Youth Leadership Commission

Teenagers reflecting the EDOLA rule of life: Walking in love, making Jesus known, transforming lives.

Scripture for the work

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Mission

EDOLA Youth guides teens in cultivating faith that lasts and an identity grounded in Christ during their formative years.

Who We Serve

We serve teens and young people in the diocese.

Get Involved

Email Lauren Dunn at ldunn [at] edola [dot] org

In Action

Walking alongside teens.

EDOLA Youth is not an extracurricular activity. It is set apart. It’s forming lifelong faith in teens and establishing their identity in Christ during a turbulent time when their identities are being forged.

Happening: A Christian Experience

Happening is a youth-led weekend retreat for students in grades 10–12. This powerful experience invites youth to deepen their relationship with God by asking real, honest questions about faith and exploring the many ways God is already present in their lives. Set within a supportive, encouraging, and joy-filled community, Happening offers space for meaningful conversations, worship, laughter, and growth, often becoming a weekend that youth remember as a turning point in their faith journey.

More About This Ministry

We pair high-interest events with deeply spiritual formation. There are theological underpinnings to everything we do. We also follow traditional Christian practices in all of our planning, with the hope that youth will adopt these same practices in their personal and spiritual lives.

When planning events, activities, or curriculum, we consider three driving questions:

Why God?

Why Christian?

Why Episcopal?

Traditional Christian practices:

Christian community

Prayer

Discernment

Sacraments

Eucharistic living

Doing justice, loving mercy, walking humbly with God

Radical hospitality

Growing in grace

Youth Coordinator

Lauren Dunn
ldunn [at] edola [dot] com

News & Stories

Happening #85

May 15, 2026 | Youth

Happening #85 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge on April 10 -12 was everything we hoped for! To see our young people contribute so deeply to this weekend was a joy to witness — and what it's all about. A heartfelt thank you to Lauren Dunn, Sarah Bolt, and Fr....

Resources

Looking for resources to engage children younger than high school?

Families, Parents, & Children

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Devotions & Prayers

God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer p. 829

God of all creation, as young adults, help us to embrace our true potential in this period of development, discernment, transitions, and creativity. Inspire our communities with your Spirit to open themselves to our leadership and insight, creating safe and challenging spaces for us to live into the full stature of Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Lord of souls, who has called us to service in your Church; all of our trust is in you, for in you are the springs of our life. Abundantly give us your Holy Spirit, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, and use us as it pleases you for the glory of your Name. Empty us of self, and fill us with the meekness of wisdom. Increase our faith, mellow our judgment, stir our zeal, and deepen our affections. Choose for us the work we are meant to do, the places in which we work, the successes we have, and the harvest we reap. Preserve us from jealousy and impatience, from self‐will and depression. Make us faithful unto death, and give us at last the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Websites

The Episcopal Church Youth Ministries

d365

Forma

Ministry Architects