| The strongest predictor of lasting faith? An adult who knows your name and prays for you. Intergenerational Prayer Partners makes that happen. |
What if one of the most powerful things your congregation could do for its youngest members cost nothing, required no new staff, and brought joy to your oldest members at the same time?
The Rev. Chris Harris of Christ Church Cranbrook, Michigan, makes the case for a simple practice: pairing children with older adults as prayer partners. Research from the Fuller Youth Institute’s Sticky Faith project shows that the strongest predictor of lasting faith in young people isn’t youth group or mission trips—it’s having a “web of adults” beyond their parents who know them and pray for them.
Intergenerational prayer partners builds exactly that. And along the way, it helps transform a multi-generational church into a truly intergenerational community — where coffee hour feels more connected, the Peace takes on new meaning, and elders discover a renewed sense of purpose.
Read the full article for practical steps on how to launch this ministry in your congregation—including how to make matches, structure your kick-off event, and what to expect as the relationships grow.
Formation 