The WEA Sustainability Center is excited to announce that Joel Vermillion joined our team in June as Assistant Director of Youth Engagement. Joel brings nearly 30 years of experience in outdoor leadership, disciple making, and experiential learning. He has served as director at the Wilderness Ministry Institute since 2010, delivering leadership training across over 50 countries.
At the Sustainability Center, Joel will be leading the following initiatives:
- Creating an international collaborative platform where like-minded youth ministries can share opportunities for young people to experience the wonder and gift of creation through outdoor activities and adventure.
- Developing resources that help youth understand their call to care for creation as part of Christian discipleship.
- Equipping the next generation to act on that call with practical skills and spiritual formation.
- Convening and networking youth leaders and organizations globally to strengthen and scale this movement.
- Offering thought leadership and mini-courses tailored to youth audiences.
We are excited about the passion, energy, and leadership Joel brings. Together, we look forward to empowering youth to discover their identity in Christ and their role in caring for God’s creation with courage, wisdom, and purpose. If you plan to attend the WEA General Assembly, we encourage you to sign up for Joel’s workshop.
The WEA Sustainability Center and the Lausanne Movement co-lead the global Lausanne/WEA Creation Care Network (LWCCN). Every month, LWCNN publishes a network newsletter entitled The Pollinator that includes a short reflection. Here’s a link to Dr. Elisara’s latest reflection on creation care entitled “Knowing, Doing, and the Space Between.” Sign up for the Pollinator at this link.
The Season of Creation (September 1–October 4) is an annual, ecumenical time for Christians around the world to renew our relationship with the Creator and all of creation through prayer, reflection, and action. Beginning with the Day of Prayer for Creation (Sept. 1) and concluding with the Feast of St. Francis (Oct. 4), this season offers churches and individuals rich resources—liturgies, devotionals, and community action guides—to help express our shared calling to care for God’s creation. The LWCNN contributes resources to this annual celebration. We encourage everyone to explore and use these resources as a way to deepen discipleship and join with Christians globally in stewarding our common home.
As part of the Season of Creation, you are invited to an LWCNN webinar, “Children and Youth in Creation Care,” on September 4 at either 11:00 or 19:00 UTC. This webinar will highlight unique ways in which young people can participate and become engaged with creation care issues. Register at this link.
Finally, the Sustainability Center is helping to organize “Religion and the Cities We Need,” a global dialogue and planning consultation that will shape the Faith Pavilion at the 13th World Urban Forum in 2026. Scheduled for November 4–7, 2025, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, this four-day gathering will bring together faith leaders, scholars, urban practitioners, and policy experts to explore how religious communities can contribute to creating more just, resilient, and sustainable cities. Our leadership in this initiative reflects the WEA’s deep commitment to integrating Christian perspectives into global urban development. We invite your involvement! Learn more and register at this link.
Stay Connected