NC Synod (ELCA)

Rooted & Rising with Rev. Leila Ortiz: Prayer, Justice, Hope, and Being Called for This Moment!

Recorded at the 2026 North Carolina Synod Fall Convocation at Lutheridge, host Gerson Mendoza-Hipolito interviews The Rev. Leila Ortiz, keynote speaker for "Rooted and Rising: Stories of Justice, Hope, and Community." The Rev. Ortiz reflects on her transition from serving six years as bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, DC Synod to becoming pastoral theologian in residence at St. Peter's Church in Manhattan, New York. She explains what it means to be rooted in Jesus rather than tradition; she describes how her Pentecostal formation and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit inform her preaching, leadership, and justice work. The Rev. Ortiz emphasizes prayer as essential for church leaders, recounting synod-wide traveling prayer nights during COVID-era challenges. She discusses justice requiring community-building, hope as both waiting and participation, and urges the church to believe each person is called "for such a time as this."

00:00 Welcome to Convocation 01:54 Meet The Reverend Leila Ortiz 02:56 Pastoral Theologian Role 05:28 Rooted in Jesus 07:25 Pentecostal Roots and Spirit 11:33 Prayer as Leadership Oxygen 18:45 Gospel Over Tradition 23:26 Justice Needs Community 24:42 Hope We Wait and Build 26:26 A Sermon for This Moment 28:10 Called For This Moment 29:30 Fellowship Hall Draft Begins 29:55 Potluck Desserts Debate 30:35 Hymns And Coritos Favorites 33:33 Church Drinks And Coffee Rules 34:29 Unsung Heroes The Ushers 35:50 VBS Snacks And Lutheran Catchphrases 36:21 After Worship Food And Sunday Nap 37:28 Favorite Worship Moments 41:06 Vigilias And Luthercostal Dreams 42:27 Name Tags And Final Blessing 43:45 For Such A Time As This Wrap Up

Synod-Authorized Minister Mark Howell: Rural Ministry, Disaster Relief & the Fellowship Hall Draft

In this episode of "What's the Word?", Gerson Mendoza-Hipolito interviews bi-vocational leader Mark Howell, who serves as a synod authorized minister at St. John's Lutheran Church in Taylorsville, North Carolina, and as Lincoln County's emergency management coordinator. Mark shares his path from advanced lay ministry and lay preaching beginning in 2019 to being commissioned during COVID and preaching in 26 congregations across the region. He is now a Wartburg Theological Seminary seminarian. He discusses what he hopes to take back from the synod gathering, including guidance for updating his congregation's constitution and learning how to connect with Lutheran Disaster Response. Mark emphasizes that small rural churches still do mighty ministry. The conversation ends with the lighthearted "Fellowship Hall Draft" of church-life favorites.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:10 Meet Mark Howell 01:14 Seminary Journey Update 02:10 How SAM Began 04:36 Gathering Takeaways 06:34 Come and See Go and Tell 07:24 Message for the Wider Church 09:06 Fellowship Hall Draft 12:56 Name Tags Debate 14:00 Closing Thanks and Farewell

Come and See, Go and Tell: Michael Mitchum on Camp Agape, Neurodiversity, and Faith at the NC Synod Gathering

At the North Carolina Synod Gathering, host Gerson Mendoza-Hipolito interviews Michael Mitchum, director of programs and retreats at Camp Agape in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, about his background, lifelong Lutheran faith, and work supporting summer camp, and environmental education. Michael shares a fun fact that he has perfect pitch, then reflects on the Gathering's "come and see, go and tell" theme, highlighting how worship, shared stories, and learning from both small and large congregations reveal what "church" can look like. He explains how a session on caring for neurodiverse children will shape Camp Agape's affirmation-centered philosophy of building campers up as made in God's image. In a rapid "Fellowship Hall Draft," he picks banana pudding, the hymn "Will You Come and Follow Me," Cheerwine, dishwashing as underrated service, camp affirmations as a favorite worship moment, "throw a fish" as a camp phrase, and barbecue with coleslaw as a best meal.

00:00 Welcome to Gathering 00:26 Meet Michael Mitchum 01:18 Perfect Pitch Moment 02:02 Come and See Reflections 03:50 Taking It Back to Camp 05:14 God Moments at Gathering 07:00 Fellowship Hall Draft 09:20 Camp Worship Affirmations 10:37 Throw a Fish Motto 11:24 Favorite Camp Meal Picks 11:55 Thanks and Farewell

Mark Hustedt talks about Connect NC Young Adult Outreach, the NC Synod Gathering, and why young adults are the church now.

Host Gerson Mendoza-Hipolito welcomes Mark, a North Carolina Synod young adult and bi-vocational leader who works as a geologist and serves as mission developer for Connect NC Young Adult Outreach. They discuss the Connect NC logo (a dahlia with a subtle cross) and how love and grace can signal Jesus at the center. They also discuss new support for cultural, multilingual, and multiethnic communities and related grant work. Mark shares what he "came and saw" at the NC Synod Gathering, including creative ministry in average-sized churches and the difference between short-term charity and long-term justice initiatives; then, he shares what he plans to "go and tell" by lifting up young adult stories and intergenerational support. Mark recounts being nominated by Bishop Emily to attend a Lutheran World Federation lay leader seminar in Germany and Switzerland, including multilingual worship and Reformation sites, then wraps with a light "Fellowship Hall Draft" on church life and an encouragement to support young adults through connection and hospitality.

00:00 Welcome and Meet Mark 01:46 Matching Shirts and Connect NC 03:56 Come and See at Gathering 05:02 Go and Tell Young Adult Stories 06:16 God Moment Workshop Wins 07:15 Germany and Reformation Journey 09:56 Fellowship Hall Draft 15:29 Benediction and Support Young Adults

Bishop Emily K. Hartner on "Come and See: Go and Tell," Church Hope, and the Fellowship Hall Draft

Host Gerson Mendoza-Hipolito welcomes the Rev. Emily K. Hartner, the 79th bishop of the North Carolina Synod. She shares about balancing ministry and family life, finding time through early workouts and reading-into-a-nap, and her growing interest in soccer. Bishop Emily describes the Synod Gathering theme, "Come and See: Go and Tell," as an invitation to collaboration, sharing resources and ideas so congregations broaden their sense of what's possible and partner in ministry. She offers hope rooted in the gospel of Jesus and the resurrection, describes feeling most connected in worship and presiding at liturgy, and ends with a light "Fellowship Hall Draft" covering potluck desserts, hymns, church coffee, underrated volunteers, VBS snacks, Lutheran phrases, post-worship meals, and name tags.

What's the Word? was recorded in May 2026 at Lenoir-Rhyne University during the North Carolina Synod Gathering, themed "Come and See. Go and Tell."

nclutheran.org

00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:40 Meet Bishop Emily 01:13 Finding Personal Time 01:49 Come and See Theme 03:11 Resourcing Congregations 04:21 Hope for the Church 06:09 Feeling Connected in Worship 07:42 Fellowship Hall Draft 11:56 Name Tags and Wrap Up

Pastor Jennifer Shimota talks about campus ministry, synod vitality, and Holy Trinity Sunday.

In this episode of What's The Word?, Pastor Jennifer Shimota sits down with host Gerson Mendoza-Hipolito. She shares how she stepped into an interim campus ministry role at Elon University while serving at Coble's Lutheran and why she still feels called to parish ministry. They explore the stories of ministry being shared across the synod and the surprising, spirit-led connections that happen beyond what's planned on the schedule. The conversation turns to what an "average" congregation looks like, why pew numbers shouldn't measure vitality, and how language about 'small churches' can shift. Finally, they discuss Holy Trinity Sunday, how worship and ministry are rooted in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and a few lighthearted church-life picks, from potlucks and hymns to underrated volunteer jobs and name tags.

What's the Word? was recorded in May 2026 at Lenoir-Rhyne University during the North Carolina Synod Gathering, themed "Come and See. Go and Tell."

nclutheran.org

In episode four of Keeping Up with the Youtherans, we hear from Kaitlyn Losh from St. John's in Salisbury. A lifelong Lutheran, Kaitlyn, reflects on how deep relationships, youth involvement, and a strong sense of belonging have shaped her faith, and emphasizes that noticing, welcoming, and building community are key to keeping young people connected to the church.

Keeping up with the Youtherans features 10-minute or less episodes so you can hear from youth around the North Carolina Synod about what they think about this church and its future. Each episode has accompaniment Bible study to go with it that can be used with adults, youth, or intergenerationally.

In episode four of Keeping Up with the Youtherans, we hear from Mason Morton from Holy Comforter in Belmont. Mason describes growing up between competing faith messages, finding belonging through youth group, and urging churches to move beyond words toward genuine inclusion, honest conversations about mental health, and shared leadership with young people.

Keeping up with the Youtherans features 10-minute or less episodes so you can hear from youth around the North Carolina Synod about what they think about this church and its future. Each episode has accompaniment Bible study to go with it that can be used with adults, youth, or intergenerationally.

In episode three of Keeping Up with the Youtherans, we hear from Rex Jones from Calvary in Morganton. Rex tells the story of being invited to church and how he experienced welcome from everyone!

Keeping up with the Youtherans features 10-minute or less episodes so you can hear from youth around the North Carolina Synod about what they think about this church and its future. Each episode has accompaniment Bible study to go with it that can be used with adults, youth, or intergenerationally.

In episode two of Keeping Up with the Youtherans, we hear from Bradley English from Community in Christ in Cornelius. He talks about how nurturing his congregation has been to his faith and how that has helped him to grow as a leader.

Keeping up with the Youtherans features 10-minute or less episodes so you can hear from youth around the North Carolina Synod about what they think about this church and its future. Each episode has accompaniment Bible study to go with it that can be used with adults, youth, or intergenerationally.