We were thrilled to host Rooted in Sacred Ground: A Symposium on Culture, Community, and Calling for BIPOC Leaders this October 25–26, 2025 in Orlando, Florida!
Applications poured in from across the country, reflecting the incredible work so many leaders are doing with young people in faith, service, and justice. While we could not welcome everyone this year, we were proud to gather a first cohort of remarkable leaders and remain hopeful that this initiative will continue to grow in the years ahead.
This symposium was not a typical conference—it was an intentionally smaller, immersive space for deep listening, cultural wisdom, and spiritual rest. Through storytelling, workshops, and prayer, participants gained renewed vision, practical tools, and stronger networks to guide the next generation in faith and justice.
We are excited to announce that participants in the Rooted in Sacred Ground symposium are taking part in a storytelling mentorship led by Joshue Rosa. Together, they will grow in the art of sharing how God is moving in their communities through digital media.
Josh is a Creative, Catholic speaker, published author, and traveler based in New Jersey. Of Dominican descent, he is one of the founders of Agnus Dei Ministry and a passionate follower of Christ. With 270K followers on Instagram Instagram and 475K followers on TikTok, Josh brings a wealth of experience in building authentic, faith-filled digital communities.
We invite you to learn more about this program through the following reflections written by participants:
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We Are Never Walking Alone: RiSG Reflection
By Celia E. Ceballos, 2025 RiSG participant Opening GroundingI live and work on Lenapehoking, the unceded homeland of the Lenape people. This groundingmatters because place matters. The land beneath us holds history, memory, struggle, resilience, andstory. And so much of Rooted in Sacred Ground invited me to return to that truth: that who we are,where…
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This Work is Shared
One of the strongest takeaways from this conference is the reminder that this work is shared. There are people across the country who are committed to helping young people engage their faith in ways that lead toward justice. Being in that space widened my perspective. It reminded me that what we are doing locally is…
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Stillness Before Movement
I begin this new year rooted in the place where I am currently serving, alongside children, families, and educators who carry both hope and heaviness into each day. The turning of the calendar has offered me a quiet renewal, not loud or dramatic, but steady. A sense that even in uncertainty, something sacred is unfolding.…
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Rooted in Sacred Ground Update
Three months after the Rooted in Sacred Ground symposium, it is abundantly clear that ongoing check-ins are not only welcomed but deeply desired. The connections formed in October are continuing to grow into meaningful relationships and active resource-sharing among participants. In these turbulent political times, participants are challenging and supporting one another through innovative, faith‑inspired…
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Leading from the Now: Why I Took a Pause for “Sacred Ground”
In my role as the Education Program Coordinator for Hands On Atlanta, I manage AmeriCorps members across 18 schools in the metro area. The work is fast-paced, and the mission is critical. But recently, I realized that to serve others effectively, I needed to pause. I attended the “Rooted in Sacred Ground” Convene, and it…