Hear from Our Co-hosts at the Conference!
Research in Action: A Conference on Gen Z, Mental Health & Religion is just TWO days away, and we’re convening hundreds of people from across the country to hear from Springtide Research Institute and other experts in this 90-minute conversation about The State of Religion & Young People 2022: Mental Health–What Faith Leaders Need to Know.
You’ll see the latest mental-health research from the largest Gen Z data set in the nation, hear from Gen Z themselves, and gain insights from our special guest, Serena Bian, Project Co-Lead for Loneliness & Connection for the U.S. Surgeon General.
Then, listen to reflections in our breakout room conversations, empowering you to turn the tide for young people everywhere. We are thrilled to co-host these breakout sessions with four dynamic organizations represented by standout leaders. Meet our co-hosts:
Rabbi Elan Babchuck, Executive Vice President
Rabbi Elan Babchuck is a rabbi and entrepreneur who spends much of his time exploring the rich intersections between these two traditions. Ordained as a rabbi in 2012, he also received his MBA that year. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President at Clal, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and the Founding Executive Director of Glean Network, an incubator, and network for entrepreneurs who are building new models of faith in action, which partners with Columbia Business School.
Kara Eckmann Powell, PhD Executive Director, Fuller Youth Institute Chief of Leadership Formation, Fuller Seminary
Dr. Kara Powell is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary, and Fuller's Chief of Leadership Formation. Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women You Should Know,” Kara serves as a Youth and Family Strategist for Orange, and also speaks regularly at parenting and leadership conferences.
Brad M. Griffin, MDiv Senior Director of Content Fuller Youth Institute
Brad M. Griffin is the Senior Director of Content for the Fuller Youth Institute, where he develops research-based training for youth workers and parents. A speaker, writer, and volunteer youth pastor, Brad is the coauthor of over a dozen books, including 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager, Faith in an Anxious World, Growing Young, several Sticky Faith books, Every Parent’s Guide to Navigating Our Digital World, and Can I Ask That?
Imam Abdul-Malik Merchant, Representative/Facilitator
Imam Merchant, a MWF board member, currently serves as the Resident Imam of the Muslim American Society Community Center in Alexandria, VA (MAS–DC) and a Youth Counselor at All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS). After completing his undergraduate program in Islamic Studies from Umm al-Qura University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Imam Merchant returned to Boston in 2016 to take a leadership position primarily focusing on spiritual care and counseling in New England's largest mosque. Afterward he served as the Muslim Chaplain at Tufts University and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. In the Spring of 2020, Imam Merchant completed a Master of Theological Studies at Boston University’s School of Theology and was awarded the Tisch Faculty Fellowship and Boston Bridges Fellowship upon graduation.
Chris Leach M.Div, MSW, Director of Strategy and Formation
Chris Leach serves as NFCYM’s Director of Strategy and Formation, where he helps the NFCYM staff and members stay on track to accomplish their goal of bringing young people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and growing their spiritual lives. Chris resources and supports the ongoing formation of those who accompany young people through webinars, project teams, training programs, and conferences.
Come join us for these important conversations! See you on Wednesday, Oct. 19!
