Oklahoma Faith Network Hosted Interfaith Youth Tour

The annual initiative brought student groups together to explore different religious traditions across Oklahoma.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Religion — General

Bold vector illustration featuring simplified architectural building silhouettes on a prairie horizon, representing diverse religious traditions and interfaith cooperation. — The Oklahoma Faith Network recently concluded its 19th annual youth tour, an initiative designed to foster interfaith understanding among student groups. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Oklahoma Faith Network recently concluded its 19th annual Rex Friend Interfaith Youth Tour. The program encourages student groups to visit houses of worship to foster understanding between diverse religious communities.

Why it matters

The event continues under interim leadership as the coalition evaluates its future strategic role following a period of organizational transition and a shift in its membership base.

The interfaith youth tour has operated for 19 years, providing participants with site visits to three distinct houses of worship. The coalition currently operates under acting executive director Kat Romero following the departure of Shannon Fleck in March 2025.

The players

Oklahoma Faith Network

This coalition of religious organizations was founded in 1972 and focuses on fostering interfaith dialogue and community cooperation.

Kat Romero

She currently serves as the acting executive director tasked with guiding the organization during its leadership transition.

Shannon Fleck

She served as the executive director of the organization before leaving the position in March 2025.

Scott Spencer

He assumed the role of chairman of the Board of Directors for the organization in June 2026.

The details

During the tour, youth groups travel to sites including locations in Norman and Sulphur to engage with various faith traditions directly. The organization is currently conducting a broad survey of communion leaders and interfaith partners to help guide its strategic direction moving forward.

The organization was originally formed in 1972.
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City withdrew its membership in 2018.
The coalition rebranded from the Oklahoma Conference of Churches in November 2022.
Former executive director Shannon Fleck departed the network in March 2025.
The most recent interfaith youth tour took place on September 27, 2026.

Culture Shift

The youth tour extends the network's commitment to community-based programming established by the 2020 No Hate in the Heartland campaign. This focus reflects a broader trend among regional religious coalitions to prioritize youth-led educational initiatives over traditional top-down inter-church advocacy.

Local youth groups gain direct access to diverse religious perspectives through annual site visits that challenge existing misconceptions. The organization's current stakeholder survey provides an opportunity for community members to influence the future priorities of the state's largest interfaith coalition.

The takeaway

Ongoing transitions within long-standing religious coalitions provide a unique opening for younger generations to shape organizational priorities. Engaging in interfaith dialogue helps bridge community divides by fostering personal connections rather than relying solely on institutional affiliation.