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With backgrounds in entrepreneurship, healthcare, art, astrophysics, and more, a group of 25 young adults gathered to explore the role of storytelling in faith-guided leadership at the second Polaris Leadership Summit, recently held at Princeton Theological Seminary. Their stories were captured live and recently debuted in the Illuminating Faith and Leadership video series on YouTube.
The three-day summit, sponsored by the Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network, is one of the numerous ways Princeton Seminary is empowering young adult Christian leaders, many of whom are called to serve outside the traditional walls of the church.
“The Polaris Leadership Summit affirms what I get to see all the time in my work with young adults: the Holy Spirit is at work through young adult Christians leading across every sector and sphere of influence,” said Polaris Director Shari Oosting. “More than recognizing that reality, the summit celebrates it, blessing these leaders as they live out their callings and offer their gifts in diverse contexts, from nonprofits to Hollywood film sets, from hospital NICUs to astrophysics labs.”
One participant, Dorian Hollingsworth Jr., shared how he felt called to make a meaningful impact in his community upon learning about a local teen’s suicide. Reflecting on his own feelings of loneliness as a teenager, he was determined to create spaces where young adults felt welcomed, supported, and seen. In response, he started Teen Care Network, Inc., a nonprofit that seeks to equip young adults with the mental health tools needed to thrive.
“My heart told me that I needed to be the one that ensured that everyone had a safe space,” he said. Adding, “I’m here to remind you that — one, you matter, and two, that God loves you, that God’s presence is always around.”
Participants explored the transformational power of gathering through stories, practicing story sharing as leaders, and extending the impact of stories through hands-on workshops and presentations with Princeton Seminary professors Dr. Eric D. Barreto and Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean, Associate Dean of Continuing Education Abigail Visco Rusert, hannah lee rose, MTE ’25, and Mark Yaconelli, founder and director of The Hearth, a nonprofit that helps others use storytelling to positively impact their communities. A group of 13 mentors who nominated the 25 summit participants also attended to deepen their understanding of how to support the flourishing of young adult Christian leaders.
The pinnacle experience, a storytelling festival, allowed participants to explore their own stories of faith and leadership, reflecting on how their personal narratives intersect with God’s story.
Gwyneth Hadasa, a NICU dietician, shared how she values her role as a servant leader, working to ensure that every premature and newborn baby she treats has the fundamentals to thrive.
“I advocate for my patients who cannot speak for themselves, and I try to give them value and dignity of these human lives,” she said. “And these little nuggets are fighting for their biggest fight of their lives, and I try to help them…because my hope is as I work in the background of their lives, that they can shine…I try to communicate to them that, ‘You are a child of God. You are well-loved. You have so much potential.’”
Samantha Hardin, a doctoral student in physics at Georgia Tech, shared how she learned the value of everyday leadership from her community, church, friends, family, and teachers as her father battled brain cancer. As a wealth of support greeted her during this challenging time, she realized that “being a leader is showing up, showing kindness, love, respect to people in all spaces.”
The summit provided community and the safety to explore, challenge, and share their experiences for many of the participants, including Emanuel Milton, the founder and CEO of Cure with Love Strategies. The organization focuses on community engagement initiatives and training sessions to create meaningful, positive community impact.
“In my leadership journey, it feels lonely at times,” said Milton. “People who share similar thoughts and ideas, who are my age, and who hold leadership positions are hard to come by, but Polaris connected me with a beautiful community of leaders who reminded me I am not alone.
“Cure with Love Strategies is about leveraging joy and connection to create positive impact in communities. How we curate spaces for connection is important to any impactful work. Polaris reminded me of how vital my work is to this world and gave me a fresh wind. I will use my experience to create safe and brave spaces where leaders can connect with others and explore their work, health, and spirituality in safe and developing ways.”
Founded in 2023, the Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network is dedicated to amplifying and supporting the leadership of Christian young adults in all sectors of public life across the U.S. A Lilly Endowment Inc. grant-funded initiative, Polaris offers courses, events, resources, and a year-long fellowship program for young Christian adults to help them discern their calling, empower their servant leadership, and build community among a network of peers.
To learn more about the Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network, visit polaris.ptsem.edu. The full Illuminating Faith and Leadership video series is available now on YouTube.
