Maybe it looks like dinner around a table.
Maybe it sounds like conversation instead of a sermon.
Maybe it happens in a coffee shop, a living room—or even online.

Recently, three leaders from Camp Mount Luther’s CaTALYST young adult community set out to explore that very question.

In late February, Chad Hershberger, Jim Vitale, and Ali Wyland traveled to Ocala, Florida, to attend the Fresh Expressions United Methodist National Gathering 2026. The three-day event brought together innovators, pastors, and practitioners from across the country who are rethinking what it means to “be the church” today.

And it wasn’t just talk.

The gathering was filled with fast-paced “Jazz Note” talks, interactive panels, and hands-on learning. But some of the most powerful moments happened outside the conference rooms—visiting local Fresh Expressions already alive in their communities.

One highlight? Dinner church.

Imagine sitting down for a meal with others, sharing food, conversation, and faith in a relaxed, welcoming space. No pews. No pressure. Just connection. For Chad, Jim, and Ali, these experiences made something clear: church doesn’t have to look traditional to be meaningful.

That’s the heart of Fresh Expressions.

At its core, the movement is about creating simple, authentic spaces where people can connect—especially those who might never walk into a traditional church. These communities take shape in all kinds of places: coffee shops, homes, parks, beaches, and online spaces. While each one is different, they share a common commitment to inclusion, accessibility, transformation, and connection.

If that sounds familiar, it should.

It’s exactly what CaTALYST is all about.

CaTALYST is Camp Mount Luther’s growing young adult faith community—designed by and for young adults who are seeking something real. It’s a space where people gather weekly (both online and in person), build relationships, serve together, and explore faith in an intentional, welcoming community.

Experiences from the gathering didn’t just inspire new ideas—they affirmed what’s already happening.

People are looking for connection.
They’re searching for belonging.
They want spaces where they can show up as they are.

And that’s what CaTALYST is striving to be.

As this community continues to grow, the insights and energy from Fresh Expressions will help shape what comes next. Not by copying a model, but by continuing to listen—to God, to one another, and to the needs of the world around us.

Because the future of church?

It might look a lot like a table, a conversation, and a community built on love.