Frequently Asked Questions

Participants

  • Any college-aged young adult who experiences same-sex desires, gender discordance, or identifies under the LGBTQ+ umbrella and wants to grow in Christian community while pursuing a traditional sexual ethic is welcome.

  • You do not need to be Catholic to participate. For participation in some of our programs, we will ask that you are actively pursuing a relationship with Christ and that you follow a traditional Christian sexual ethic for the length of the program, so that we may encourage each other in our walk towards Christ.

    Other events allow non-Christians to see what we're all about!

  • You are not alone—and you are welcome to join us. Spirit and Truth is a space for honest questions and meaningful community, not a place where you need to have everything figured out. Some of our programs ask that you follow a traditional Christian sexual ethic for the duration of your participation.

    There are also opportunities to see what it’s all about without that commitment.

  • You are invited to share at your own pace. Group discussions are structured to make space for personal experiences, but no one is pressured to speak before they are ready. For some of our programs, we ask that you have an encounter meeting with one of our student leaders, all Christians with an LGBTQ+ experience. They will want to hear a little bit about your journey with faith and gender and sexuality, but you choose which details to share.

  • Yes. We take your privacy seriously. Group leaders are trained to foster trust and uphold discretion. We ask all participants to sign a document in which they promise not to share the names of anyone participating, or divulge any vulnerable conversations from meetings. Sometimes we will share about participants under pseudonyms or with their real names only with their express permission.

  • While we provide support to those seeking to serve LGBTQ+ disciples through campus ministry, our programs are designed for college-aged young adults with an LGBTQ+ experience.

  • If you’ve ever wondered about your sexuality or gender, or felt like you don’t fit the usual boxes, you’re welcome here. You don’t need to have it all figured out—or use any particular label—to belong. Some people have clarity about their desires while others have a passing question or feeling they can’t quite name. There is no threshold you have to meet to belong. This is something we are happy to continue to talk through when members of our team first hear your story if you decide to contact us!

Student Leaders

  • No one is perfect—but leaders should be committed to growing in virtue, practicing the faith, supporting others compassionately, and striving to live a traditional Christian sexual ethic.

  • We are a Catholic organization that loves to engage with our siblings of other Christian denominations. We ask all Spirit and Truth group leaders to express the Christian values in our code of conduct and would love to have a conversation about what leading a group could look like for you as a Christian of a different denomination.

  • You will receive spiritual formation, leadership training, and practical tools for group facilitation, as well as ongoing support and mentorship from Spirit and Truth. Some of our programs ask that you follow a traditional Christian sexual ethic for the duration of your participation. There are also opportunities to see what it’s all about without that commitment.

  • Not at all. Many campuses have a small leadership team, and we will help you build one if you are starting from scratch. If you anticipate your group having more than two or three people involved, having a co-leader or a team is preferred where possible.

  • We would be happy to talk with you about what authentically representing the Truth and striving to live a traditional sexual ethic looks like when you have doubts. We would love to mutually discern this role with you.

Campus Ministers

  • Spirit and Truth seeks to enrich—not replace— Catholic campus ministry at your campus by forming LGBTQ+ disciples to invite their peers into deeper relationship with Christ and the Church.

  • You’ll serve as a supporter and advocate, not the primary facilitator. We will equip you to understand the needs of LGBTQ+ students and to empower your student leaders. We will encourage group leaders to have a mentorship relationship with you or someone you trust in your community in addition to the specific LGBTQ+ discipleship guidance they will receive from Spirit and Truth.

  • Yes. We prioritize confidentiality, pastoral sensitivity, and alignment with Church teaching. Spirit and Truth has been operating fruitfully at the University of Florida since 2021.

  • There are many LGBTQ+ students who choose — for whatever reason — not to share these experiences in their faith communities. Spirit and Truth provides a safe space to open up, for students that have that desire. You'll find that some students stay private in this area outside the group while others are excited to share about how God has loved them in this space.

  • We aim to keep all of our events free and low cost to students, and as of now there is no cost to the campus ministry to have this programming at your campus.

  • Absolutely. We encourage personal conversation before anything else. Contact us here.

Pastors

  • Yes. Spirit and Truth upholds the fullness of Catholic teaching, including its call to chastity, dignity of the person, and the pastoral model of accompaniment.

  • You can help by creating space for honest conversations, connecting interested students or ministers, and supporting the ministry with prayer or resources. You can also connect with us directly here with any questions.

  • You will always be able to connect with at least one student leader who is actively involved in the group at your campus. Because of the sensitive nature of this ministry, many participants prefer anonymity. We prioritize pastoral safety and trust above public disclosure.

  • For now, Spirit and Truth is focused on ministering to college students and young adults, and we are open to unconventional appearances of this demographic. If you have questions about whether this ministry may work at your parish, we would love to have a conversation about it!

  • Absolutely. We encourage personal conversation before anything else. Contact us here.

Parents and Families

  • Love them, pray for them, and trust that Spirit and Truth is walking with them gently and faithfully. We invite you to learn more through our media and blog posts.

  • We do not have resources directed towards parents at this time. For now, we recommend that you check out our media and blog posts.

Donors

  • Your support directly funds:

    • Training and formation for student leaders

    • Resources and programming for campus ministries

    • Ongoing mentorship and support calls

    • Scholarships for students to attend retreats and formation events

    Every gift helps bring Christ-centered community to a campus that needs it.

  • Yes. Spirit and Truth is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the law.

  • We deeply value prayer partners and advocates who share about Spirit and Truth with others who may benefit from or want to support the ministry.

    We would love to keep you informed of our prayer requests through our quarterly newsletter. You are invited to subscribe here.

  • You can give securely online through our here or set up recurring gifts. We also accept Venmo.

  • Absolutely. We encourage personal conversation before anything else. Contact us here.