Flagler College is proud to announce the launch of Welcome Works: Creating Liturgical Interventions of Welcome, a four-year project supported by a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Beginning in 2026, the project will help faith communities across the United States reimagine worship as a space of belonging for children who have experienced significant trauma.
Lilly Endowment made the grant through its Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, a national initiative designed to help Christian congregations more fully and intentionally engage children in intergenerational corporate worship and prayer practices.
Drawing on interdisciplinary expertise in theology, child development, and trauma-informed care, Welcome Works will empower faith leaders to design “liturgical interventions of welcome” that make worship more inclusive and supportive. At the heart of the initiative is the conviction that faith communities can and must make corporate worship work for kids with “Big Hurts.”
Key components of Welcome Works include:
- Interdisciplinary Design Gathering (Spring 2026): Bringing together faith leaders, theologians, TBRI® (Trust-Based Relationship Intervention) practitioners, and trauma experts to shape practices that congregations can implement.
- Two Congregational Cohorts (2026–2027): Twelve congregations will participate in a four-month curriculum, beginning with a Family Welcome Audit and experimenting with interventions that foster belonging in worship. Each congregation will receive financial support and personalized consultation.
- Public Engagement: Each cohort will share their learnings at the annual Flagler Forum on Youth & Family Ministry, with findings amplified through digital storytelling, publications, and practical resources for churches nationwide.
“This project grows out of our conviction that faith communities must not only talk about welcoming vulnerable children but tangibly embody it in worship,” said Dr. Justin Forbes, Assistant Professor of Religion and Director of the Center for Religion and Culture at Flagler College. “Our hope is that these practices will not only benefit children from traumatic backgrounds but will enrich the worship experience for all.”
Welcome Works builds on Flagler’s longstanding commitment to youth ministry and its emerging Center for Religion and Culture, which fosters meaningful dialogue, community engagement, and unique student opportunities that explore the intersection of religion, culture, and contemporary issues. With support from Lilly Endowment, Flagler College is poised to help congregations nationwide deepen their capacity for hospitality, belonging, and faithful formation.
For more information, visit flagler.edu/crc
