Become a Formation Co-Op Hub Guide
Help congregations listen deeply, experiment faithfully, and discover where God is calling them in ministry with young people.
The Formation Co-Op is an initiative of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network that partners with congregations to explore innovative youth ministry practices to root young people in a lifelong, transformative faith in Jesus Christ. Through a process of listening, experimenting, reflecting and adapting, leaders cultivate ministry practices that are relevant to their unique context and strengthened through a collaborative learning community.
At the center of this work are Hub Guides.
Why Hub Guides?
One of the most important things we have learned through the Formation Co-Op is the value of accompaniment. Congregations are more likely to stay engaged, experiment boldly, and learn from their experiences when they have trusted leaders walking alongside them.
As the Formation Co-Op enters the final phase of its grant, our focus is on scaling the initiative and laying the groundwork for a sustainable future beyond grant funding. To help make that possible, we are investing grant resources in training and expanding a network of Hub Guides who can bring the Co-Op process to more congregations and provide the leadership that will carry the Formation Co-Op into its next chapter.
LOM Hub Guide Training: November 9-13, 2026
Alongside the LOM Conference at Camp Tejas in Giddings, TX
Leaders connected to LOM are uniquely positioned to host Hubs and serve as Hub Guides. You already know how to build relationships with congregations, develop leaders, create spaces for faith formation, and accompany people through transformational experiences. We also know from our LOM pilot cohort that hosting a hub deepens the camp-congregation connection.
We are excited to continue to partner with LOM leaders as we expand our network of Hub Guides! The Hub Guide Training will take place during the five workshop sessions at the LOM Conference. Those selected to participate in the training will commit to:
- Attend all five workshop sessions at the LOM Conference.
- Launch a Formation Co-Op Hub within six months of completing the training.
- Promote and recruit 3-5 congregations to participate in your Hub.
- Facilitate and lead four in-person Co-Op Training retreats, and support leaders monthly through the process.
- Identify and encourage one or more leaders from your Hub to become a Hub Guide, and mentor them as they begin leading Hubs of their own.
Click here for a full overview and expectations for the LOM Hub Guide training.
We want to make this training accessible to leaders who are ready and committed to serve as Hub Guides and launch a hub in their area. Each leader who is accepted and commits to the expectations will receive a $1,200 stipend to help offset the cost of attending the LOM Conference, to be used toward travel and registration (which includes housing and meals).
Application Form
To help us determine if serving as a Hub Guide and hosting a Hub is a good fit, we ask each interested camp to fill out an application form.
- We are able to accept up to 25 participants. The application form will remain open until all spots are filled.
- Applicants will be notified within one week of submitting their application.
- We encourage camps to send two leaders to attend the training and lead their Hub together. Each leader will be given the stipend if accepted. At the training, leaders will learn that leading a Hub works best as a team. Having two leaders attend the LOM Hub Guide training will help them not only launch the Hub, but also train in additional Hub Guide team members. (Don't worry - we will also accept camps who are only able to send one leader.)
- This opportunity is open to any leader connected to an LOM site who has the gifts and passion for this type of ministry: directors, program and support staff, board members, ministry leaders from the community, and those amazing volunteers who care deeply about faith formation.
Apply to attend the LOM Hub Guide Training
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