EXCHANGE brings together experts in the field who are specialists in their unique perspectives of ministry with young people. Let’s face it! All of our contexts are different with diverse peoples, communities, cultures, circumstances, and economics. This is why we need YOU, an expert in your particular ministerial context to be at EXCHANGE. Are you ready to share your expertise at EXCHANGE?
Coming a day early? Staying a day late? Louisville is a city with rich culture, great food, and fun things to do! Whether you are looking for a dinner out with new friends, or wanting some fun with your colleagues, Louisville has just the thing for you!
Best Restaurants in East Louisville
Click the link below to view Louisville Insider’s best places to eat in East Louisville, KY.
From American, to Seafood, there has to be at least one restaurant that is up your alley!
Full Throttle Adrenaline Park | Racing Simulator, Karting, Axe Throwing & Rage Rooms
THE premier entertainment destination within the Derby City! Located in Jeffersontown, KY, minutes from Downtown Louisville and off of I-64. Only about 6 minutes from 2026 Exchange!
The Louisville Adrenaline Park is a 38,500 sq. ft. facility of premier adrenaline-based activities for individuals & groups of up to 250 people. Louisville offers gas high-speed Go Karting for both Juniors & Pros, Rage Room, and Axe Throwing, complete with a lane-side full Bourbon Bar! Looking to refuel in between activities? Stop by our concession stand for a quick bite.
Ark Encounter features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Genesis 6 states that the biblical ark was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. Assuming this was a royal cubit (as was typical for large projects in the ancient world), this converts to approximately 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. That’s huge! Learn more on deck one of the Ark.
This modern engineering marvel is the largest freestanding timber structure in the world and amazes visitors young and old.
Shrine of Saints Magnus and Bonosa
The only building in Louisville (hopefully) that contains two ancient holy skeletons.
St. Martin of Tours is a Catholic parish church in central Louisville that is one of the city’s few remaining antebellum public buildings. It is also (hopefully) the only building in Louisville that contains two ancient holy skeletons.
A day in Kentucky’s Bourbon Country is not complete without taking in Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail.
This curated collection of local bars and restaurants was created to complement a day of touring distilleries. Staff at each of the stops have a wide knowledge of whiskies, some of the city’s largest collections of Bourbon, and in most cases, even Bourbon-infused cuisine.
For More Information Click Here >
Museum Row on Main in Louisville offers a vibrant stretch of culture, history, and discovery all in one walkable destination. From hands-on science and sports history to art, storytelling, and local heritage, there’s something to engage every interest. It’s the perfect group outing—easy to explore, inspiring, and full of moments that spark curiosity and conversation.
Craig A. Ford, Jr. (Ph.D., Boston College) is Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at St. Norbert College (De Pere, WI), where he also serves as Director of the Peace and Justice Interdisciplinary Minor. He is also on the faculty at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA). Dr. Ford writes on topics at the intersection of the Catholic moral tradition, queer theology/queer theory, and Black studies. In addition to publishing numerous articles in popular outlets like Commonweal, the National Catholic Reporter, and the New Ways Ministry blog, Dr. Ford is the author of a number of widely-cited academic essays, including “Transgender Bodies, Catholic Schools, and a Queer Natural Law Theology of Exploration” (Journal of Moral Theology, 2018), and “Our New Galileo A air” (Horizons, 2023), which received the 2022 Catherine Mowry LaCugna Award for Best Essay by a young scholar from the Catholic Theological Society of America.
Born and raised in the New Orleans area, Claire is a consecrated virgin for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. She earned her Masters in Theological Studies through Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA, and also earned a B.A. in General Studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Claire’s experience includes parish faith formation and youth ministry, high school campus ministry and theology, women’s ministry, and retreat ministry. Claire has presented workshops and papers at various conferences, including the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry and Princeton Theological Seminary Research Gathering.
Noelle Garcia is a Catholic recording artist and speaker, wife, and mom to six kids. For over ten years Noelle has shared her ministry at events such as Steubenville Youth Conferences, the National Catholic Youth Conference, LA Congress, and many others. Her main topics include sharing her witness of struggling with depression and self-harm, and having faith during su ering. Noelle also has several Lighthouse Media talks and projects on Formed.org with Augustine Institute. Noelle has a Masters of Theological Studies from Newman University. She serves as the Director of Programs for EQSaints and resides in Oklahoma City.
Sr. Judy Gomila is a New Orleans native and a Marianite Sister. She entered the community in New Orleans in 1958 and has used her God-given gifts cross-culturally in the inner city, on the bayou, the Alaskan bush and world mission of Propagation of the Faith. She holds a Masters in Theology and Religious Studies from St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. Sr. Judy began her service to the Church as a classroom teacher, then as a Director of Parish Religious Education. With a missionary heart, Sr. Judy currently facilitates retreats, workshops and parish missions from California to Florida and is known for her practical spirituality and storytelling. She is on the Board of Project Lazarus which works to heal and empower persons living with HIV-AIDS and the Board of the Clarion Herald Catholic News/Evangelization efforts.
Charlie is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Owensboro. He was a youth minister for 13 years before serving in the diocese and has a Masters in Theology from Saint Meinrad. He is married with 2 children and his deepest desire is for young people to know their worth in Christ Jesus.
Carmen Hershey is a Public Health and Latin American Studies double-major in her nal year at Loyola University New Orleans. Raised in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she always had a desire to expand her horizons beyond her small-town upbringing. Carmen speaks of her experience living in New Orleans as one that has in uenced her worldview culturally and spiritually. Also, she pursues her passion for Brazilian history and music as a member of Casa Samba, New Orleans’ Afro-Brazilian culture and dance company. She works for Loyola University as a student ambassador and teaching assistant, and also enjoys her time interning at a medical malpractice law rm in Downtown New Orleans.
Chris serves as the Director of Strategy for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). With two decades of dedication to Catholic youth ministry, his mission is to introduce young people to Jesus Christ. Chris holds an M.Div from Catholic Theological Union and an MSW from Loyola University Chicago. His passion for youth ministry stems from a sincere gratitude to his own youth ministers who devoted themselves to his formation during high school. At NFCYM, Chris oversees membership, development, communication, formation, and grant-funded projects, ensuring the organization operates as a cohesive whole.
Bob McCarty has spent his entire professional career working for the Catholic Church at the parish, diocesan, and national levels in pastoral ministry. He is a consultant offering retreats, formation in leadership skills, and assisting ministry organizations in strategic pastoral planning. Bob is adjunct faculty at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and involved in his home parish, St. Francis of Assisi in Fulton, MD, serving in marriage prep ministry and on the adult faith formation team. Bob’s newest book is The Heart of A Disciple, through Paulist Press. His hobbies include rock climbing, adventure travel, and grandparenting!
Dr. Charlotte McCorquodale, from Louisiana, is an international educator, researcher, speaker, and consultant. She has led Ministry Training Source, since 2000 and has over 40 years of ministry experience in parish, school, diocesan and national settings. She holds a MRE, from University of St. Thomas, Houston and a PhD from Louisiana State University.
Misty Mehrkens serves as the Programming Coordinator for the Office of Missionary Discipleship in the Diocese of Crookston and Director of Youth Ministry at St. Bernard’s Church. She leads the Accompaniment Project both as a diocesan leader and a parish leader.
David Palmieri, MEd, MTS is a Catholic educator who has worked as a high school theology teacher and three-season coach for more than 25 years. He is the founder of Without Exception, an international network of educators dedicated to the art of accompaniment for sexual and gender minority students in Catholic secondary schools. He works with schools, parishes, and dioceses to provide guidance and training on pastoral care to these young people and their families. He has a BA in Religious Studies from Colby College (Waterville, ME), a Master of Theological Studies degree from Harvard Divinity School, an MEd in Religious Education from Boston College, and he is currently a Doctor of Ministry candidate at The Catholic University of America. In 2022, David received the Lead. Learn. Proclaim award from the National Catholic Educational Association. His work appears in the International Journal of Evangelization and Catechetics and in A Brighter Future, a forthcoming volume from NCEA on Catholic school leadership.
Stephanie J. Peddicord has served as the President of Goodfaith since 2015. Before that, she worked as an executive in the non-pro t sector in various aspects of organizational and philanthropic management. Founded in 2008, Goodfaith’s mission is to cultivate a vibrant community of faith in action through transformative experiences of missionary discipleship rooted in Catholic social tradition. In 2018, Goodfaith published its rst-ever quantitative research study, “What WorX: Assessing the Impact of Faith-Based Service and Justice Programs on Catholic Youth.” That same year, Goodfaith was the only Catholic organization in the country to receive a $1 million grant as part of Lilly Endowment’s Strengthening Congregational Ministries with Youth initiative. In 2023, it launched a second Lilly-funded initiative aimed at empowering Catholic parents.
Rhyan Ramirez, also known as Bro Rhy, is a dynamic speaker and mentor with over 20 years of ministry experience, from local parishes to national events. With over a decade of experience in adult mental health and as a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) educator, he brings a unique perspective to his work. His commitment to his personal and professional growth is re ected in his recent associate degree in Theology from Franciscan University and his current pursuit of a Bachelor’s in Professional Studies with a focus on Industrial Organizational Psychology. Bro Rhy is especially excited and grateful to be a coach for the NFCYM Accompaniment project, where he is guiding 10 parishes nationwide over a 3 year span, and as one of the instructors for the EQ Saints certificate program. Rooted in faith and compassion, his work aims to inspire others to live authentically and pursue their purpose in Christ.
Cooper is a dynamic speaker, worship leader, and retreat facilitator who shares faith with honesty, humor, and passion. He draws on music, storytelling, and audience participation to help people recognize God’s presence in their lives. Over the past 20 years, Cooper has inspired youth and adults at conferences like NCYC, NCCYM, Catholic Heart Work Camp, and Steubenville – to name a few. He served four years in parish youth ministry and ten years in diocesan ministry, guiding young people and those who accompany them to live the Gospel.
His call to ministry began as a camp counselor, sparking his love for music and faith formation. Now Director of Strategic Partnerships for Newman Ministry, Cooper holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s in Pastoral Studies. He lives in Flower Mound, TX, with his wife Laura and their three sons, Eli, Keller, and Maximus.
Marisally Santiago’s ministry roots extend from her teen years when her mom started a youth ministry at their parish in Kissimmee, FL (yes, Disney was her playground!). Prior to her role in Philadelphia, she served as an Associate Director at the O ce for Youth and Young Adult Ministry with the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ where she directed Young Adult Outreach and Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry). At the same time, she served as a parish youth minister, alongside her husband, Edgar. In 2018, Marisally received her Master’s in Pastoral Ministry with a concentration on Spiritual Direction from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. Marisally has served as interim secretary for La Red (National Catholic Network of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana) where she is a member. She is also the Champion for Focus Area 3, Understand and Engage Youth as Protagonist, of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM).
Kristin has served as the Program Director of Play Like a Champion Today since the program’s inception. She leads partner relations, coordinates educational programs, and spearheads the development of new curricula. Kristin has co-authored numerous articles and publications while presenting Play Like a Champion workshops across the country. Kristin earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in theology and psychology from Notre Dame, where she was a varsity athlete on the cheerleading team.
Kelly is the Vice President of Program Development for Life Teen. She attended the University of Alabama for two years and nished her undergrad at Georgia State. She received her Master’s of Catechsis Certi cation through the University of Dayton. Upon graduation, she joined a local Core team.There she fell in love with Christ and Youth Ministry. She was the Youth Minister at St. Ann’s in Marietta, GA for twelve years. She is the recipent of the The Companions on the Journey Award which is the highest recognition from the NFCYM for a diocese to confer. In her free time, you can nd her cheering on the Crimson Tide, drinking from her emotional support water bottle, and sipping coffee.
Nicholas Stein is a founder and the Director of Bon Secours Young Adults, a ministry of the Congregation of Sisters of Bon Secours of Paris. Since its founding in 2014 in Marriottsville, Maryland the ministry has reached hundreds of young adults across the United States, Ireland, England, France and Peru through retreats, programming, and relationship-building in order to deepen their Christian call to compassion, healing, and liberation. Nicholas is also the founding chair of the Board of Directors of the National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults. He has served on several national and international initiatives in the eld of ministry with young adults and has been a sought-after speaker and consultant in the eld. He currently serves as a Consultant to the USCCB Working Group on Youth and Young Adults. He was the founding chairperson of the USCCB National Advisory Team on Young Adult Ministry and in that role helped to lead the efforts of the National Dialogue on Catholic Pastoral Ministry with Youth and Young Adults.
Mike Sylvester has served in Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the last 22 years. He currently serves as the Associate Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Charleston. With an M.A. from Franciscan University in both Theology & in Catechetics, he equips parishes to evangelize and support youth ministry.
Darius A. Villalobos serves as the Senior Project Manager for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). He previously served in the Archdiocese of Chicago in a variety of ministry roles, including youth ministry, young adult ministry, evangelization, and catechesis. He currently serves on the National Advisory Team for Young Adult Ministry of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and as a founding board member of the National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults. He was born and raised in Chicago and is a graduate of DePaul University where he received his bachelor’s degree in English and Catholic Studies. Darius is a Bernardin Scholar at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in the Master of Arts in Intercultural Ministry program. He has served as a parish RCIA director, liturgical music minister, retreat director, catechist, and youth minister.
Christopher Wesley, Executive Director of Marathon Youth Ministry, empowers ministry leaders through 20+ years of experience. He’s an author, speaker, podcast host, and MCODE™ Certified leader.
Deacon Jerry White has been serving in youth ministry for over 35 years at the parish and diocesan level. He currently serves as the Diocesan Director of the Diocese of Charleston for the past 28 years. Deacon Jerry has been awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope Francis and the St. John Bosco Accompaniment Award by the NFCYM.
In this spirit of hope, we invite you to join us in commemorating the significant milestone of 43 years of our organization’s history and service. Whether it’s $4, $43, or even $300, every gift makes a difference!
Join the celebration and help continue inspiring the next generation of Catholic leaders.
Pastoral Juvenil Hispana Coordinator,
Diocese of Austin
Diocesan Member
"NFCYM has accompanied me in reaching out to like minded professionals to better provide service (ministry) to adolescents. NFCYM has allowed me to network and grow professionally.
'Youth as Protagonists' has been essential to Pastoral Juvenil Hispana in the Diocese of Austin."
Youth Minister, St. Christopher Church
Associate Member
"The various resources have helped me keep our program exciting and vibrant. NFCYM has provided me with shared information via webinars, workshops, conferences, outreach, and opportunities that are very informative to help make my ministry successful.
NFCYM is an open forum for me to seek material, guidance and support in keeping the youth ministry program successful."
