Brethren Academy
AboutBrethren Academy is a unique learning experience for high school student leaders to explore Brethren & personal IDENTITY, individual CALLING, & their personal WITNESS to the world.
Our Story
This annual program affords students an opportunity to engage with pastors, professors, ministry leaders, business professionals, and broaden their community with fellow Brethren students from across North America. Brethren Academy is intended for high school students in their Sophomore year of high school, through their graduation year of high school.
While the learning arch of Brethren Academy is built on a 3-year cycle, each year’s focus stands on its own allowing students to connect to Brethren Academy at any stage in the 3-year arch.
Brethren Academy was founded with the support of Lilly Endowment Inc. and in partnership with Ashland University and The Brethren Church, to help young students better understand how faith and theology shape their everyday lives. It is open to high school students looking to deepen their understanding of the Brethren and their own spiritual leadership.
Our Team
Sara Moore
Program Director
About Sara
Sara Moore began serving as the director of Brethren Academy in 2020. She is from Chambersburg, PA, and has been on staff at St. James Brethren Church since 2010. Sara is an active member of the Brethren Church, having served nationally with the YAC (Youth Advisory Committee) team for seven years, as a member of the Conference Planning Team for two years, and as the National Student Ministry Coordinator for the Brethren Church for a year. Sara presently serves on the Executive Board of the Brethren Church.
She is passionate about helping students deepen their faith and understand the unique roles God has for them to further His kingdom on earth.
Sara enjoys spending time with her family, and when she’s not at a ball field cheering on her children, you can find her cooking, gardening, and working out. Her favorite day is New Sock Day.
Email: [email protected]
Ryan Smith
Program Consultant
About Ryan
Ryan Smith has served for the past 20 plus years in various Brethren Ministries. Currently Ryan serves as the Director of Operations for the Brethren Church National Office. As a former youth pastor he has a deep desire to help teens discover their God-given calling and put it into action in their everyday lives.
In his free time Ryan enjoys geocaching, working out, cheering for the Chicago Bears, adding to his vinyl record collection, and spending time with his family.
Contact Ryan at [email protected].
Amanda Carriere
Program Consultant
About Amanda
Amanda is the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at St. James Brethren Church in Fairplay, MD. She has been working in full time church ministry youth work for 15 years. She has been a mentor at Brethren Academy for 3 years.
Mentors
For each event, we select a team of undergraduate students who are some of the most faith-filled, outgoing, and fun individuals from across the country. These mentors have a variety of backgrounds and interests and show an extraordinary capacity to harmonize their faith with their work and studies. They are very excited to meet, guide, and walk this journey of discovery with the youth they encounter.
Teachers
We are fortunate to have such a diverse pool of individuals to teach our students at Brethren Academy. Whether local pastors, university and seminary professors, business professionals, or lay leaders, students and mentors alike learn from our teachers in a variety of ways.