009. His teaching draws primarily from his work with the organization he founded called Fear+Less Dialogues, a nonprofit organization that creates unique spaces for unlikely partners to have hard, heartfelt conversations on taboo subjects like racism, classism, and community violence. Ellison’s research focuses on caring with marginalized populations, pastoral care as social activism, and 20th and 21st century mysticism.
Ellison is also the author of two books based on his research over the last decade, Cut Dead But Still Alive: Caring for African American Young Men (Abingdon Press, 2013), and Fearless Dialogues: A New Movement for Justice (Westminster John Knox, 2017), and is the editor of Anchored in the Current: Discovering Howard Thurman as Educator, Activist, Guide, and Prophet (Westminster John Knox, 2020).
EMAILgelli01@emory.edu
Young Adult Wisdom Consultants
D’Marquis Allen
D’Marquis Allen is an experienced project manager and management consultant with a passion for making organizations run better and be better in the world through innovation. After earning his BA in creative computation from Southern Methodist University, he spent the first five years of his career leading projects across the utilities, oil and gas, and retail industries with a focus on organizational change management.
In 2021, D’Marquis enrolled as a dual degree student at Candler and Emory’s Goizueta Business School to pursue Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. D’Marquis is an ordained itinerant deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and shares the denomination’s commitment towards justice, healing, and liberation for Black people. He currently resides in Atlanta, and when he is not at the driving range practicing his golf swing, can be found bass fishing, reading, playing pick-up basketball, cycling with friends, and spending time with family.
Aileen Nicolás
Aileen Nicolás (she/her) is a dedicated lay leader within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. She graduated from Candler in the spring of 2024 with her Master of Divinity. Aileen holds a master’s degree in geography from the University of Georgia. Her academic pursuits primarily revolve around religious education as pedagogy and working with youth, particularly those from Latin American immigrant communities. Her research focuses on empowering and engaging young individuals, both within Georgia and nationwide. During her leisure time, Aileen can be found taking walks around the city, enjoying quality time with her two cats Frijolito and Odin, tending to her virtual farm on Stardew Valley, and eagerly seeking opportunities to savor the delights of Korean cuisine.
