Each January, Willow launches a series featuring several weeks of family related messages. At first glance, you might think a “family” theme would have limited appeal to certain demographics in our congregation. Do these messages apply only to married couples with kids? What about singles? What about college students? What about young professionals who haven’t started a family yet?

AXIS, Willow’s 18 to 20-something community, engages all these demographics, so we turned to AXIS Director Jake Smith to explore whether a family series holds weight with his crowd.

Willow Weekly: Does the Family Series appeal to those AXIS attenders who don’t fit the “married with kids” model?

Jake Smith: Surprisingly, yes. People in AXIS consistently think and dream about their future family, even if they are not married or parents yet. They wonder, “What kind of mom do I want to be? What kind of dad? How can I have a marriage that goes the distance? How can my relationships today reflect the values of family, whether or not I ever get married?” In fact, Generation Y—today’s “millenials”—rank being a great parent as their #1 goal, according to Pew Research Group. And #2? Being a great spouse. So millenials are hungry to learn skills they can employ today in building healthy relationships—and perhaps a family—down the road.

WW: Many in AXIS are single and living on their own. How do they experience “family”?

JS: Some live near family, but many have families that are out-of-state or inaccessible. Regardless, they desire healthy relationships that feel like family. Many embrace spiritual friendships as the family they build for themselves. They celebrate holidays together and create their own traditions. Viscerally, they approach AXIS as “family,” looking to peers as siblings, and to leaders as parental figures who can provide the coaching, insight, and support that might typically come from a mom or dad or grandparent.

The AXIS crowd is enthusiastic about messages on relationships, so a family series really hits home with them.

WW: What strategies does AXIS employ to help people build healthy relationships?

JS: The Gathering is AXIS’ front door for relational connection. In addition to offering  dynamic worship and challenging Bible teaching, The Gathering is an easy entry point for first-timers. We have a customized center for guests where hosts help people get connected right from their very first night. Following The Gathering is Aftermath, an unofficial assortment of hang-out opportunities where people can continue conversations off-campus and take relationships to a deeper level, or just have fun together.

AXIS small groups take relationships to the next step. We build trust by doing life together. We face conflict in healthy ways. We push through the superficial stages of relationships toward friendships built on authentic emotion, vulnerability, safety, and love.

WW: What is AXIS’ greatest relationship challenge?

Jake Smith: The breadth of our demographics. We serve 18-year-olds just entering college and 29-year-old professionals living independently in the city—and everything in between. But this is also our greatest relational strength. People in these diverse groups learn from one another and inspire each other. So the diversity is mutually beneficial.

WW: What role do millenials play in the church?

JS: Because of their stage of life, millenials often have greater freedom and fewer demands of job and family than older adults experience. So they have a greater capacity to give of their time, resources, leadership, and spiritual gifts. They can be mobilized more readily. And they are naturally drawn toward carrying their faith and mission into their world. They don’t see the world as compartmentalized; their individualistic culture doesn’t put faith in a “church compartment.” Rather, they bring God’s kingdom with them wherever they go, seeking to redeem their industry or workplace, neighborhood or school, right where they are. AXIS is about renewing our culture within our individual contexts. And that’s an influence every Christ follower needs.

WW: Is there anything else you’d like people to know about AXIS?

JS: If you’re an 18 to 20-something, come to The Gathering! You won’t regret it. It’s an incredible community of people—and a place where you can build a healthy foundation of “family” relationships based on trust and love. This Wednesday, January 11, people are signing up for AXIS small groups, which launch the following Sunday, January 15. So it’s a great week to attend.