Welcome to Desert Well! In this episode, we dive into aconversation about Gen Z's surprising return to the Church with special guests Ella Piepkorn and Ray Perez. They share their personal journeys of faith, the importance of genuine community, and the unique challenges faced by theirgeneration. From the allure of individualism to the pressures of a hyper-connected world, discover how faith and Christian fellowship provide a refreshing and essential connection in a complicated world. Whether you're navigating college life or simply curious about this new wave of spiritual curiosity, pull up a chair around the well and join us for an enlightening discussion.

00:00 Introduction to Desert Well

01:04 Welcoming the Community

01:32 Special Guests and Gen Z Discussion

02:45 Ella's Journey of Faith

14:07 Ray's Story and Faith Journey

21:36 Gen Z's Return to Church

27:07 Understanding 'Yinz' and Community

27:26 The Uniqueness of Christian Community

29:37 Challenges and Dynamics in Christian Fellowship

31:44 Experiences at Concordia and Broader Reflections

34:22 Navigating Identity and Labels

45:50 Balancing Worldly Distractions and Faith

49:01 The Importance of Genuine Community

51:22 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

As always thank you for listening and for your support! Be sure to join us here every Friday to hear the latest from ‘Desert Well’! You can also watch on YouTube Podcasts https://youtu.be/Wvr2jw5_dxg. You can listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/desert-well/id1823028492.