Nominate a Justice-Driven Leader for ELCA’s New National Cohort

The ELCA’s Building Resilient Communities team invites you to help shape the future of justice-rooted leadership. Nominations are now open for the inaugural Building Resilient Leadership (BRL) cohort—a twelve-month program for adult leaders (ages 18+) who are already making a difference in their communities and are ready to grow further in their public leadership.

Nominate by June 2, 2025

Know someone who accompanies others with courage and compassion, works for justice, and leads with love? Please ask if they’re open to applying, then nominate them using this form. Self-nominations are also welcome. Once nominated, individuals will be invited to submit an application by July 7.

PRogram Overview

Participants will:

• Receive up to $1,000 in seed funding to develop a local justice-centered project.

• Participate in monthly workshops led by ELCA justice ministry leaders.

• Engage in peer mentoring and reflection to support their work and one another.

• Attend a two-day orientation in Columbus, Ohio this September.

• Present their completed projects in a final celebration in August 2026.

Projects might include:

• Mutual aid initiatives

• Safe spaces for marginalized communities

• Local food hubs

• Advocacy campaigns

• Resilience training programs

The Building Resilient Communities office coordinates three vital ELCA justice ministries: ELCA World Hunger, AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities), and Lutheran Disaster Response. Together, they help equip leaders who meet human need, pursue justice, and build hope across generations and identities.

At its heart, this program reflects our Lutheran calling to love and serve our neighbors—and to cultivate leadership that accompanies communities toward healing, justice, and resilience.

📨 Questions? Contact Peter McLellan, ELCA Program Director for Hunger Education: peter.mclellan@elca.org