Next Gen Leaders

A new program for young adults (ages 18-35) in the Baltimore-Washington Conference and the Peninsula-Delaware Conference to become: 

  • civic advocates and transformative agents who address social issues in their own  communities
  • familiar with United Methodist theology that inspires social justice
  • learn practical, community-organizing skills
  • engage in legislative action at the local, state, and national level

Participants will participate in: 

  • One retreat in August August 4-6, 2023, where they will receive training on theology, social justice, organizing, and legislation. 
  • Create an action plan that addresses a social issue in their community.  
  • Participants will receive a mentor who will check in on their plan once a month for the duration of the program. 
  • Participants will meet quarterly as a cohort onsite in communities where organizations are engaged in justice work as inspiration for their projects. 

 

Curriculum: 

 

  • Theology & Social Justice (Who We Are as United Methodists)
    • The Social Principles
    • Justice as Spiritual Disciple (Theological Framework/social holiness)
  • Community Organizing & Legislative Skills Building (local, state, and national)
    • How change happens
    • Direct Action
      • Choosing an issue
      • Development of strategy
  • Plan of Action & Next Steps

Dates:

  • Retreat
    •  August 4-6, 2023
  • Cohort Quarterly Meetings
    • November 4th, 2023
    • February 3rd, 2024
    • May 4th, 2024 
    • July 13th, 2024

 

  • Mentoring check-in Zoom calls 
    • The mentor and Mentee will agree on a date and time to meet over Zoom (30 min) once a month to check the progress of the action plan. 

 

Retreat Facilitators: 

 

Dorlimar Lebrón Malavé, B.A., M. Div was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York. As sociologist and a Liberation Theologian, both her lived and academic experiences have equipped her with the tools to think theologically and sociologically about the ways in which communities, particularly communities of color, undocumented communities and poor communities suffer systemic oppression and moral injury, domestically and abroad. Her educational pursuits led her to study in Cuba and work closely with organizations in the provinces of Habana, Matanzas and Mayabeque. Presently, she serves as Lead Pastor of the Historical First Spanish United Methodist Church, commonly known as “The People’s Church” in East Harlem, NY. Dorlimar is a community organizer at heart, she is a daughter, a sister, and a believer in change who is passionate about engaging people of faith and people of conscience in creating spaces where life, hope, love, peace and justice is cultivated and sustained.  

Mentors 




Rev. Stephanie Vader

Capitol Hill UMC

Washington, DC







Rev. Dr. Marlon B. Tilghman 

Organization/Church name

City/State











Rev. Cassandra (Cassy) Nuñez

Salem United Methodist Church

Baltimore, MD