Scene from our First Interview for the IYS Story Project

“Oh my! Today, we had our first IYS Story Interview, and I still have no words! All I can say is that our Youth have SO much to say about being the church, and when generations get together to share mutually, lives and faith communities are changed!”
- Valerie Grissom, Project Director

"I really love the whole idea behind these mutual interviews! I feel like they're such a great starting point for opening up a really healthy and meaningful dialogue between our young people'being the future of the church,' but I feel like these interviews really are a way to walking that walk and showing our young people that we truly believe that and that their experiences, curiosities, and questions matter deeply. I can't wait to see how these interviews and the conversations they lead to start to transform our churches and change the way we think about what it looks like and means for our young people to "be the church".
Brandon Wong, Future of Faith Research Consultant for IYS Story Project

Afterward - a note from the interviewing Pastor: “Thank you for asking for my participation. This kind of stuff and the direction of Christ's Body is where I live! This was so cool. [Name of Youth] was both revelation but also confirmation of many things I've already suspected about her. What a uniquely gifted young woman. I was not exactly surprised by some of her insights but her clear passion and enthusiasm for the future not only of The Church but also St. Peters is palpable and I will continue to encourage her. We also think a lot a like even though separated by over fifty years. That says a lot to me, and I'm not sure if it's perennial wisdom or that I'm just a big kid at heart, A little of both I presume. Honestly, I could have chatted like that all day and will sure be intentional in the future with holding conversations. Never once did I feel forced or uncomfortable and I feel so lucky to be a part of figuring out what works and what might be reserved for practical application. Oh I could see these as conversation starters in real time practice, which I think a good part of what Promise and I were engaged in was the practical outcome. Wow. Just wow. God is doing some amazing things and sometimes I can't believe I'm included in some of that.
- Pastor Steve Olson, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church