High school students explored sacred spaces, built friendships, and modeled what it means to lead with empathy and respect.
This August, the Center for Interfaith Cooperation (CIC) launched its renewed Interfaith Youth Ambassador Program, an opportunity for high school students to engage across faith traditions, ask thoughtful questions, and build relationships grounded in mutual respect.
We believed these students would rise to the occasion. What we didn’t expect was how deeply they would lean into the experience. They approached one another with openness, navigated moments of tension with honesty, and engaged not as spectators, but as curious and courageous peers.
They showed us what is possible when young people are given space to lead.
A New Model of Youth Engagement
The Interfaith Youth Ambassador Program was designed to spark understanding through lived experience, peer-to-peer learning, and visits to local houses of worship. Over four Saturdays in August, students gathered to listen, ask, and reflect. They encountered religious diversity not as a theory, but as a lived reality.
This cohort included students from six different traditions: Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Episcopalian, and non-denominational Christian communities. Each participant brought their full selves to the table, creating a space that was rich in dialogue and grounded in respect.
Each week, the program focused on a different tradition and location:
- August 2: Judaism
- August 9: Islam
- August 16: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- August 23: Hinduism
Storytelling as a Starting Point
The first session took place at CIC and was led by student presenters from the Jewish community who modeled the Jewish Community Relations Council’s Student-to-Student program. These Jewish high school students shared personal experiences, dispelled common stereotypes, and opened up a warm and honest conversation with the group.
We are grateful to the JCRC and the students who helped model the program. Their presentation set the tone for the entire month. They reminded us that storytelling is not just informative, it is relational. Through their openness, they created a space where others felt invited to learn, ask questions, and reflect on their own faith journeys.
Discovering Shared Values
At Masjid Al-Fajr, students experienced the welcoming spirit of the Muslim community. They removed their shoes, entered the prayer space, and learned about core Islamic practices. But what made the afternoon special was the way students found connection across difference.
One student reflected, “I loved visiting the Muslim mosque and learned that there’s a lot of similarities between their faith and my own.”
By exploring Islamic rituals and beliefs in a community setting, students gained both understanding and respect. It was a reminder that we often discover shared values when we take the time to listen.
Conversations that Build Trust
In week three, we were welcomed by youth from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These student hosts opened their community with a conversation that prompted a very active and engaging Q&A.
This personal approach created space for connection. One student shared that, “Talking with other youth ambassadors, not debating if their religion or mine is right, just talking about our favorite foods in our respective faiths made our connections stronger.”
In a world where religious difference is often seen as a source of conflict, this program continued to model a different approach. Respect can begin with small things, like a meal or a shared laugh. We acknowledge that we can disagree about things and still hold each other with value and respect.
Ending with Wonder
The final session took place at the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana, one of the most vibrant and beautiful sacred spaces in the region. Students learned about the deities and symbols found throughout the temple and were guided through the deeper meanings behind ritual practices.
The temple visit provided an opportunity to reflect on everything they had learned and to celebrate the relationships they had formed. As Rev. Erin Hougland, CIC’s Executive Director, shared, “They are the future, and the future is bright.”
Growing in Confidence and Respect
By the end of the month, students had not only expanded their understanding of different faiths, but also grown more confident in their ability to build interfaith relationships.
In a post-program survey, one student wrote,
“Yes. I feel like I have a significantly better understanding of Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism, and this understanding has brought a great amount of respect. These opportunities have made me curious and eager to take another step in the interfaith community.”
Another student summed it up this way:
“The Interfaith program was an amazing experience. I got to meet different people with different beliefs and cultures. Even with these differences, each person had a similarity of wanting to learn about each other and what they believe.”
Looking Ahead
The courage, curiosity, and compassion shown by these students give us great hope for what comes next. At CIC, we believe that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow. They are leading right now by listening carefully, speaking honestly, and showing up for one another with open hearts.
We are proud of what this first group accomplished. And we are eager to keep growing this program, creating new opportunities for dialogue, and lifting up the next generation of interfaith leaders in Central Indiana.
The future is bright. And it begins with humble curiosity and understanding.
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