In the next in our series on helping young people share faith, Melanie Cave interviews Jill Appleton of The Feast. They discuss how interfaith dialogue and the guidelines for respectful conversation can empower young people to share their faith confidently, build bridges between communities, and foster understanding in diverse societies. In these settings Christian teenagers become more confident in their Christian identity. Jill shares The Feast's Guidelines for Dialogue, how listening and respectful questioning differ from debate, and how these skills build friendship, resist radicalisation, and support faith conversations in diverse schools and communities. The episode also points listeners to practical resources and training for youth workers and schools to adopt dialogue-based approaches.

Keywords

interfaith dialogue, youth faith sharing, guidelines for dialogue, community building, faith education, evangelism, youth empowerment, religious diversity, Christian faith, social cohesion

Key Topics

The Feast's mission to foster interfaith dialogue among youth The importance of listening and asking good questions in faith conversations How dialogue differs from debate and its role in faith sharing The guidelines for respectful and honest dialogue Real-life stories of faith transformation through interfaith encounters

Sound Bites

'Listening is massively important in faith conversations.' 'The Feast helps young people become confident in their faith.' 'God works in our conversations and relationships.'

Chapters

00:00 Building Bridges Through Dialogue

06:07 The Art of Dialogue vs. Debate

11:27 Guidelines for Effective Conversations

16:47 Transformative Journeys of Faith

22:08 Recognizing and Countering Radicalization

26:22 Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue

28:04 Transformative Encounters: A Personal Story

29:57 Faith Sharing in Diverse Settings

32:18 Building Confidence in Faith

34:57 Navigating Interfaith Relationships

36:39 The Role of Dialogue in Conflict Resolution

39:17 The Impact of Dialogue on Evangelism

44:11 Expanding the Feast: Global Reach and Resources

Show Notes

https://thefeast.org.uk/ Feast Resources: https://the-feast-youth-project.sumupstore.com/ www.rootsforchurches.com Discovering God: https://www.rootsontheweb.com/discover-roots/discovering-god

Imagine grandparents, grandchildren and whole families boarding a vintage train for the journey of a lifetime — meeting Jesus at every station through prayer, games, serving, learning and collaborative crafts. Together they eat, laugh, share stories of faith and explore Bible stories from Luke with simple spiritual practices that welcome every age.

Explore the innovative intergenerational holiday club 'A Journey of a Lifetime' with Roots' MD Melanie and writer Alison Hulse, focusing on faith, community, and spiritual practices that unite all ages in a shared journey of discipleship.

This ready-to-run holiday club helps churches bring generations together, adaptable for Sundays or midweek, with story-telling ideas, station activities, take-home reflections and safeguarding guidance so communities can grow in faith and relationship.

Melanie Cave talks with Jess Masters-Carrer about why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are increasingly drawn to sacramental spirituality and how churches can welcome and equip young people to share faith. They explore themes such as belonging before believing, the role of liturgy and ritual, embracing mystery, and practical mission approaches focused on invitation and relationship.

The episode offers practical ideas for youth workers and church leaders—creating safe spaces for questions, teaching liturgical language, using digital content to demystify worship, and building long-term discipleship—so young people can invite friends into sacramental traditions with confidence.

The spiritual climate is shifting and Gen Z and Gen Alpha are more open to the gospel than many expect. Melanie Cave interviews Aaron Routledge about why evangelism can feel awkward, how culture has changed, and why we need to move from scripted presentations to natural, curiosity-led conversations.

They explore practical steps (the Five B's), encouraging stories, and resources for churches and youth leaders to equip and release young people to share their faith with confidence and love.

Keywords

evangelism, youth ministry, faith sharing, relational evangelism, church youth, spiritual conversations, gospel, youth leadership, faith in action, church resources

Key Topics

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Youth Evangelism

03:51 Aaron's Journey into Youth Work

06:28 Challenges of Evangelism for Christians

15:07Shifts in Evangelism Over the Years

17:56 Changing Worldviews Among Young People

20:55 The Importance of Relational Evangelism

23:41 Equipping Young People for Evangelism

26:20 The Five B's of Gospel Conversations

29:07 Preaching vs. Sharing the Gospel

34:41 The Power of Conversational Evangelism

36:58 Overcoming Barriers to Evangelism Training

39:07 Discipleship vs. Evangelism: Finding Balance

41:12 Creating a Culture of Gospel Conversations

42:56 Empowering Young People for Mission

45:44 Releasing vs. Retaining: A New Mindset

48:21 Resources for Youth Leaders

53:17 Encouraging Stories of Faith Sharing

Show Notes

The Charge https://www.message.org.uk/thecharge/ Amplify - The Young Evangelists Academy | United Kingdom https://www.amplifyacademy.co.uk/

Gospel Advancing Ministry - An Effective Youth Ministry Strategy https://www.dare2share.org/gospel-advancing/

Roots' article series on reimaginging evangelsim www.Rootsforchurches.com/worship-and-learning-support/articles/re-imagining-evangelism

From a talk at the Intergenerate '26 conference, this episode explores Roots’ Bread & Wine research into making communion accessible and invitational for the whole church.

Melanie Cave shares findings, practical case studies (toddler services, multilingual parishes, youth-led reflections, outdoor and care-home eucharists), and adaptable prayers and choreography to help churches include children, people with dementia, neurodivergence, and those for whom English is not a first language.

Listeners will hear about the churches' challenges, and the resulting innovative approaches to intergenerational communion Roots discovered and highlighted in case studies. Roots Bread & Wine makes the Eucharist inclusive, accessible, and meaningful for all ages and backgrounds. You'll hear about small steps churches can take to create more intergenerational, sensory, and participative communion services. And you can discover Root's layered, ecumenical communion prayers, and a visual timetable to reduce anxiety and help those with additional needs navigate the service well. 

Melanie Cave interviews Martin Shaw, exploring the profound role of storytelling, myth, and wilderness in our spiritual growth. We explore the importanceof stories in church life, personal initiation, and cultural identity, unpacking how stories shape our understanding of God, community, and ourselves, and advocating for a more untidy, questioning approach to faith and spirituality.

Keywords

storytelling, myth, spirituality, Christian faith, wilderness, initiation, church, cultural identity, sacred stories, religious experience

Key topics

The role of storytelling and myth in spiritual life

The importance of wilderness for initiation and transformation

The relationship between myth, culture, and identity

Sound Bites

"We live in a symbolic world surrounded by metaphors."

"Bible stories are profoundly mysterious and layered."

"May rocks be rolled away and new life rise this Easter."

Chapters

00:00 The Roots of Storytelling

03:32 The Meaning of Myth

06:09 Myth and National Identity

09:13 The Power of Nuanced Stories

11:54 Storytelling in the Church

15:00 The Role of Wilderness in Initiation

24:26 Embracing the Dichotomy of Spirituality

26:32 The Balance of Wildness and Community

29:31 Navigating Prophetic and Pastoral Tensions

32:52 The Interplay of Mystery and Understanding

35:48 The Power of Storytelling Across Generations

42:30 Diversity in Storytelling and Spirituality

45:40 Reflections on Personal Myths and Prayer

Show Notes

Liturgies of the Wild by Martin Shaw https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/477131/liturgies-of-the-wild-by-shaw-martin/9781846048913

Roots for Churches www.rootsforchurches.com

Show Notes:

A concise collection of excerpts from the Children’s Ministry Network Conference (March 2026) on how churches and children’s ministries can respond to a changing, multicultural UK. Melanie Cave introduces the theme, followed by Dr Israel Olofinjana on intercultural theology, Dr Phoebe Owen on identity, and Nathaniel Jennings on intercultural discipleship.

Listeners will hear theological foundations, real-life challenges for second- and third-generation children, practical ideas for worship and leadership, and tips for building relational, justice-aware, intergenerational ministries. 

Books & Articles:

Podcasts/Videos:

Training and Resources:

Songs for intercultural/ multi-lingual worship: https://songs2serve.eu/

Networks for ongoing support:

Melanie Cave speaks with Charnelle Barclay from the Centre for Theology and Community about reimagining evangelism as a call to justice and holistic transformation. Charnelle explains how community organising—listening deeply, empowering agency, building relational power, and addressing root causes—connects faith with practical action, examples include a local safety campaign and a food-share project that drew people into church life.

The conversation outlines practical steps for churches: shift theology toward holistic care, practice intentional listening, support grassroots leadership, and use the cycle of prayer and organising to research, act, evaluate and rest. Resources and training are available for churches wanting to start.

Today’s episode explores hosting youth ministry and intergenerational small groups in homes — the theology, hospitality and practical safeguarding. Melanie Cave talks with Dr Sam Richards and David Howell about the history of guidance pre- and during COVID, how homes can be holy and formative spaces, and the practical steps churches need (risk assessments, transparent accountability, and intergenerational thinking). 

This episode explores the rise of weight-loss injections and the sharp increase in eating disorders since the pandemic, including concerns like bigorexia and the impact on young people. Guests Di Archer and Cherry Dakin from Taste Life UK share lived experience, recovery work, and practical youth resources.

Hosts discuss how churches can respond with compassion, spot warning signs, offer safe spaces, and access training and courses (Food, Feelings and Faith; Taste Life) to support individuals and families alongside medical services.

Show notes

Further listening

The Hunger Game