The Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation initiative aims to partner with churches, ministers, and parents to develop strategies and resources to equip and encourage families to experience regular, substantive, holistic, family-centered spiritual formation. This program is part of a Lilly Endowment Initiative focused on Christian Parenting and Caregiving. Learn more about this innovative project in the original press release.
Phase 1 will focus on listening to the needs of parents, caregivers, churches, and ministers, and on recruiting the personnel needed to conduct this project. In the Summer of 2024, we began the work of recruiting churches to be a part of the work. In the Fall of 2024 we will host listening sessions with the participating churches to assess the needs and begin planning for a retreat in the Spring of 2025.
Phase 2 will focus on developing and implementing specific programs and materials to meet those needs, with an iterative process of refinement. We will host retreats in the Spring of 2025 and 2026 for the families from participating churches to explore strategies and resources gathered based on the listening sessions and our research.
Phase 3 will allow us to focus on how to communicate and distribute the most effective strategies and resources.
Events
Family Fun Day
September 13, 2025
In partnership with the Office of Spiritual Life, our Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation initiative will host Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 13, at noon. Join us for lunch, worship, and a football game! Registration will open in July.
Spring Retreat
March 6-8, 2026
Lodging and meals will be provided. More information for participating churches will be available in the fall.
Caraway Conference Center
4756 Caraway Mountain Road
Sophia Mountain Rd., NC 27350
Program Staff
Dr. Sarah Boberg
Asst. Professor for Christian Education
Director of Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation
Rev. Dr. Sarah Boberg, Assistant Professor for Christian Education at the Divinity School, serves as the Director of Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation. Dr. Boberg is a two-time Campbell graduate; BA in Religion and Christian Ministries and Master of Divinity. She brings 20 years of children’s ministry experience and a passion for educating children and families. She lives in Fuquay Varina with her husband, Bradley, and her two daughters.
Azizi Culpepper
Administrative Assistant
Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation Initiative
Azizi Culpeper serves as the Administrative Assistant for Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation. Azizi has a passion for real estate and decorating. She also enjoys discovering new restaurants and recipes. Originally from Rhode Island and raised in Connecticut, Azizi now considers North Carolina her home. She lives in Lillington with her husband, Chris, and has three children—Madison, Christian, and Zachary—all of whom are pursuing college educations.
Taylor Long
Graduate Assistant
Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation Initiative
Taylor long serves as the Graduate Assistant for Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation. Taylor is a Campbell University Christian Studies graduate and a current Divinity School student. She will be an integral part of the research portion of the grant. Taylor will collect articles, texts, studies, etc. to use alongside the information gathered in our listening sessions with churches as we plan for the retreats. She will also compile information and observations from our listening sessions and retreats to help direct our resource development. Taylor will also assist in administrative work as needed.